By recognizing cultural differences, organizations ease stress and allow people to bring their authentic selves to work, improving well-being, performance and retention, says Eddy Ng, professor of equity and inclusion in business at Queen’s University. “If employees don’t feel like they belong, they don’t feel safe. They’re constantly paying what I call the inclusion tax […]
South Asian women remain one of the most educated yet under-utilized groups in Canada’s workforce, facing persistent barriers to progression despite record immigration levels. Canada’s immigration levels more than doubled in recent years to 1.4 million annually and while South Asians made up the largest share of newcomers, they face uneven workforce integration, particularly women, […]
Nearly seven in 10 (67 per cent) employees say they’d deliver 20 per cent to 50 per cent more output if they were recognized by their employer more often, according to a new survey by the Achievers Workforce Institute. The survey, which polled 3,600 global employees, found just 23 per cent feel meaningfully recognized at […]
At Metrolinx, diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just initiatives, they’re woven into the fabric of how the Ontario transportation agency operates. “We know that fostering an inclusive culture isn’t a one-time effort, it’s an ongoing commitment that requires action, accountability and continuous learning,” says Ramneet Aujla, the organization’s chief human resources officer. “And […]
With all the focus on women’s health in the workplace in the past year, employers should be providing more support for pregnant employees by improving their financial security, having open discussions around symptoms and offering more flexibility. As a soon-to-be first-time mom — who was unsure how she felt about becoming pregnant at first — my […]
Joey Restaurant Group is using an internal educational program to teach employees the soft skills of leadership and assist in their career development. By focusing on two specialized streams — hospitality and culinary arts, and leadership and business management — the company has been able to identify talent at early stages and offer tailored, accelerated courses […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan’s extensive benefits coverage and focus on cross-collaboration landed the company a win in the Mental Health Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. The HOOPP’s mental-health strategy is designed to drive a program that educates and empowers employees and their […]
Peel Region’s extensive collection of data and strong results led to a win in the Mental Health Program category for employers with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. In 2019, Peel Region developed a psychological health and safety framework — the Me-We-Us Framework — and committed to adopting the Canadian […]
Éric Trudel’s long leadership and oversight tenure across roles in the insurance industry resulted in a win at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. The executive vice-president and leader of group insurance at Beneva Inc. won the Industry Leadership award for his commitment to resourceful solutions for both benefits plan members and […]
Young workers can face unique challenges when entering the workforce or starting a new job and it’s up to employers to help ease that transition, says Ashley Sardjoe, head of people and organization at Novartis Canada. “We have robust onboarding programs in place to support younger workers. I think the biggest challenge we see is […]