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As workplaces continue to evolve, researchers and human
resources experts are paying closer attention to the
organizational culture of a workplace. Research has
found that management practices, "presenteeism",
worker satisfaction and the way work is organized have
a profound effect on the health of the business and
those who work within the organization.
Today, leading edge companies adopt a comprehensive
approach to workplace health, which addresses:
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Personal Health Practices
• Organizational Culture of the Workplace
These three elements are interrelated and combine to
influence the overall health of the business and individual
employees.
Occupational Health & Safety
A healthy organization addresses health and safety concerns
before they arise. Activities exceed the minimum standards
for due diligence outlined by health and safety legislation.
The physical environment is managed to control exposure
to hazards, maintain cleanliness and reduce environmental
impact of business processes. Work-related injuries
and disability times are reduced through effective management
techniques, training and accommodation for employees
with special needs.
An effective Health and Safety Committee coordinates
and prioritizes issues by communicating with senior
management and providing opportunities for direct employee
feedback.
Personal Health Practices
A healthy organization informs and supports all employees
in making positive choices that reduce their risk of
harm and enhance their health. Programming, resources
and a positive work environment will help to build skills
that make these choices sustainable.
Each employee's health is viewed as a resource to be
maximized to provide optimal physical and mental well-being
for the person that will, in turn, enhance the health
of the organization. Programs enhance the awareness
of risk factors and provide information on a range of
health issues. Policies and environmental supports provide
a framework and reinforcement to make positive choices.
Organizational Culture
Addressing issues in this area involves assessing and
improving the overall environment and processes of the
workplace. Setting corporate goals in this area will
give employees a greater sense of purpose, refine your
vision for the company and will help you to more fully
use the talents and resources of your workforce.
For example, if looking to improve productivity and
employee satisfaction you could look to improve management
practices, improve the organization of work and/or develop
policies, benchmarking and best practices guidelines.
The health of your employees is more important than
you might think.
Taking a comprehensive approach to workplace health
can help your business:
• Attract and retain the best employees
• Improve productivity while increasing job satisfaction
and morale
• Decrease absenteeism and sick days
• Reduce health expenses, insurance and benefits cost
Visit www.accountforhealth.ca
for more information or call the Region of Peel – Public
Health at: 905-799-7700 for a free consultation.
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Brampton-Caledon
Community Living
wins special award of distinction
Brampton-Caledon Community Living was one of seven
recipients who received Community Living Ontario Awards
of Distinction at Community Living’s 54th Annual Conference
in Toronto in June. Please See More
Community Living Ontario recently honoured the outstanding
efforts and achievements of people and organizations
working to build a more inclusive society in support
of people who have an intellectual disability.
Brampton-Caledon Community Living received the James
Montogomerie Community Award for providing programs
and positive opportunities to assist young people who
have an intellectual disability in pursuing their academic
and employment goals. Programs also include various
recreational and social opportunities, making it possible
for young people to participate fully and engage with
their communities.
“The individuals receiving these awards are advancing
the cause of inclusion for all people in some very unique
ways. They promote the value, importance, and benefits
– for all of us – when people of all abilities are included
in our classrooms, places of employment, and ultimately
our society,” said Keith Powell, executive director
of Community Living Ontario. “People who have an intellectual
disability have the desire and ability to participate
and contribute to their communities, but they need the
opportunities to do that. These awards honour people
and organizations who are working to create those opportunities.”
The award recipients’ contributions touch on various
disability issues including accessible public transit,
inclusive education, and working with the business sector
to create more jobs for young people and adults who
have a disability. The awards gala highlighted their
various efforts which include public speaking to raise
awareness about disability issues, lobbying government
for change, and promoting the concept of inclusion among
educators and administrators in Ontario schools.
Community Living Ontario is a province-wide federation
that promotes and facilitates the full participation,
inclusion and citizenship of people who have an intellectual
disability. More than 12,000 people are members of Community
Living Ontario through membership in 111 affiliated
local associations. Community Living provides direct
support and services to people who have an intellectual
disability, helps communities build the capacity to
support people, and advocates for social change toward
the full inclusion of all people in community. For more
information, visit www.communitylivingontario.ca.
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2007
Business Law Summit scheduled for September 20
Business executives, owners, managers, partners, professionals
and in-house counsel in western GTA and Peel Region
can get updated on recent legal developments that can
impact their businesses, all in just one morning. Please
See More
The date of the second annual Business Law Summit is
Thursday, Sept. 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the
Novotel Hotel, 3670 Hurontario Street (at Burnhamthorpe
Road), in Mississauga. This is the only business law
summit in western GTA.
At the 2007 Business Law Summit, about 10 lawyers from
a variety of organizations will provide updates and
perspective on the latest legal and business developments
in commercial real estate law, construction law, labour
and employment law, environmental law, insolvency law,
trademark & patent law, immigration law, and other
aspects of business law and business opportunities.
The 2006 Business Law Summit, which was attended by
about 70 people from Peel Region, featured an agenda
packed with 10 speakers each of whom stuck to their
15-minute allotted time slots. And “borrowing” time
from the next speaker or running overtime is not allowed.
The presentations are meant to give participants a broad-brush
overview of the legal aspects of today’s most relevant
business topics.
The 2007 Business Law Summit is organized and sponsored
by the following law firms and corporations, many of
whom are located in or who do business in Mississauga:
Ridout & Maybee LLP; Hodgson Russ LLP; Willms &
Shier LLP; Parmalat Canada and lead sponsor Pallett
Valo LLP.
In addition, Larry Petovello of the Economic Development
Office of the City of Mississauga will speak on the
topic of “Mississauga: Developing Canada’s 21st Century
City.”
“Mississauga is Canada’s sixth largest city and it
continues to be a booming location for doing business,”
says Petovello. “For example, 59 of the U.S. Fortune
500 companies have located their Canadian headquarters
in Mississauga. And Mississauga was rated the Number
2 North American city for economic potential for 2007-08
by fDi Magazine, published by the prestigious Financial
Times Group in the UK.”
“The law changes and it is important to know your rights
as well as your obligations. In today’s fast-paced business
environment, keeping abreast of legal developments is
vital because they have an impact on the business decisions
our clients make every day” says Pallett Valo Managing
Partner Anna Esposito, who specializes in Construction
Law. She will present a session on “Holdback Obligations
under the Construction Lien Act.”
Tony Cugliari, Director, Legal Services at Parmalat
Canada, will present a session on “A Client’s Thoughts
on Litigation…From the Perspective of an In-house Lawyer.”
“Environmental Law is a critical component of any real
estate transaction,” says Donna Shier, of Willms &
Shier LLP, who will speak on “New and Pertinent Environmental
Law Issues.”
The cost to attend the 2007 Business Law Summit is on
a cost-recovery basis and has been set at $75 (plus
GST) per participant to cover the conference room rental,
breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks. Interested in attending?
Space is limited, so register early.
For more information, or to register for the 2007 Business
Law Summit, click on:
www.businesslawsummit.com
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