Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

For millions of Canadians, working remotely from home has become commonplace since the pandemic began.

 

Whether they are working at a desk in a spare room, rec-room or even the kitchen table, many Canadians have had more than a year to adapt to this new COVID-19 reality which continues to see our work habits evolve the longer it continues.

 

In fact, according to a Statistics Canada survey, nearly one-quarter of Canadian businesses expect that 10% or more of their workforce will continue to work remotely post-pandemic. That same survey indicates at least 25% of Canadian businesses will offer their employees the option to work remotely, while at least 14% said they will make it a requirement.

 

 

“I really think it’s going to change the landscape of your workforce in the traditional sense,” says Brandy Ireland, Business Development Manager with Peninsula Canada.

 

The company, created in 2017, offers expert advisors to provide HR, health and safety and employment support to SMEs.

 

“I think a lot of offices are going to be more of a co-operative space where people will have more flexibility,” she says, noting this will be a positive move for those who may find themselves with a sick child and no longer have to take the day off. “Before, you’d have to take a full day off and then try to play catch up. So, it’s stressful being at home dealing with a sick child and knowing you have all this stuff building up at work.”

 

But there are also negatives, as many of those who are working remotely have discovered, such as mental health issues and productivity concerns.

 

These are some of the topics Brandy will touch on at our May 18 YIP Growth Learning Series event: ‘Workplace Discipline in a Remote World’. Her discussion will feature tips for employers that they can utilize to promote work productivity remotely, including clearly outlining necessary policies to ensure all parties are in agreement.

 

“We want to make sure you’re all singing from the same song sheet and understanding the expectations because that can really help,” says Brandy. “On the side of HR, there are no laws mandating what these policies need to look like. You just want to make sure you’re using the proper legal language to make sure it’s conveying the correct expectations.”

 

These include policies around such thing as a drugs and alcohol use.

 

“You have to make sure there can be no assumptions made,” she says.

Brandy says expectations could also change if an employee wishes to work remotely from another province, or even a different country.

 

“There’s going to be different implications based on where the employee may want to move to,” she says, noting occupational and health safety issues, as well at the Employment Standards Act, are different in each province. “You would have to adjust your contracts and your language. Also, if they move out of the country there could be tax implications and the employer would need to understand the tax restrictions of where they’re moving to.”

 

Besides work-related expectations, Brandy will also touch on the mental health issues now surfacing for many employers.

 

“I have had a lot of calls and claims coming from the mental health side of things and stress associated calls with workers feeling over-worked and uneasy, especially in light COVID-19 and the restrictions. People are just really lonely and tired of being stuck at home with no interaction,” she says, adding one of her tips will be to encourage employers to host team building activities. “It could be hosting a game night, or a game hour during lunch on a Friday. Or just trying to do some team building exercise as people transition into the weekend.”

 

Brandy says the need for empathy is one takeaway she hopes participants will receive at the Growth Series event.

 

“A lot of people are dealing with a lot of different situations in their households,” she says, adding many be trying to share their new ‘workspaces’ with spouses or children learning online. “There’s going to be specific and individuals stresses they are dealing with including anxiety and family. You really have to be empathetic.”

 

Also, Brandy says the need for clear communication and proper documentation will be other important takeaways.

 

“You want to make sure you’re doing what you can to provide a stable environment in an unstable situation,” she says.

 

Our YIP Growth Series: ‘Workplace Discipline in a Remote World’ event will take place Tuesday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to noon. Sponosred by Deluxe  For more, visit https://bit.ly/3vma3SX

add a comment
Subscribe to this Blog Like on Facebook Tweet this! Share on LinkedIn

Contributors

Blog Contributor Portrait
Brian Rodnick
190
March 17, 2024
show Brian 's posts
Blog Contributor Portrait
Greg Durocher
41
July 28, 2023
show Greg's posts
Blog Contributor Portrait
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
24
January 29, 2021
show Canadian Chamber's posts
Blog Contributor Portrait
Cambridge Chamber
2
March 27, 2020
show Cambridge 's posts

Latest Posts

Show All Recent Posts

Archive

Tags

Everything Manufacturing Cambridge Events Spectrum New Members Taxes Region of Waterloo The Chamber Property Taxes Government Waste Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Networking Success Di Pietro Ontario Chamber of Commerce Greg Durocher Scott Bridger Food Blog Canada Ontario Cambridge Memorial Hospital Business After Hours Discounts Member Benefits Affinity Program Web Development Visa, MasterCard, Debit Big Bold Ideas Politics Elections Municipal Provincial NDP Liberals PC Vote Majority Christmas Homeless Leadership Oil Sands Environment Rail Pipelines Keystone Canadian Oil Canadian Chamber of Commerce Small Business Next Generation Cyber Security Millennials Energy Trump Washington Polls US Congress Bresiteers Trade NAFTA Europe Economy Growth Export Minimum Wage 15 dollars Bill 148 Cost Burdens Loss of Jobs Investing Finance Canada Capital Gains Exemption Tax Proposal MIddle Class Member of Parliment Unfair Changes Small Business Tax Fairness COVID-19 Mental Health Self-isolation Social Distancing Ways to Wellbeing Education Conestoga College Online Training Business Owners Personal Growth Communicate Young Professionals Workplace Communication Stress Emotionally and Physically Animals Pets Lockdown CEWS Employee Relief Employee Benefit Cambridge 50th Anniversary Celebrating Cambridge ToBigToIgnore Small Business Week Support Local Buy Local Business Support Waterloo Kitchener YouGottaShopHereWR Responsibility Culture Workplace Antiracist Inclusion Diversity Racism Federal Election Services Autonmy Professional Salary Wages CERB Workers Jobs Guidelines Health and Safety Etiquette Fun Inperson Members Golf Tournament GolfClassic Business Business Trends Home and Garden Garden Pools Home Improvements Backyarding Renos Summer Airlines Business Travel Bad Reviews Reviews Consumers Competition Bureau Dining Out Expert Advice Outdoors Economicrecovery BBQ Vaccines Community vaccinations Conferences Virtual Visitors Sportsandrecreation Spinoff Screening Kits Tourism Trends Productivity Engagement Remote working EmploymentStandardsAct Employees Employers Policies Employment Contracts Legal Public Health Virtual Ceremonies SMEs Health Canada Prevention Rapid Screening Health Entrepreneurs Building social networks Storytelling Video The She-Covery Project Child Care Workplaces Contact Tracing Time Management Pre-Budget Modernization Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Budget Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover Federal Government Hotels and Restaurants Alcohol Tax Freezethealcoholtax Canadian Destinations Travel Grow your business Sales and Marketing Digital Restructure Financing Structural Regulatory Alignment Technological Hardware Digital Modernization RAP (Recovery Activiation Program) Support business strong economy Shop Cambridge Shop Local #CanadaUnited Domestic Abuse Family Funerals Weddings Counselling Anxiety Pandemic Getting Back to Work UV disinfection systems Disinfection Systems