The workplace is undergoing major changes right now. Staff, especially in smaller businesses, may be feeling insecure. When toilet paper becomes the hottest commodity in the marketplace, you know something’s just not right. Staying a metre away from colleagues and customers, working from home, self-isolation, and staycations pretty much sums up life in Ontario now, and for the foreseeable future. It’s easy to see how...
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Welcome to January! It’s a time of renewed business and personal goals after what was, hopefully, a restful holiday. But the weather has been terrible, and everyone seems to have the flu. The days are short and dark, and the added injury—holiday bills have started to arrive. It’s not surprising that well-intentioned resolutions fail in the first half of January. With the endless stretch before...
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Depending on the size of your business, you may rely on data from your HR department to let you know how you’re doing in terms of employee costs, and those dreaded losses from absenteeism. In the smallest of businesses, employers are tracking HR analytics—even if it’s as simple as a conversation at the water cooler. “Where’s Pat?” “Out sick, again. Second time this week.” You...
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In the ongoing exploration of employee productivity and retention, we continue to investigate the connection that wellness and benefits play in providing the greatest ROI to employers. In the face of compelling statistics, many companies are learning that the choice of providing robust benefit packages really isn’t much of a choice at all. In 2016, the Sunlife Canada Health Index showed that 84 per cent...
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‘Employee wellness’ has become a major buzzword in the industry and for good reason. Healthy and happy employees are more productive, take fewer sick days and are more motivated, which directly affects a company’s bottom line. Here are a few tips for supporting employee health and wellness in your business: Set Individual Goals A wellness plan shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all plan. Hire a wellness consultant...
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Recent studies have shown that over 75 percent of people are affected by their stress levels linked to their financial state. This problem affects not only employees but also businesses in more than one way. If a person is stressed about their financial obligations and making ends meet, then they can’t focus on their jobs and will find it difficult to add value to your...
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Healthy living isn’t always easy living, but it’s worth it. Though, healthy living doesn’t need to be as challenging as some make it out to be. Sometimes all that’s needed is a simple reframe to make health challenges all the more possible. If you have an office looking to shake of the winter dust and spring into a healthier Summer, the #mayhealth challenge in Guelph...
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Those Spring colours and warm weather are sure to bring a boost of positivity and focus to the workplace. But how can we step it up a notch? It’s important not to get too focused on productivity or grinding out your days for maximum output. But those who create happy states of mind for themselves are also more likely to have a happier, and therefore,...
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You may have heard news of the new 2018 Federal Budget which has implemented some changes for small businesses. The federal government has put heavy emphasis on creating a new plan that will lower some taxes for small businesses as well as encourage more equitable treatment for women, both as employees and business owners. From a small business benefits perspective, we were interested to see...
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects 4-6% of Canadians in their lifetime, but another 15% experience a milder form of SAD. SAD is a type of depression which is related to the changes in seasons. Mayo Clinic says some of the “signs and symptoms may include: Having low energy, having problems with sleeping, having difficulty concentrating, feeling sluggish or agitated, feeling depressed most of the day...
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