Some of you will no doubt remember the Westray mining tragedy.  For those of who may not be familiar with Westray, the accident occurred on 9 May 1992 when methane gas and then coal dust exploded in a Nova Scotia coal mine, killing 26 workers.   Since that tragic event, a lot has happened in Nova Scotia and in Canada to improve safety in the workplace.  Yet, still too many Canadians die as a result of job-related incidents.   (According to statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Board of Canada, there were 1014 work-related death in Canada in 2010.)

As a consequence of Westray, the Canadian Criminal Code was amended in 2004 to make it possible to hold a company or individual guilty of criminal negligence for failing to fulfill the duty to protect a person doing work if the failure to protect was the result of wanton or reckless disregard for life or safety and caused death or serious bodily harm to the worker or a person affected by the work.   In Nova Scotia the Occupational Health and Safety Act established the Internal Responsibility System based on the principle that occupational health and safety is a shared responsibility.  Employees, employers, contractors, suppliers, architects, professional engineers have specific responsibilities to ensure a safe work environment.

The first week of May is also the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.  It was first launched in 1997, marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico.   Since then, the first week of each May is set aside, to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on occupational health and safety.  NAOSHW brings awareness to the importance of preventing injury and illness – in the workplace, at home and in the community.  This year, NOASHW will run from 6-12 May.

If you are not familiar with NAOSHW, it is an excellent opportunity to reiterate legislated safety policies and programming including:

o             your Corporate Safety Statement

o             the function and composition of your Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHS)

o             the importance of accident / incident / near miss reporting and your Accident Investigation program

o             your Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System program

o             your Housekeeping Inspection program

o             your Prevention of Violence in the Workplace program

The NOASHW provides an excellent opportunity to focus attention on workplace safety that should be maintained all year!   On the 20^th anniversary of Westray, we should all make an extra effort.

Saturday 28 April 2012 is the National Day of Mourning.   Each year,  this day has been set aside to honour those workers across Canada whose lives have been lost, injured, disabled or who suffer from occupational diseases because of hazards or incidents in the workplace.

The National Day of Mourning, also known as the Workers’ Memorial day, was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 and was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991.  The Day of Mourning is now recognized in about 80 countries around the world.

The number of deaths in the Canadian workplace each year is astonishing!  For the 10 year period of 2000 to 2010 there were 9780 workplace deaths in Canada, including the deaths of 207 Nova Scotia workers during the same period.

Work-related accidents are very expensive. The total of compensation paid to work accident victims, or their families, and of other economic costs of work-related injuries, each year are estimated at more than $12 billion. This figure does not take into account the pain and suffering of the victims and their families, which are incalculable.

The purpose of Day of Mourning is twofold – to remember and honour those lives lost or injured and to renew the commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace – to prevent further deaths, injuries and diseases from work.  Typically the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill is flown at half-mast, and workers and employees observe this day in various ways including lighting candles, donning ribbons and black armbands, and observing moments of silence.

Should you wish to honour our fallen workers on April 28, join a Day of Mourning ceremony in a community near you:

Nova Scotia

Halifax, 11 a.m., Province House, 1726 Hollis St., contact: nsfl@ns.aliant.zinc.ca

Sydney, 11 a.m., Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 128, 850 Victoria Rd., Whitney Pier, contact: 902.562.8604

Kentville, 2 p.m., Kentville Memorial Park, Park St. (Main St.), contact: deantupper@xcountry.tv

Bridgewater, 7 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 78 Churchill St., contact: budjohnson@ns.sympatico.ca

Port Hawkesbury, 3 p.m., CEP Union Hall, 323 Reeves St., contact: 902.863.2113

Pictou County, 6 p.m., Trenton Steeltown Park, contact: 902.695.7249

New Brunswick

Bathurst – Day of Mourning Monument, Douglas Avenue, April 28, 11 a.m.

Fredericton – Fredericton Fallen Firefighters Memorial, April 28, 12 p.m

Miramichi – Workers’ Monument, Newcastle,  April 28, 12 p.m.

Moncton – Bore View Park Cenotaph, April 28, 12 p.m.

Restigouche – Atholville, walk departs from the AV Cell Mill and ends at the town hall, April 29, 1 p.m.

Saint John – Hatheway Labour Exhibit Centre, Lily Lake, April 28, 12 p.m.

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown – Province House, April 28, 2 p.m.

The National Day of Mourning is as much a day to remember the dead as it is a call to protect the living.  Every employer should recognize this day but every employer should also take tangible steps to improve their workplace safety through safety programming, hazard assessment and training.  For an assessment of your workplace safety needs please contact:  Sylvain Allaire, VP Sales & Marketing, (902) 877-1887 or by email at sylvain@hr-pros.ca.

Bill Mills has been the Executive Director of the Main Street Dartmouth Business Improvement District Association since its inception.  He has been a key organizer in the community and a strong advocate for local businesses and local organisations.   Bill has decided to retire from his role as Executive Director but I am sure he will remain very active in the community.  Thank you Bill for your work for the Main Street Dartmouth Business Community!

The Main Street Dartmouth Business Improvement District Association is seeking applications for the position of Executive Director.

I realise that summer is still a few months away but it is not too early to start thinking about your staffing plans for the summer.   My experiences with hiring summer students have all been positive.  They were eager to learn and work! Great attributes in any employee!

If you are interested in hiring a summer student there are a number of government programs to assist with wages and training.  But don’t wait too long to start planning.  Deadlines for grant applications vary between the end of January to mid-March.

The Canada Summer Jobs program is designed to focus on local priorities while helping both students and their communities.  The deadline for grant application is 29 February.  Not-for-profit employers were eligible for 100% funding of the provincial minimum hourly wage per student.  Private sector employees with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for funding for up to 50% of the provincial minimum hourly wage rate.  Details of the program can be found on the Services Canada website or by calling: 1-800-935-5555.

Young Canada Works is funded by Heritage Canada and administers three summer job programs for students: YCW for Aboriginal Youth in Urban Area; YCW in Heritage Organization; and YCW in Both Official Languages.  A total of 2,780 jobs are subsidized under these three programs.  The programs may contribute up to 75 percent of the student’s employment costs (wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures) to a maximum of $8,000 per job and $50,000 per employer.   Deadline for application is 1 February 2012.

In New Brunswick, the Student Employment Experience Development program  provides funding to municipalities, government agencies, non-profit organizations and First Nation communities to hire students for a minimum of eight weeks.  The deadline for application is March 1^st.  Contact the regional office of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour closest to you for more information.

SkillsPEI administers the Post-Secondary Student Program funded by the government of Prince Edward Island. The Program is designed to create jobs for post-secondary students by providing a financial incentive to Island employers who provide students with summer employment in their field of study.  Details of the program for 2012 will be on-line in early February.  In 2011, private sector employers were refunded between $5.23 and $5.66 per hour paid while non-profit and public sector employers received between $10.46 and $11.32 per hour for up to 40 hours per week.  Employment had to be provided for a minimum of 8 weeks to a maximum of 14 weeks.

The Health Care Futures Program provides Island students with summer employment in health care facilities throughout the province.  Last year, the program paid between $9.83 and $10.81 per hour for 37.5 hours per week.   The Nursing Student Summer Employment program provides employment for up to 12 weeks for Nursing Students who have successfully completed at least one year of a recognized Bachelor Degree in Nursing Program or Practical Nursing Diploma Program.   Application for both of these Programs will be available on line in early February.

In Nova Scotia, the Student Career Skills Development Program (SCSDP) partners with not-for-profit organizations to create career-related summer jobs for post-secondary students. The jobs are distributed across the province based on population and unemployment for each county. Deadline for application is 31 January 2012.

While it is not a “summer student” program per se, the Strategic Cooperative Education Incentive provides private sector, government-funded and non-profit organizations 50 per cent of the required minimum hourly wage of $15.00 an hour for co-operative education opportunities.   This program assists high-value businesses and organizations across the region to recruit and retain students for work placements.  Deadline for applications are 31 January, 25 May, and 21 September.

As 2011 comes to a close, we would like to thank our clients, our suppliers, our friends, and our supporters for our best year to date.   HR pros’ operations grew by nearly 40% from its 2010 level.   In 2008, our clients were based mainly in HRM.  In 2011, our clients were located throughout Nova Scotia, from Yarmouth to Sydney, in New Brunswick, and in Ontario.  Our staff grew as well.  We have added a labour specialist, a training specialist, and a benefits and claim management specialist to our roster of associates.

This past year, Dr Wayne Adams received the Order of Nova Scotia to add to his impressive list of recognition and awards.  Tanya Sieliakus was a finalist in the category of HR excellence in Atlantic Canada at the Atlantic Human Resources Awards.  Tanya was also appointed to the board of the East Coast Music Association.  Sylvain Allaire was re-elected as vice-president of the Francophone Chamber of Commerce of Halifax and to the board of Soccer Nova Scotia for the Dartmouth region.

During the year, we worked with clients in agriculture, finance, retail, manufacturing, Information technology, entertainment, as well as with government agencies and not for profit organisations.  We have delivered workshops to start up business owners as well as to established companies with hundreds of employees.

There have been many positive stories from our clients but a few standout in our minds.  A participant at one of our workshops sent an email the following day thanking Tanya for saving her child’s eye.  During the workshop on Occupational Health and Safety, Tanya had described the first aid steps to take in the event that a foreign liquid gets in the eye.  That evening, the lesson was quickly recalled when the liquid from a glow stick got in the eye of the child. The participant followed the first aid guidance and was told by the doctor at the emergency that her actions helped save the eye.

A more recent case is also worth mentioning.  We helped a client win a $28,000 appeal with the Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.  Given how WCB premiums are calculated, this win is likely to save the client much more in premiums over the next three year.

What will 2012 bring?  One thing to watch is the progress of Bill-C25 or the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act.  In Nova Scotia, we are likely to see an increased level of safety inspections.  The minimum wage could also increase to keep pace with the CPI.  One thing is certain; HR pros will be busy “Connecting Businesses with Their People”.

Happy New Year!  All the best for 2012!

Spent yesterday at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce B2B Expo that was held at the WTCC.  Given the weather, it was a good day to be inside!  During the lunch reception, certificates of recognition were presented to mark 3, 5, 10 and 20 year membership milestone with the Halifax Chamber.  HR pros has been a member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce since its incorporation in 2008 and received a certificate to mark this milestone.

HR pros booth at Halifax B2B Expo

The winner of the Business Card draw was Vanessa Burns from Datarite in Halifax.

The winner of the Tweet contest was Rick Allwright of Fairway Insurance Services.

We met a lot of great entrepreneurs yesterday.  Here are just a few of the the people who stopped by our booth and spoke with us:

Tasha Richard and Rachel Sumner of Platform.

Ryan Hyson of Green Arbor Landscape.

Rainer Bressmer of Tecbox.

Denis Boudreau of DB Group Consulting.

Pierre Guevremont of IronWorks Distillery.

Ed Cooze of Atlantic Data Systems.

On 13 October, HR pros, in cooperation with BALLE Nova Scotia, facilitated a seminar on Occupational Health and Safety for small businesses.  The seminar took the format of a lunch and learn session at the Wooden Monkey restaurant in Halifax.

Tanya Sieliakus, VP Consulting Services speaks to BALLE members

BALLE members listen attentively to the advice provided by Tanya Sieliakus

For a copy of the presentation.

HR pros will host a lunch and learn on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) at the Wooden Monkey Restaurant (1707 Grafton Street, Halifax) October 13, 11:30 am for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies – Nova Scotia (BALLE).

The presentation will cover topics such as:

· an overview of recent changes in the Act and enforcement mechanisms;

· an overview of employer’s rights and obligations;

· an overview of employee’s rights and obligations;

· discuss ways to protect the company;

· show how OH&S programs can improve the bottom line.

Free to attend – lunch at your cost.  For more information call Sylvain at (902) 877-1887.

A number of programs exist to facilitate the integration of newly settled immigrants into Nova Scotia’s society.  The government has also recognised the need to support francophone immigration and is providing resources to that effect.    For the past two years it has funded a unique program which is delivered at the Halifax Campus of Université Sainte-Anne.   The program is aimed at Francophone immigrants and combines classroom instruction to upgrade language skills, computer skills, occupational health and safety training, and job hunting skills.  The program also provides for a work-term of 12 weeks in a local business, government agency, or not for profit organisation.   Depending on the job, a wage subsidy can be available.

HR pros has been working with Université Sainte-Anne and has helped a number of francophone immigrants establish themselves in the labour market over the past two years.    All can speak at least 2 languages and some are fluent in English as well.  We are currently looking for appropriate employers to provide work experience for 12 weeks for:

-          Electrical Engineer with a specialisation in automation

-          Candidate with Diploma in Clinical Pharmaceutical Research and Development and Masters in Microbiology

-          Industrial Engineer

-          Candidate with university degree and 8 years of experience in the fishing industry

-          Graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition

-          Child Care provider

-          Dress maker

-          Personal Care Attendant

These candidates are eager to work and can start immediately.  If you want to take advantage of this program and contact Sylvain (902) 877-1887 for more information.

While many businesses prepare a formal business plan few have a written human resources management plan as part of their overall business strategy.  Just as failing to address potential threats in the marketplace can jeopardize the viability of a business, failing to anticipate employment trends and employees’ needs can also impact overall business success.  It is critical that the company take a strategic approach to HR rather than a wait-and-see approach.

A solid Human Resources plan will address critical human resources management functional areas including but not limited to:  Recruitment and Selection, Benefits, Payroll, Wages, Training and Development, Succession Planning. 

Remember, there is an inherent danger in management “guessing” what its workforce wants or needs.  Engaging employees in the planning is as much a part of the strategy as the actual plan itself!