HRdownloads Blog

People tend to talk about self-care in apologetic terms, making excuses for why they took vacation or went for a walk on their break, or any of the more expensive and ostentatious behaviours people call ‘self-care’, but why? It seems obvious that self-care is important. Everyone needs a break, and our mental and emotional health need looking after just like our physical health does, so it shouldn’t feel controversial to take steps to protect ourselves from burnout or stress or just not feeling our best. And yet excuse-making persists, suggesting that there’s something about how we conceptualize self-care that feels indulgent or guilty to us.

We received many questions during our recent webinar, “COVID-ucation: Employers, Parents, School, and the Pandemic”. In a difficult time like this, we wanted to make sure the answers to these challenging questions were available, so we’ve created another multi-part question series on our blog to help ensure employers and HR professionals have access to the information they need.

There has been a lot of discussion in the media recently surrounding the second wave of COVID-19. Areas considered to be hot spots have been implementing additional public health measures, and some have been ordered by their provincial governments to move back to earlier stage restrictions. Many employers are questioning what to do if they are ordered to revert to modified early stages.

We received many questions during our recent webinar, “COVID-ucation: Employers, Parents, School, and the Pandemic”. In a difficult time like this, we wanted to make sure the answers to these challenging questions were available, so we’ve created another multi-part question series on our blog to help ensure employers and HR professionals have access to the information they need.

We received many questions during our recent webinar, “COVID-ucation: Employers, Parents, School, and the Pandemic”. In a difficult time like this, we wanted to make sure the answers to these challenging questions were available, so we’ve created another multi-part question series on our blog to help ensure employers and HR professionals have access to the information they need.

Many schools across Canada finally re-opened in September, leaving most employees who have school-aged children stressed. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, 74% of parents were very or extremely concerned about balancing childcare, school, and work. With disruptions to the school year still possible, employers may find themselves having to make difficult decisions.

“Are you exhibiting any flu-like symptoms?” Our primary COVID-19 screening question is about to become a lot more complicated as we enter the annual flu season. We know little at this point about how these viruses will interact, but health officials do know that coinfection is possible.

Until more is uncovered about these potential consequences, it is possible that we will see continued or further restrictions to mitigate the predicted double burden on our healthcare system, availability of personal protective equipment, and potential surge in cases. Employers and HR professionals should be prepared as we head into flu season to answer difficult questions from employees and continue to prioritize health and safety.

In a time of great uncertainty, people crave information. With so many unanswerable questions, any sign of sure knowledge is welcome. That said, some of those answers people clamour for are difficult, even dangerous. The information is frightening or complex or incomplete, all of which can lead to greater uncertainty rather than relief. Consequently, it might seem better simply not to provide those difficult answers at all, but this is neither a realistic nor a wise solution. As Emily Dickinson urges, you should be forthright and honest about the reality of a difficult situation, but there are methods that work for telling unthinkable truths, and methods that don’t.

For employees, a paid holiday is a welcome treat, but for employers, coordinating all the details can be a headache. It’s easier if you’re closed for the day, but many businesses, especially small ones, can’t close completely and therefore have to worry about substitute days off and calculating pay for working on a holiday.

The rules are intricate and varied, and the issues can be uncommon enough that employers don’t have the knowledge of habit to guide them. Unfortunately, employers have to master these rules; failing to pay an employee what they’re entitled to, or failing to give them the legislated time off, can land employers in serious legal trouble.

In May 2020, we surveyed our clients to learn whether employers are having any compensation challenges and whether their priorities have shifted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada. We we’re happy to have received over 550 completed surveys, giving us (and now you!) great insights into how businesses are doing across the county.

From the results, we uncovered important information and surprising data, which helped us shape the content and support we create for our clients. We were interested to learn that approximately 38% of respondents had applied for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), designed to help organizations keep their team employed. A good thing to hear was that almost 64% of respondents did not have to reduce or freeze wages. But there is so much more we can all learn from how other businesses dealt with the effects of COVID-19.