business
CANNABIS
IN THE
WORKPLACE
WILL EMPLOYERS EVER BE READY?
By Paula Allen
Creating new policies and revising existing processes to
address new legislation is commonplace in business.
Whether it’s the introduction of new legislation or a
shift in demographics, change is constant in the work-place
and sits on a continuum – some larger and some more
modest, but all have impact.
This year, Canadian employers are facing the upcoming
legalization of recreational cannabis, which will come into
effect on October 17, 2018. Pending the Cannabis Act becom-ing
law, there has been extensive commentary on whether or
not employers are prepared for its impact in the workplace.
While organizations recognize this change and are beginning
to review policies, it poses the question: will employers ever
be ready for the changes that the workplace will face?
Given the introduction of new legislation and emerg-ing
issues that arise from those changes, it’s important that
employers don’t remain static and continually look for ways
to adapt to changing environments. The legalization of recre-ational
cannabis is just one of these steps.
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