Health and Safety

Risks and responses for employers in the era of legalized cannabis use

By Michael F. Horvat

On Sept. 8, 2017, Ontario became the first province to announce its plan to sell and distribute recreational marijuana once it becomes legalized. The federal government’s timeline is to allow the sale and use of “recreational” marijuana by July 1, 2018, but each province can regulate distribution and limit availability. Ontario’s plan is to have government-run stores selling marijuana based on the province’s liquor distribution model,

Improving the health of your workplace results in increased productivity

By Dr. Emily Lipinski, ND and Dr. Andreia Horta, ND

According to a report from the senate committee on social affairs, science and technology, in the past three to four decades, there has been a drastic increase in the proportion of overweight and obese Canadians. Nearly two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are obese or overweight.

Eight bad habits that should be banned from the workplace forever

By Leigh Stringer

Over the years, we have developed workstyles that are not good for our physical, mental or emotional health. It’s not that we’re bad people, or that we aren’t working hard. The problem is that we are so focused on work and on getting things done that we’ve changed the way we eat, move and sleep in a way that is actually counter-productive. What our minds and bodies need at a basic level is in conflict with our work style.

Prevention is the best cure – and it all starts with dialogue, joint communication and mapping out goals

By Joel Kranc

Mental health issues can affect anyone in any workplace at any time. Perhaps one of the more stressful workplace settings, however, is within the airline industry. That’s where Sari Sairanen, current director of health and safety at Unifor, worked in the early 2000s when her employer, Air Canada, was dealing with bankruptcy protection.

Using the Standard: A new study reports what works, what doesn’t and what we can learn about supporting psychological health and safety in the workplace

By Melissa Campeau

The evolving duty of HR professionals in supporting workplace mental health

By Dr. Joti Samra, R. Psych.

HR professionals occupy a unique position to change the face of workplace mental health within their own organizations, in addition to the broader, nationwide landscape. By definition, HR professionals are responsible for recruiting, retaining, supporting and energizing employees so that businesses can thrive – core functions when we consider the elements required to create and sustain a psychologically healthy and safe work environment, and associated workforce.