By: Kristina Kovacevic, Principal Consultant, People & Culture Yes. Ontario employers can temporarily lay off employees in 2026, but only where the layoff complies with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the employer has considered its contractual and human rights obligations. The answer is no longer as simple as checking a calendar and counting […]
Can Ontario Employers Temporarily Lay Off Employees in 2026? Read More »
By: Dessie Barton, People & Culture Consultant No employer expects to receive a workplace complaint, but every employer should be prepared for one. Whether the issue involves workplace harassment, bullying, discrimination, workplace violence, retaliation, or another form of misconduct, the way an organization responds can significantly impact employee trust, legal risk, and workplace culture. Across
By: Dessie Barton A mid-year HR review gives Canadian employers an opportunity to catch compliance gaps, pay equity issues, performance concerns, and workforce risks while there is still time to address them. Many organizations only take a hard look at their people practices during budgeting or year-end planning. By then, options may be limited and
Mid-Year HR Review: What Canadian Employers Should Check Now Read More »
By: Kristina Kovacevic Somewhere in your organization right now, an employee is probably pasting a client email into ChatGPT to get help drafting a reply. Someone else might be running a spreadsheet of customer data through an AI tool to “clean it up.” Neither of them is trying to cause a problem. They’re just trying
Why Your Company Needs an AI Use Policy Read More »
By: Kristina Kovacevic The first sunny week of June hits, and half the inbox turns into vacation requests overnight. Operations worries about coverage. Managers worry about fairness. Employees worry they’ll miss out if they don’t ask first. In British Columbia, those worries sit on top of real legal entitlements under the Employment Standards Act (ESA):
By: Kristina Kovacevic The real risk is not underperformance, it’s avoidance Think about the underperformance issue you have quietly tolerated for months. The extended probation. The performance improvement plan still sitting in drafts. The ‘we’ll see how next quarter goes’ conversation that never quite happened. Most managers are not avoiding the issue because they don’t
Before Termination: How BC Employers Should Handle Employee Underperformance Read More »
By Kristina Kovacevic Is your policy handbook sitting on a shelf collecting dust? British Columbia’s workplaces are changing fast. From pay transparency to expanded leave entitlements, new legislation is reshaping what it means to be a compliant employer in 2025. But the truth is: compliance alone isn’t enough anymore. HR policies can no longer
How BC Employers Can Update HR Policies to Stay Compliant Read More »
By: Dessie Barton The holiday season brings unique challenges for organizations as they balance operational needs with employees’ personal commitments. Whether your workplace experiences a slowdown or a spike in demand, creating fair and thoughtful holiday schedules is essential for maintaining morale, productivity, and customer service. 1. Start Planning Early The earlier you begin
Best Practices for Creating Holiday Work Schedules Read More »
By Kristina Kovacevic Terminations are never easy. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or navigating your first time letting someone go, it’s one of the most difficult tasks you’ll face as a leader. It’s not just about delivering the message; it’s about ensuring that the process is respectful, legally compliant, and clearly documented. In British
BC’s Rules on Termination and Severance: A Guide for Employers Read More »
By Dessie Barton Most of us think of an employee handbook as a dusty PDF or a day-one onboarding formality—but in 2025, it’s a core component of your HR strategy. A strong employee handbook balances clarity, compliance, and culture while serving as a living reference point for evolving workplace realities. In BC and beyond, employers
Employee Handbook 2025: More Than Just a Binder on a Shelf Read More »
