The effects of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan are far-reaching and deeply felt by many.  When events like this transpire, communities are in need of support and help.  A traumatic event is any situation that causes a person to experience unusually strong emotional reactions that have the potential to interfere with their ability to function normally at work or at home.  Coping with and overcoming these reactions can sometimes seem overwhelming. Our partner in providing excellent Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) services, Morneau Shepell, has a number of resources on which to draw.  Immediate and confidential EFAP services are accessible 24/7/365 and it is important...

Winter brings with it frigid temperatures, snowy days, and sometimes a case of the winter blues.  If you find yourself feeling sluggish and having trouble getting out of bed in the morning during the dark and cold winter months; try the following things to help brighten your mood, and lighten your day: Exercise: Don’t have time to go to the gym every day? No problem! Even a 15 minute walk during the day can have a dramatic impact on your mood.  Try a new winter sport! Skating, skiing and snowshoeing are just a few of the fun things you can do during the colder months. Eat Right: Make...

The Federal Government is making changes to the rules governing maternity and parental leave in Canada. The updated rules will come into effect on December 3rd, 2017 and will only apply to parents eligible for these benefits after this date. Here is what you need to know: Women will be able to begin their maternity benefit claim 12 weeks prior to their due date. This has increased from the current 8 weeks. New parents will be able to choose the option to extend parental leave from the current 12 months to 18 months of combined maternity and parental leave. If the 12 month option is chosen, the leave...

As temperatures drop and snow flies, the number of injuries due to slips, trips, and falls increases.  Workers can suffer bruises, abrasions, broken limbs, cracked ribs, serious back and/or head injuries, often resulting in time off work.  In Canada, more than 42,000 workers get injured annually due to falls, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Statistics show the majority (66%) are due to slips and trips on the same level. The remaining (34%) are falls from heights, such as ladders, stairs, or roofs. While much attention is given to prevent workers falling from elevations, the reality is that anyone can slip, trip, and possibly fall on...

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) have a new way to measure workplace health and safety. They have developed a new tool, the Health and Safety Index, to measure the overall health and safety of workplaces. The Health and Safety Index is the first index of its kind in North America. It is an evidence-based tool that condenses a wide range of data into a single measure to show how workplaces overall are performing from year to year – how safe they are, and whether they’re getting safer. The index was designed so that it can be adapted by other workers’ compensation boards across Canada. It will...

We all know that smoking, stress, inactivity and poor diet can lead to increased risk of disease and result in rising healthcare costs.  At work these factors also contribute to absenteeism, disability claims, poor work performance, and the use of healthcare benefits. As an employer what can you do to help curb this trend? Consider starting a Wellness Program. A wellness program is designed to maintain or improve the well-being of your employees through proper diet, exercise, stress management, and illness prevention.  Study after study confirms that workplace wellness programs reduce healthcare costs, reduce stress, increase productivity, boost morale, and lead to happier employees with better job satisfaction. There is...

This month’s edition of “Inside HRA” highlights a review of the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board that was completed in July 2017: “In March 2016, the Government of Alberta established a panel to review Alberta’s workers’ compensation system including the Workers’ Compensation Board. In July 2017, the Alberta Workers' Compensation Review Panel submitted their final report and recommendations to the government. Albertans are invited to provide their feedback on the Panel's recommendations. The panel’s recommendations include several legislative, policy and structural changes that are designed to bring about a worker-centered system that features greater independence, transparency, stakeholder engagement, and accountability. For more information on this report and what it...

With sunny days upon us, whether you’re at a job site or the beach, here are some sun smart tips to help keep you and your family sun safe and protected. Check your local weather for the current UV index. Follow these 5 tips whenever the UV index is 3 or higher! Just Remember… SLIP… SLIP ON A SHIRT Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible SLOP… SLOP ON THE SUNSCREEN Every day! Get a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more Remember concrete, sand, water and snow can reflect the UV rays back at you Reapply every 2 hours regardless of the...

“Always something” is my latest attitude to maintaining consistency when it comes to my exercise routine.  Consistency is the absolute requirement when it comes to the achievement of any health goal, whether it’s a lofty weight loss number, a Personal Record on a big lift, becoming the star of your beer-league team, or simply to stay healthy.  Consistency can be incredibly difficult, amidst all the other demands on our time. Finding an activity that you actually like will go a long way towards achieving consistency with exercise.  It’s a great idea to try out different activities to find ones you like.  We need a variety of resistance (weight...

The 2017 workplace is filled with employees who are trying to find balance between work duties and responsibilities, and providing support as a caregiver for a loved one. Compassionate care has been offered in the past to caregivers tending to someone with a prognosis of eminent death.   The Federal government has started to review this policy and is starting to expand the restriction to allow increased benefits through Employment Insurance for those caregivers who are supporting and caring for someone with a chronic condition. Employers should also be aware of this common situation and look to help employees create a balance between working and filling the role of...