HR Advice Blog

More than eight months ago, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic. Since then, the pandemic has impacted more than just our health, it has impacted our day-to-day lives and every sector within our economy. We have been forced to adapt to a new way of doing things in an effort to slow down and stop the spread of the disease. Some of these changes have exposed us to a better way of doing things, and others have caused us more hardship. Work is a major component of our day-to-day lives, and with over half of Canadians working in full-time positions it has created compelling needs for organizations to modify their practices. This includes processes as we … Read More

When it comes to sexual harassment in BC, employees are protected by the Occupational Health and Safety regulations (WorkSafeBC) and the B.C. Human Rights Code. Though these laws are put in place to address workplace bullying and harassment and protect individuals against sexual harassment, at times it can be difficult to distinguish between acts of sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace. An example that demonstrates the factors that are considered when distinguishing between the two is a labour arbitration involving a relationship between a subforeman and an apprentice, employed by BC Hydro, that took place in 2015; the arbitration decision was made recently, on September 11, 2020. The Back Story The subforeman, a male employee of 17 years, was … Read More

The following article was originally published in InnFocus magazine, Fall 2020 Edition. See it online at:https://www.emcmarketing.com/sites/emcmarketing.com/files/file_upload/InnFocus/2020/InnFocus_Fall_2020.pdf by Amy Saini BC has long held a reputation of a highly desirable destination for tourism and adventure. The province has much to offer with rugged and awe-inspiring nature, vibrant cities, and a strong multicultural and diverse society. It is no surprise that tourism numbers continue to soar year after year in beautiful British Columbia. Tourism has been a driving force in the globalization that shapes BC. Consequently, the hotel industry is always in the forefront as the world changes around us, pushing the industry to continuously evaluate its practices, stay competitive, and meet the needs of its guests and workforce. Successful hotels are … Read More

Sunday, June 21, 2020 is summer solstice where we all welcome the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer. It is also National Indigenous Peoples Day where we can recognize and celebrate the rich and diverse heritage, culture and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Pictured above are the Stó:lō welcome figures at the Chilliwack Visitors Centre. The two figures, one man and one woman, stand with their hands raised in a gesture of welcome. There are many First Nations welcome centres and museums in our country that I have visited and a long list of ones that I have yet to see. This year I planned on joining one of the many events … Read More

I became an active volunteer largely because of the influence of great business leaders and mentors who were significant supporters and advocates for making a difference in the communities in which they operated. The more I engaged in a volunteer capacity the more perspective I developed regarding those less fortunate in society, and the personal value, personal growth and often immediate results that can be achieved from helping where needed. From an organizational perspective encouraging employees and providing support systems for employees to engage in volunteerism, is a great way to build community within employee groups, and with the community at large. I have heard many employees speak proudly of their employer who allowed them to follow their heart and … Read More

The following article was originally published in The Quarterly Pour magazine, Winter 2019 Edition. See it online at:https://www.emcmarketing.com/sites/emcmarketing.com/files/file_upload/Publican/2019/Quarterly_Pour_Winter_2019.pdf by Kevin Woolliams The human resources concept of total compensation is that all compensation—not just wages—should be included in the calculation of what employees make. Following this concept, total compensation includes wages, benefits, retirement plans, vacation and paid leave days, and work-life benefits (aka perks). The entire employment package should be designed to attract, retain, reward, and motivate your employees’ commitment and performance. The concept applies across any industry, but in hospitality, you also have to factor in how tips contribute to your compensation package. In the current economic conditions, most managers and owners are acutely aware of wages. Minimum wages are … Read More

The following article was originally published in InnFocus magazine, Summer 2018 Edition. See it online at:https://www.emcmarketing.com/sites/emcmarketing.com/files/file_upload/InnFocus_Summer_2018.pdf by Veronica Lyver William Kahn, a professor of Organizational Behavior at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, wrote “Psychological Conditions of Personal Engagement and Disengagement at Work” in 1990. He found that for an employee to feel engaged, they had to: Feel that their work was meaningful and made a difference Feel valued, trusted, and respected Feel secure and self-confident In other words, the more an employee feels part of a community, the more likely it is that they are engaged with what they do. It seems quite simple, but it’s surprisingly easy and common to overlook these factors. The changes to the job … Read More

The following article was originally published in The Publican magazine, Summer 2018 Edition. See it online at:https://www.emcmarketing.com/sites/emcmarketing.com/files/file_upload/Publican_Summer_2018.pdf by Heather Johnson Recruiting and retaining good employees is challenging and will likely become more difficult as the workforce ages and is replaced by younger employees with different outlooks on work. This new outlook is often referred to as “employee experience”. For years businesses have been focusing on creating the right customer experience and now need to spend an equal amount of time developing the employee experience. Simply put, this means focusing on the employee touchpoints at work, and how those affect the employee’s thinking and attitudes and lead them to behave in specific ways. Many organizations are now putting the employee first … Read More