In the aftermath of the holiday season hustle and bustle, it's natural to feel down. You may notice you feel more tired, less motivated, or just not quite like yourself. You might even feel anxious or depressed. It is important to know that you are not alone. Many people suffer from the winter blues, and each person has their own way of working through it. There are countless ways you can manage these feelings and care for yourself. Finding what works best for you may take some exploration. We are here to provide you with more information about the winter blues and inspire you with some ideas for...

You have something to say, and you have put great consideration into just what information to include, which words to wield, and the audience you are approaching. But have you thought about which communication mediums will deliver your message most effectively? This choice can seem obvious or even arbitrary, but the way people receive information can be more impactful than the information itself. Canadian communication theorist and the father of media studies Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “The medium is the message”[1], highlighting the importance of how we relay information. The same message delivered through different communication mediums can have a vastly different impact. For example, breaking up...

Canada’s National Day for Truth & Reconciliation was established on September 30, 2021 and coincides with Orange Shirt Day. This day serves to memorialize the tragic history of the residential school system and the echoing impacts today. On September 30th, Canadians honour those who have felt the trauma of residential schools – the children who never came home, the survivors, their families, and their communities. The Residential School System of Canada Today, schools are a place of learning and conversation. We feel safe sending our children to school for the day, and are equally confident in the knowledge that they will come home each evening. However, this was...

Our technology and securities are continually improving, but so are hackers and their malicious software. The standard practice of choosing strong passwords, while important, is not enough anymore. Take a moment to consider the digital accounts that you commonly access. You will likely notice a trend across these platforms now requiring multiple steps to verify who is trying to login to the account. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is a process using two or more credentials in combination to verify a user’s identity. These credentials will fall into three categories: Something you know: like a password, passphrase, or PIN Something you have: like a security token or security code Something...

In today’s workplace, many of us can relate to the fast-paced environments that leave us feeling challenged and accomplished. There are strong positive points for the constantly moving environments; people are adapting faster, as well as developing and strengthening competencies like time management and problem-solving. These environments are fostering innovation. However, when these environments are unmanaged and unbalanced, they can cause people to experience a heightened state of stress. When researching how to reduce stress, you will likely come across resources recommending that you find sources of stability. Balancing your nervous system is an excellent way to not only reduce stress, but to address it at the source....

No one wants to fall victim to fraudulent letters or scams and with today’s technologies, these cons can arrive in a number of ways, whether that be through direct mail or email. These letters sound convincing as they can impersonate an attorney, financial institution, or government agency. It is best to be cautious, especially when receiving unexpected communication, and learn how to detect warning signs. It is always a good practice to take a second look at an official letter or email and never click on the link provided or respond to a phone number included, even if your initial take is that the communication is real. If...

As summer comes to a close, employees are taking vacations to try to enjoy the last of the warm weather. But if they are leaving the country, they should be prepared and make sure that they are covered by travel insurance for any unforeseen accidents. There are many reasons to book travel insurance before planning a vacation. What if an emergency happens and flights needs to be cancelled? What if luggage is lost? What if there is a medical mishap and a visit to a hospital is required? What happens if you are pickpocketed? Luckily, most basic travel insurance policies cover these unexpected events and will help reimburse...

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for our overall health, which is why most employers make sure to include dental plans in their employee benefits packages. Even if you follow a diligent oral hygiene routine, it is always good to take advantage of your dental benefits to be certain there are no surprises. Your dental hygienist is a professional doctor that is looking out for your health and you should visit them just as often as you would your family doctor. It is highly recommended that adults visit their dentist regularly at least once a year, however some people may go sooner if their benefits plan allow them...

If an employee is injured at work, there are responsibilities on both the employee and the employer when a claim is made through the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). It is important to note that all workers have a right to make a WCB claim if they are hurt at work and that it is against the law for an employer or supervisor to ask an employee not to report an injury. The first step is to inform your employer of your injury. Try to give as much detail as possible if you are able to immediately. In the event your treatment requires more than basic first aid, you...

The very first email was sent in 1971, and since then the world has grown to use email as an effective means of communication in the workplace. Over 300 billion emails are sent daily, with the average worker receiving 121 emails per day. With so many emails going back and forth, its important that the message you are sending stands out from the rest so it can be noticed, read, and actioned as needed. Tailor you email to your audience – Before sitting down to write out your email, spend some time thinking about the recipient and what kind of communication they would expect. You might need a...