News briefs

Ex-employer ordered to pay $19,000; Report calls for strategic recruitment in public service; Overtime costs health authority $1 million; Plastics sector council launches certification program; Fighting workplace violence; Good morning MBA

Ex-employer ordered to pay $19,000

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has ordered Violetta Industries to pay a former employee nearly $19,000 for refusing to accommodate his illness. Dennis Chong, who has multiple sclerosis, worked the 6 a.m. shift at the Burnaby-based company until his boss, Douglas Sommerville, found out Chong had MS. Sommerville then changed Chong’s hours, turned down his request for paid leave and wouldn’t accommodate his disability. The tribunal ordered Violetta and Sommerville to pay Chong more than $11,000 in lost wages and $7,500 for injury to his dignity, feelings and self-respect.

Report calls for strategic recruitment in public service

OTTAWA — The federal government needs to adopt a more strategic and systematic approach to recruitment, according to the Advisory Committee on the Public Service’s first report. The federal government established the committee last November to make recommendations on the future development of Canada’s public service. Future reports will focus on effective recruitment, building a representative workforce and accountability.

Overtime costs health authority $1 million

SYDNEY, N.S. — Heavy workloads and vacant nursing positions resulted in about $1 million in overtime costs for the Cape Breton District Health Authority last year. Nearly half of that money went to Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. A posting on the hospital’s website shows it spent $95,000 to cover 1,587 hours of overtime in February and March, about double the normal budgeted amount.

Plastics sector council launches certification program

TORONTO — A new certification program will establish national occupational standards in the plastics industry. The Canadian Plastics Sector Council launched the Certified Plastics Practitioner program earlier this month. The council said the new certification will give companies in the plastics processing sector the HR tools they need to grow their business.

Fighting workplace violence

HALIFAX — New workplace violence regulations to improve safety in high-risk sectors in Nova Scotia, such as health care, retail, schools and government services, were approved last month. “The regulations strengthen employers’ responsibility to protect workers from physical violence and threats of violence on the job,” said Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent. The regulations require employers in the high-risk sectors to assess the risk of violence and to implement plans to reduce those risks. Employers will have six months to complete a hazard assessment and one year to put plans in place.

Good morning MBA

TORONTO — Working professionals in the Toronto area will be able to pursue their MBA studies early in the morning before heading to work. The morning MBA at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is designed for those who want to complete an MBA without sacrificing their professional or personal lives. Most classes will be offered from 7 a.m. to 8:59 a.m.

To read the full story, login below.

Not a subscriber?

Start your subscription today!