Going Against the Grain – Staffing up during COVID
By Michele MactaggartFew small businesses moved through the pandemic without experiencing monumental change. For one company, the “pandemic pivot” didn’t mean retreating but instead providing full-time jobs with benefits. Two years ago (almost to the day), when panic and uncertainty prevailed, businesses of all sizes across the country were forced to make some difficult decisions. Finances were […]
Keeping Talent Through Corporate Social Responsibility
By Michele MactaggartNo one likes losing things, whether it be your keys, your wallet, or your lucky pencil. The same goes for amazing employees. That familiar “where did I put them?” becomes “where did we go wrong?”. Losing talent is inevitable in running an organization – if you’re lucky, it won’t be often (no one likes a […]
Protecting your Assets: Addressing Workplace Mental Health in 2022
By Michele MactaggartWith most of us considering the mind the greatest asset in business, it’s only natural that we’re nurturing it in every capacity. Workplace mental health has become more than just words on a page in an employee manual – it’s become a fundamental pillar in an organization’s presence – and ultimately, its sustainable success. Collectively, […]
Long COVID may affect Long Term Disability claims
By Michele MactaggartLong Term Disability (LTD) insurance is increasingly becoming an important component of an employer’s compensation package. Not only does it help recruit and keep the best possible talent, disability insurance also gives employees – and their employers – the peace of mind that if they are unable to work for an extended period, the insurance […]
The Financial Literacy Imperative of 2020
By Victoria Miron VranićNovember is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. Current circumstances have contributed to a heightened insecurity about business and personal finance. So, we thought it was appropriate to talk about what financial literacy means during unstable times and consider the elements needed for financial wellness. In the June 2020 article in Benefits Canada, Kelsey Rolfe reported that employees were […]
Company Culture = Future Resilience
By Victoria Miron Vranić“Culture matters because it has a direct effect on people factors such as employee engagement and motivation; and productivity factors such as product and customer service quality. Basically, organizational culture has a direct impact on the long-term viability of the organization.” That’s according to Allan M. Stewart, President of Human Synergistics Canada. But in the last five months, few small […]
Stress-Less Tips for Returning Employees to the Workplace
By Victoria Miron VranićIt’s finally happening. The moment small business owners across Ontario have been waiting for: Stage 3. While all of us aren’t there yet, we’ve been preparing for the transition to reopening since we first went into isolation. Things will be different when we return to our daily routines. Not everyone will be coming back into […]
Flexibility has its Benefits
By Victoria Miron VranićManagement didn’t want it. The job function wasn’t a match. Technology needed to support it, unavailable. And productivity would suffer, without a doubt. Put a big red X through flexible working arrangements and file it in the round bin. Yet less than two years after the Conference Board of Canada survey found the previously mentioned […]
Is Your Data Remotely Safe?
By Victoria Miron VranićSimple tips to keeping your small business data digitally secure in remote environments Working from home started out as a short-term fix to comply with the Ontario government’s physical distancing laws. Unsure of how long the new rules would be in place, many employees packed up their personal belongings, their laptop computers if they had […]
Benefit Plans – Lifelines for Employees and Employers
By Victoria Miron VranićRight now, we need to pull together and support one another, yet we find ourselves working remotely or facing decisions as to whom to keep on staff and whom to lay off. At a time like this, the way you respond as a leader will set the tone for how your company will weather the […]
