Published Articles

March 2018

  • Engagement in the Ever-evolving World of Work

    By Karen Stone, CHRE

    We have written often in these pages about transformation – about the technological changes turning business models on their heads, and the strategic changes organizations are making in order to meet those challenges.

  • What Bill 148 Means to Employers

    It’s more than a minimum wage increase

    By Lyndee Patterson

    Ontario’s workplaces are changing. The demands of the modern consumer, the impact of new technology, the increasing individualization of career paths and the rise of the gig economy have collectively had a significant impact on how we all earn our living.

  • Rules of Engagement

    Leading organizations take a more holistic view to set the stage for better engagement

    By Melissa Campeau

    You’ve probably come across articles in the past year with titles like, “Let’s Stop Talking About Engagement” and “Why Your Engagement Strategy Doesn’t Work.” On the other hand, you’ve likely seen surveys that suggest worker engagement levels in Canada fall somewhere between middling and dismal.

  • Lending a Hand

    Community investment may be the best ROI for recruitment, engagement and retention

    By Heather Hudson

    Once upon a time, when a company wanted to give back, they’d partner with a reputable umbrella charity like the United Way, set a dollar target, hold a few fundraising events and match donations made by their employees.

  • The Purpose Revolution

    How HR can engage purpose-focused talent

    By John Izzo, Ph.D. and Jeff Vanderwielen, Ph.D.

    Every business enters the battle for top talent, whether you are fighting to recruit recent grads or top senior management. It’s not easy for anyone when trends are showing widespread talent and skill shortages across generations and around the globe. Employees clearly have the

  • Reach Out for Help

    Mental illness cannot be “fixed” alone. Just ask Margaret Trudeau, who suffered for her entire life but found solace with outside help.

    By Joel Kranc

    It’s not easy being a Trudeau. There is the constant tug-of-war with the press, the scrutiny of the public at large and the sometimes insular feelings that come with the job. Often, the pressure is too great and can lead to dealing with mental health issues in a very public way.

  • What Does the Modern Employee Really Want?

    To attract and retain the best people, you need to stay up to date with employees’ evolving needs

    By Darwyne Lang

    Millennials aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow – they’re increasingly the leaders of today. They now outnumber Generation X as the most populous group in the workforce, according to Statistics Canada. Since Millennials will represent 75 per cent of the workforce by 2025, understanding what

  • How to Retain Your Staff Through Recognition

    Five key strategies that are low cost, low effort and high impact

    By Sarah McVanel

    The exponential power of recognition is when recognition catches you off-guard and makes a beeline for the emotional centres of your brain. The element of surprise makes recognition more meaningful and memorable; we’re so caught up in our daily life, working as hard as we

  • How HR can Protect Company Value

    A company’s policies can make all the difference during acquisition

    By Evert Akkerman

    Recently, one company decided against buying another because the organization for sale lacked basic HR structure. Specifically, there were no written employment contracts and policies or a formal performance appraisal process.

  • Individualized Recognition Key to Employee Trust, Engagement

    By Alison Grenier and Sarah McVanel

    It’s fair to say that most organizations have some way of recognizing their best people. In fact, the Conference Board of Canada’s (CBOC) 2017 report, “The Power of Appreciation,” shows that Canadian organizations spend on average $139 per FTE annually on employee recognition.

  • Meet the HR Influencers: Ernie Gross, CHRE, ACC

    Blazing a New Trail

    By Lisa Gordon

    In his 33-year career with TD Canada Trust, Ernie Gross has worn many hats.

    And while staying with any employer for more than three decades is somewhat of an anomaly these days, Gross couldn’t be happier. After an initial stint in management, followed by 25 years in human resources, he recently landed his dream job.