ALTA. GETS X-TREME ABOUT SAFETY
Edmonton — In an effort to promote safe work practices among young workers, the Alberta government has produced a new X-treme Safety handbook and poster. “Workers under 25 years of age are 17 per cent more likely to be injured and X-treme Safety speaks directly to them about the hazards they are likely to face,” said Clint Dunford, Human Resources and Employment Minister. The handbook includes a list of questions young people should ask employers about safety in the workplace as well as tips for how to refuse unsafe work. The handbook is available online at www.alis.gov.ab.ca.
STAFFING FREEZES
Toronto — Though most Canadian organizations were not directly effected by the events of Sept. 11, fully half of respondents to a recent survey said they have frozen hiring and one-third said they have reduced or plan to reduce their workforce as a result of the economic slowdown made worse by the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents said they will be reducing compensation budgets in the aftermath of Sept. 11. The survey, conducted for Hewitt Associates, also found that while pay hikes were generally largest in Toronto and Vancouver, Montreal will likely see the biggest increases this year and Vancouver will witness the lowest.
CONSTRUCTION WOES
Toronto — While the construction industry has been a “remarkable oasis of strength during the current slowdown” it is facing serious and prolonged problems due to a shortage of workers and lagging productivity, according to a recent report. At a time when the education system is focusing less on trade skills, the construction industry is about to be hit by a surge in retirements, said TD economist Craig Alexander. Throughout the ’90s when productivity in the business sector increased, output per hour worked actually decreased in the construction sector.
UNION ACTS AGAINST VIOLENCE
Montreal — A Quebec union federation has launched a campaign to reduce violence and harassment in the workplace. The Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux has published a 79-page booklet to help its 265,000 members identify and resolve incidents of violence and harassment. Violence in the workplace causes some employees depression, reduces productivity and increases absenteeism, said the union and the booklet is meant to raise awareness about violent behaviour either between co-workers or from disgruntled customers.
911 WORKERS FEAR SICK-BUILDING SYNDROME
Calgary — Four times in a six-week period, ambulances were called to the Calgary Police Services administration building, to tend to 911 emergency communications officers who suffered rashes, swelling and an inability to breathe; three of the employees were sent to hospital. The employees fear something in the air is making them sick and suspect it may be to blame for diseases, miscarriages and birth defects. Fourteen of the 97 employees suffer from autoimmune diseases, at least eight workers have suffered miscarriages and three of the employees’ children have autism and another is being tested. The syndrome normally occurs in about four of 10,000 births.
Edmonton — In an effort to promote safe work practices among young workers, the Alberta government has produced a new X-treme Safety handbook and poster. “Workers under 25 years of age are 17 per cent more likely to be injured and X-treme Safety speaks directly to them about the hazards they are likely to face,” said Clint Dunford, Human Resources and Employment Minister. The handbook includes a list of questions young people should ask employers about safety in the workplace as well as tips for how to refuse unsafe work. The handbook is available online at www.alis.gov.ab.ca.
STAFFING FREEZES
Toronto — Though most Canadian organizations were not directly effected by the events of Sept. 11, fully half of respondents to a recent survey said they have frozen hiring and one-third said they have reduced or plan to reduce their workforce as a result of the economic slowdown made worse by the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents said they will be reducing compensation budgets in the aftermath of Sept. 11. The survey, conducted for Hewitt Associates, also found that while pay hikes were generally largest in Toronto and Vancouver, Montreal will likely see the biggest increases this year and Vancouver will witness the lowest.
CONSTRUCTION WOES
Toronto — While the construction industry has been a “remarkable oasis of strength during the current slowdown” it is facing serious and prolonged problems due to a shortage of workers and lagging productivity, according to a recent report. At a time when the education system is focusing less on trade skills, the construction industry is about to be hit by a surge in retirements, said TD economist Craig Alexander. Throughout the ’90s when productivity in the business sector increased, output per hour worked actually decreased in the construction sector.
UNION ACTS AGAINST VIOLENCE
Montreal — A Quebec union federation has launched a campaign to reduce violence and harassment in the workplace. The Confederation des Syndicats Nationaux has published a 79-page booklet to help its 265,000 members identify and resolve incidents of violence and harassment. Violence in the workplace causes some employees depression, reduces productivity and increases absenteeism, said the union and the booklet is meant to raise awareness about violent behaviour either between co-workers or from disgruntled customers.
911 WORKERS FEAR SICK-BUILDING SYNDROME
Calgary — Four times in a six-week period, ambulances were called to the Calgary Police Services administration building, to tend to 911 emergency communications officers who suffered rashes, swelling and an inability to breathe; three of the employees were sent to hospital. The employees fear something in the air is making them sick and suspect it may be to blame for diseases, miscarriages and birth defects. Fourteen of the 97 employees suffer from autoimmune diseases, at least eight workers have suffered miscarriages and three of the employees’ children have autism and another is being tested. The syndrome normally occurs in about four of 10,000 births.
