Tax breaks for employers that give workers bus fares; Training employers, family members in mental health “First Aid”; Outsourcer break in; City issues zero-tolerance policy for slackers; CAW agrees to job cuts, flexibility
Tax breaks for employers that give workers bus fares
Quebec — The Quebec government is offering employers a tax break for providing employees monthly transit passes. As part of the 2006 budget, the government said employers that cover the cost of the transit passes — worth about $800 a year — would get a tax break of $158. The bus passes would not be a taxable benefit.
Training employers, family members in mental health “First Aid”
Edmonton — To help people recognize and manage potential or developing mental health problems, the Alberta Mental Health Board is training about 20 instructors in mental health “first aid.” These instructors will in turn offer the course to family members, service providers and employers. More than 25,000 people around the world have taken the 12-hour first aid course, developed at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Outsourcer break in
Victoria — Confidential information of some 4,200 BC Hydro employees, including salaries and bank account information, might be in the hands of criminals following a break in last month. The company handling many of BC Hydro’s administrative functions, Accenture Business Services for Utilities, said police were investigating a break in at one of its locations but declined to provide details about the occurrence.
City issues zero-tolerance policy for slackers
Montreal — In response to media reports about the City of Montreal’s blue-collar workers slacking off on the job, the city has sent out letters to 22,000 workers threatening dismissal for anyone not doing a “normal day’s work.” As part of a “zero-tolerance policy,” the city is now using a two-step process to fire municipal employees who slack off. The process includes a three-day suspension for a first offence and dismissal for a repeat offence, in contrast with a more extended progressive discipline process for other offences. The letters have triggered grievances by two of the city’s largest unions.
CAW agrees to job cuts, flexibility
Oshawa, Ont. — The Canadian Auto Workers union has agreed to significant workplace changes at General Motors of Canada’s Oshawa plants in a bid to secure an $800-million investment. The changes would include the contracting out of 400 non-production workers, a cut in break time by three minutes a shift and the use of temporary workers when output rises. The concessions could result in the company adding car models at one of the plants, including a revived Camaro.
Quebec — The Quebec government is offering employers a tax break for providing employees monthly transit passes. As part of the 2006 budget, the government said employers that cover the cost of the transit passes — worth about $800 a year — would get a tax break of $158. The bus passes would not be a taxable benefit.
Training employers, family members in mental health “First Aid”
Edmonton — To help people recognize and manage potential or developing mental health problems, the Alberta Mental Health Board is training about 20 instructors in mental health “first aid.” These instructors will in turn offer the course to family members, service providers and employers. More than 25,000 people around the world have taken the 12-hour first aid course, developed at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Outsourcer break in
Victoria — Confidential information of some 4,200 BC Hydro employees, including salaries and bank account information, might be in the hands of criminals following a break in last month. The company handling many of BC Hydro’s administrative functions, Accenture Business Services for Utilities, said police were investigating a break in at one of its locations but declined to provide details about the occurrence.
City issues zero-tolerance policy for slackers
Montreal — In response to media reports about the City of Montreal’s blue-collar workers slacking off on the job, the city has sent out letters to 22,000 workers threatening dismissal for anyone not doing a “normal day’s work.” As part of a “zero-tolerance policy,” the city is now using a two-step process to fire municipal employees who slack off. The process includes a three-day suspension for a first offence and dismissal for a repeat offence, in contrast with a more extended progressive discipline process for other offences. The letters have triggered grievances by two of the city’s largest unions.
CAW agrees to job cuts, flexibility
Oshawa, Ont. — The Canadian Auto Workers union has agreed to significant workplace changes at General Motors of Canada’s Oshawa plants in a bid to secure an $800-million investment. The changes would include the contracting out of 400 non-production workers, a cut in break time by three minutes a shift and the use of temporary workers when output rises. The concessions could result in the company adding car models at one of the plants, including a revived Camaro.
