Calgary launches recruitment drive; Alberta labour shortage draining civil service; Website promotes construction careers; Supervisor assaujlted after employee fired; Cellphones causing work stress; NRA fights for guns at work; CHRP top achievers
Calgary launches recruitment drive
Calgary — With a critical need for workers in almost every sector, the City of Calgary is preparing an action plan that will include government and business representatives visiting communities across Canada to encourage professionals and skilled tradespeople to relocate to southern Alberta. Also on the agenda is lobbying the federal government to bring in more skilled immigrants.
Alberta labour shortage draining civil service
Calgary — The big paycheques offered by Alberta employers to solve their labour shortages, particularly in the energy sector, are pulling needed talent from the public sector. Not only are government HR staff worried, but the oil and gas sector itself is concerned about the effect its recruitment drives are having on the civil service. With a booming economy and many projects underway, private-sector employers are looking for wise, fast and efficient decisions from regulators and bureaucrats overseeing multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, but those very people are being hired away from the public sector.
Website promotes construction careers
Ottawa — The Construction Sector Council has launched www.careersinconstruction.ca to help build its labour pool. The site provides students and counsellors with information on construction careers, as well as job prospects in every province.
Supervisor assaulted after employee fired
Toronto — In a reminder that HR has its dangers, a man who was being fired from his job at a Toronto manufacturing firm is in custody after beating up a company supervisor. It’s alleged Scott McKinney erupted with anger when told of his termination. He is charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon and threatening death. The supervisor was taken to hospital, but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Police have not released the name of the firm.
Cellphones causing work stress
Milwaukee, Wis. — People who consistently use mobile phones or pagers report a negative spillover between work and home life, a study from the University of Wisconsin found. Researchers tracked 1,300 adults for two years, and discovered that lines between home and work begin to blur. While work is eating into what should be family time, study authors noted an even more significant negative spillover over of family issues into the workplace, particularly among women.
NRA fights for guns at work
Horsham, Pa. — Only in America? The National Rifle Association has launched a legal campaign in the United States to prevent firms from banning employees from keeping guns in their cars on company parking lots, reports Human Resource Executive magazine. “I’ve been a supporter of the NRA, but its position on this completely confuses me,” says Paul Viollis, president of New York security firm Risk Control Strategies. “Having loaded firearms on company property can’t be called safe.”
CHRP top achievers
Toronto — The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations has announced the names of human resources practitioners who achieved the highest marks provincially in the national exams for the Certified Human Resources Professional designation. Top 2005 honours go to: Pauline Johnson (B.C.), Brock Fraser (Alta.), Jennifer Perry (Alta.), Nish Verma (Man.), Colleen Hardie (Ont.), Louise Bouchard (Que.), Wendy Lynn Gerry (N.B.), Christine Waddick (N.S. and P.E.I.), Lisa Curran (Nfld.), Dean Biesenthal (Sask.), Andrea Ivan (Sask.) and Brenda Wilson (Sask.).
Calgary — With a critical need for workers in almost every sector, the City of Calgary is preparing an action plan that will include government and business representatives visiting communities across Canada to encourage professionals and skilled tradespeople to relocate to southern Alberta. Also on the agenda is lobbying the federal government to bring in more skilled immigrants.
Alberta labour shortage draining civil service
Calgary — The big paycheques offered by Alberta employers to solve their labour shortages, particularly in the energy sector, are pulling needed talent from the public sector. Not only are government HR staff worried, but the oil and gas sector itself is concerned about the effect its recruitment drives are having on the civil service. With a booming economy and many projects underway, private-sector employers are looking for wise, fast and efficient decisions from regulators and bureaucrats overseeing multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, but those very people are being hired away from the public sector.
Website promotes construction careers
Ottawa — The Construction Sector Council has launched www.careersinconstruction.ca to help build its labour pool. The site provides students and counsellors with information on construction careers, as well as job prospects in every province.
Supervisor assaulted after employee fired
Toronto — In a reminder that HR has its dangers, a man who was being fired from his job at a Toronto manufacturing firm is in custody after beating up a company supervisor. It’s alleged Scott McKinney erupted with anger when told of his termination. He is charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon and threatening death. The supervisor was taken to hospital, but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Police have not released the name of the firm.
Cellphones causing work stress
Milwaukee, Wis. — People who consistently use mobile phones or pagers report a negative spillover between work and home life, a study from the University of Wisconsin found. Researchers tracked 1,300 adults for two years, and discovered that lines between home and work begin to blur. While work is eating into what should be family time, study authors noted an even more significant negative spillover over of family issues into the workplace, particularly among women.
NRA fights for guns at work
Horsham, Pa. — Only in America? The National Rifle Association has launched a legal campaign in the United States to prevent firms from banning employees from keeping guns in their cars on company parking lots, reports Human Resource Executive magazine. “I’ve been a supporter of the NRA, but its position on this completely confuses me,” says Paul Viollis, president of New York security firm Risk Control Strategies. “Having loaded firearms on company property can’t be called safe.”
CHRP top achievers
Toronto — The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations has announced the names of human resources practitioners who achieved the highest marks provincially in the national exams for the Certified Human Resources Professional designation. Top 2005 honours go to: Pauline Johnson (B.C.), Brock Fraser (Alta.), Jennifer Perry (Alta.), Nish Verma (Man.), Colleen Hardie (Ont.), Louise Bouchard (Que.), Wendy Lynn Gerry (N.B.), Christine Waddick (N.S. and P.E.I.), Lisa Curran (Nfld.), Dean Biesenthal (Sask.), Andrea Ivan (Sask.) and Brenda Wilson (Sask.).
