While employers may be aware of their obligation to take workplace complaints seriously, uncertainty persists around investigating allegations of misconduct properly and fairly. In this article, we shed some light on how "fairness" is defined and understood in the context of a workplace investigation, common mistakes employers make when investigating complaints, consequences of a shoddy [...]
The coronavirus lockdown measures moved many workplaces home, and in some cases, bullying and harassment have followed. Is the Future of Work Remote? A recent Gartner survey suggests that 74% of CFO's and finance leaders plan to shift at least 5% of previously on-site employees to permanently remote positions after the pandemic. And while not [...]
If you're like most people in 2020, you've probably found yourself working and leading from home, experiencing a multitude of operational complexities and concerns. One area of focus that mustn't be ignored is maintaining and promoting a professional and respectful workplace culture. When you work from home, every day might be (very) casual Friday, but [...]
Across the globe, as people continue to work from home, there is a very good chance you have employees who are experiencing, at the hands of their co-workers, personal and sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, and retaliation. And to complicate matters, while economies are starting to open back up, it is expected that for many organizations, [...]
Bullying and harassment in the workplace is a major issue that impacts not only the psychological well being of staff but also the overall health and safety of the workplace. According to a 2018 Forum Research survey, more than 55% of Canadians said they either have been bullied or have witnessed bullying on the job. Further findings [...]
Responsible employers understand their duty to maintain a safe work environment under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act or similar laws in other jurisdictions, since failure to comply can result in liability. However, changes to employment law in Canada are continuous, and employers need to be aware of the impacts. Canada's Ever-Evolving Employment Law Landscape Currently [...]
If your business is hosting a holiday party this year, facing liability issues as a result of inappropriate party behaviour is a sure fast way to douse jolly spirits. As an employer, you must do everything you can to ensure the safety of your employees and guests, especially if alcohol is involved. Holiday parties are [...]
If we can learn anything from recent workplace harassment headlines, it's that companies don't always get it right. In fact, in the case of Heidi Bassanese, a 73-year-old administrator, her employer got it very wrong. What Happened Bassanese worked in an administrative role at German Canadian News Co. Ltd (GCN) for nearly two decades before being wrongfully terminated. [...]
The #MeToo movement has opened doors and set the stage for organizations to step up and fully address behaviours that have come under scrutiny, since conversations about sexual assault and harassment in the workplace have been brought into the open. Harassment, bullying, and discrimination come in many forms, and it's the law in Alberta for [...]
Issues arise amongst employees every day, and it's your job, as the employer, to manage these differences and determine when further action is required. Issues may be brought to your attention by the affected employee, but you may also become aware when others report, or by merely observing workplace behaviour. Most office friction can be [...]
