Resistance is futile when it comes to social media

In many ways the Borg from Star Trek were the ultimate social network, but I digress and will save references to science fiction for another day. Below I've linked an interesting article about how businesses need to adapt to the fact that social media is here to stay and is going to be used in a widespread manner by millennial workers and Generation Z. Now is the time to implement social media policies that can respond to this rapidly changing field. See:

Users urged to remain vigilant on social networks

Are millennials really disconnected from current events?

Here's an article that advances the argument that millennials are more consumed by incoming text messages rather than current events. I beg to differ and advance the idea that given a lack of choice between bickering politicians consumed in debates that don't engage the young electorate your going to see widespread disenfranchisement in this demographic. Young people are tired of the wars, the infighting, and doom surrounding the economy.


The rally today hosted by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert is fuel by a trend that these two comedians tapped into long ago. It's a trend that first started with Gen X and continues today: a frustration with an incompetent political class that can't seem to get the house in order and an overwhelming concern about trying to find one's place in the world. The response from youth has been to tune out the static and focus on things that matter: careers, relationships, and community work. It's no wonder that volunteerism is a defining trait of millennials, who would rather be doing substantive work than engage a political system that is more about grandstanding than grand ideas. 


To a lesser extent you can see this trend reflected in Canada, the recent municipal election in Toronto did little for young voters who really weren't engaged by any of the mainstream candidates. I note that Adam Giambrone's defunct campaign appeared to be energizing the youth vote, but after the sex scandal consumed his campaign any serious discussion of youth issues rapidly disappeared. Which is a shame because with the shifting demographics of Toronto, the core is increasingly young and vibrant; furthermore, only recently has the trend shifted back to seeing people migrating to the core. 


What I see in the Toronto election is not only a stark division between the core and the suburbs, but also a divide between the boomers and millennials. Welcome to the new normal of political in North America and watch out because the battles between these two groups are going to be mighty fierce. See:

Young Americans disconnected from current events

Why is Ontario failing its ADHD students?

Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia don't recognize Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as a medical disability and won't allow schools to identify them as exceptional students. These provinces are clearly breaching provincial human rights codes and don't have a legal leg to stand on. When students with legitimate disability can't access the resources they need it can lead to marginalization within the education system, behavioral problems, and possible academic failure. Many student with ADHD need accommodations to achieve their potential and denying this opportunity to do so is highly questionable and problematic. See:

Three provinces failing ADHD students: study

Saskatchewan to dissolve Human Rights Tribunal

Here's an interesting development out of Saskatchewan that could have far reaching implications for human rights law in Canada. The provincial government is moving towards abolishing the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal and handing over jurisdiction to hear human rights cases to the Courts. In most jurisdictions in Canada, the handling of human rights cases falls on commissions and/or quasi-judicial tribunals. The theory goes that administrative agencies are easier to access to a person who feel they may have experience a breach of their human rights. This development comes on the heels of various recommendations to reform the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code from Justice David Arnot, currently the Chief Commissioner of the province's Human Rights Commission. See:

Court to hear cases when province dissolves Sask. Human Rights Tribnual

Do the millennials need an attitude adjustment?

I bring you two articles, both written by senior executives at leading corporations in the United States about millennial workers and the work ethic they exert or the lack thereof. Clearly, I think one perspective is much closer to reality than the other, but both contain insights. I would, however, suggest that Thomas R. Ray III hire a few more millennial web designers to update the websites of Buckley Radio as they are pretty terrible. See:

The Millennials: Your Guides to the Future

What's meaningful work in 2010?

Overtime class action lawsuits gain steam

Here's an interesting article that discusses various class actions lawsuits that are working their way through the courts in Canada and the United States related to discrimination and failure to pay overtime wages. What's fascinating is the widely differing approaches adopted by the Defendants in this sort of litigation: on one hand you have Wal-Mart vigorously resisting through an appeal to the United States Supreme Court, while in Canada KPMG when faced with a similar action came to the table early and settled the case through mediation. See:

Overtime key issue

Is B.C. facing a labour shortage in the environmental sector?

British Columbia may be facing a severe labour shortage in the environmental sector in the near future. The report, released by the Globe Foundation of Canada, warns of looming retirement for a quarter of the present green workforce and the simultaneous creation of seventy-five thousand new jobs  in the industry over the next ten years. This will create pressures in the areas of recruitment, retention, and growth within the burgeoning industry that faces competition from numerous other jurisdictions. See:

Shortage of 'green' jobs skill looms in B.C., study warns

British Columbia's Green Economy: Securing the Workforce of Tomorrow

What do Canada's growth prospects look like?

Here's an article discussing the current state of the Canadian economy and the growth prospects over the next couple years with a focus on the construction sector which has been a main driver of the economy as of late, see:

Canada well positioned to benefit from new world order

Why aren't the Courts using social media?

Being a lawyer who is profoundly interested about access to justice issues I was fascinated when I came across this article earlier today about the use of social media by judges. Eventually social media and emerging technologies will open up a whole new era for the legal industry, but given that it's a rather stodgy profession that by design is focused on the past the road to the future is going to be a very slow trek. 


As an example of the cutting edge work being done by a member of judiciary I've provided a link below to the Family Matters website that is part of the courageous efforts by Justice Harvey Brownstone to open up the family law courts in Ontario and restore a measure of sanity to family law litigation. The website is part of a full-court press by Justice Brownstone to explain the extensive pitfalls of the Courts to potential family law litigants. He's written an excellent book about theses issues, he speaks extensively on the topic, and the website is an natural extension of these efforts. 


Justice Brownstone may be on a righteous crusade and a outlier in the judiciary, but his efforts represent the future of where the legal system is going. Canada's legal system has a rich history, but for a vast majority of the public it's cloaked behind the curtain of the legal profession. Increasing understanding for all citizens about the working of legal system would pay untold dividends for society. See:

Survey: Judges Split of Their Use of Social Media

Family Matters

Why social media is changing the social fabric of the millennial generation

Here's an interesting article discussing the use of social media in relating to social justice activism. The writer of the article discusses the profound impact that social media is having on young millennial women and how it's changing the way we communicate with each other. Fascinating article, see:

How Social Networking Is Helping Millennial Women Change the World

For millennials, satire and irony are key forms of communication

Millennials love irony and satire. A few nights ago over dinner with my friends an entire conversation revolved around the use of irony, deadpan humour, and satire in interpersonal communication. In the workplace the use of these devices can have profound implications if some employees don't pick up on the use of these subtle nuances in conversations, meetings, or in emails. For a generation that has grown up worshiping the comedic virtues of Jon Stewart and South Park, communication can be jarring to others who don't understand the fluid shorthand of the millennial generation. Below I've attached an interesting article discussing this trend within the millennial generation, see: 

Satire is the way of life for the millennials

Are happy employees good for business?

Having an energized, happy workforce is good for business. It pay dividends to ensure that your employees are performing at peak level in an environment that is reflexive and responsive to their needs; furthermore, ensuring a good workplace can avoid problems, such as: disability claims, retention problems, undue stress, low productivity, and burnout. See:

Happy, fulfilled employees good for the bottom line

What's the value of a university degree in Canada's labour market?

The Association of Universities and College of Canada (AUCC) has released a report on the value of a post-secondary education in Canada, you can see the report below by following the link. See:

The Value of a Degree in Canada's Labour Market

Does Alberta have a labour shortage on the horizon

Althought Canada is still recovering from the recession and a depressed labour market is present in many parts of the country, with demographic shifts around the corner Calgary is preparing for the next shortage of workers already by identifying underutilized parts of the labour force. See:

Preparing for the next employment surge

Mining, oil, and construction jobs lead labour market growth

Here's the latest payroll numbers from StatsCan. They show growth in the economy with the resource extraction and construction sectors leading in job creation, the finance and education sectors also showed improvement overall. See the links below for more information:

Grab your pickaxe - mining's the hottest job

Statistics Canada - Monthly Payroll Report

Can you be fired from your job for off-duty conduct?

Under Canadian law you can have your employment terminated for actions that you do outside the workplace. For example this can happens if a company feels its reputation has been damaged by your behavior or you make disparaging remarks about your employer on the internet. One has to be careful outside the workplace or your past actions may come back to haunt you. I have attached a link below to an article written by Toronto lawyer Daniel Lublin discussing this issue, see:

'Off-duty' behavior can be punished in the workplace

Canada and Mexico launch youth work exchange program

Canada and Mexico signed an agreement earlier this year allowing young people between the ages of 18 and 29 to receive temporary work visas in each of the respective countries. Both countries will begin processing applications under the Youth Mobility Program starting November 1, 2010. See the link below for more information about the program and the requirements:

Mexico and Canada Launch a Temporary Work Program for Youths 

What's the cost of job hopping millennials?

Job hopping isn't a recent trend, Gen X was doing it long before it became en vogue with the millennials, but what is the cost of the job hopping trend? See:

Gauging the cost of millennials' job hopping

Canadian universities building bridges to India

Here's an interesting opinion piece from the Vancouver Sun discussing the increasing links between India and Canadian universities. Soon a large number of university presidents will be conducting a trade mission to India, it'll be interesting to see what developments come about as a result of their trip. With an ever increasing focus on bring foreign students to Canada, these sorts of collaborative efforts will no doubt become commonplace. See:

Canadian universities build ties with India

Is corporate diversity at the executive level still a dream?

The Calvert Group Inc., a investment company in the United States, has released a critical report on the state of corporate diversity at top corporation in America and the results aren't encouraging. The report concludes that although women make up over half of the workforce stateside they aren't reflected on Board of Directors or in executive positions. See:

Corporate Diversity Still Coming Up Short for Women

B.C. splits up advanced education ministry

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell has taken the unusual step of splitting up its Ministry of Advanced Education into separate ministries for universities and colleges. This development is a tad bizarre considering that the overall trend in the Canadian post-secondary education sector points towards greater collaboration as it increases the options for students, build efficiencies, and makes better use of tax dollars.  We'll see how this one turns out, but at first blush it seems like a terrible direction for public policy related post-secondary education in British Columbia. See the links below for more information:

BC Splits Up Advanced Education Ministry

Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC Press Release

Canadian Federation of Students - British Columbia Press Release

New report on Ontario universities causing controversy

Yesterday I did a post on the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario's new report on differentiation within the post-secondary education sector in Ontario, today various advocacy groups are lining up against the report. This is unsurprising given that the report has been viewed in some quarters as support for a move toward a two-tiered system for universities in which the larger institutions get the lion's share of provincial resources. Below I've attached links to press releases discussing the report and a link to my original article, see:

OCUFA Press Release

Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario Press Release

Should Ontario's universities specialize more?

The Globe and Mail's 2011 ranking of universities

Post-secondary education is big business and so is the business of ranking them. Personally, I have always found the rankings that take place in Canada a tad pointless given that none of the survey ranks the strength of departments or faculties; which have the greatest impact on the overall education one will receive. Below I've attached a link to the Globe and Mail's 2011 rankings, see:

Canadian University Report

Should Ontario's universities specialize more?

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) is calling for increased specialization in Ontario's post-secondary education sector in a new report. Suggestions include having a more bespoke model where campuses focus on various core areas of strength and where there is a freeze on developing any new professional programs, like law or medicine. 


One area that would of been nice to have seen an expanded discussion on in the report is the possibilities relating to Ontario's colleges and how greater partnership can be forged with universities. With colleges be the entry-point for many people to post-secondary education a great focus on colleges in public-policy circles would benefit the system overall.


Below I've provided a link to an article discussing the report and the HEQCO report, see:

Is 'Speciality U' the future of Ontario's Ivory tower?

The Benefits of Greater Differentiation of Ontario's University Sector

What has been the impact of the recession on the millennial generation?

There are lasting impacts for cohorts that enter the workforce during a recession and for the millennials the recent economic downturn has been no exception. Among the problems are: stagnant wages, a weak labour market, the possibility of be leap-frogged by younger employee, and not learning the skills they would of picked up in the workforce. I see the effects everyday when I interact with my friends and peers, the poor economic environment has made starting career tremendously difficult. I've attached an excellent article below that explores the impact that the recession has had on the millennial generation below, see:

Not a Lost Generation, but a 'Disappointed' One: The Job Market's Impact on Millennials

Millennials in India view social media a force for cultural change

Here's an article from the magazine Fast Company that discusses the tremendous impact that social media is having on societies around the globe, it traces the impact of the rise of social media in India. I found the statistic that millennials in India are half as likely to view social media as solely a medium for entertainment when compared with millennials in France and the United States to be a very telling statistics. See:

India's Digital Future: Driven By Social Change Aspirations

Do the millennials give a damn about anything?

Here's a fascinating article by Phyllis Haserot, an inter-generation workplace expert, that challenges a recent study that millennials are less empathetic than previous generations. The idea that millennials are less altruistic seems to fly in the face of an overwhelming amount of anecdotal evidence to the contrary. Arguably, volunteerism defines the millennial generation to a great extent and the existence of a plethora of groups locally and provincially devoted to any number of social justice causes. 


On the other hand Haserot's observations about violence in the media and a general numbness arising out of 9/11 driving apathy are interesting in that these feelings are widely reflected in today's youth. There is a general malaise on some level that has infected society over the last ten years, which could be a function of  impact that the wars, the economy, and rapidly shifting world has had on our collective conscious. See:

Are Millennials a Bunch of Indifferent Brats?

Private sector wages outpace public sector

Wages increases in the private sector will outpace those in the public sector for 2011 according to a new Conference Board of Canada report released earlier this week, see the article below and a link to the actual report below:

Pay raises in private sector

Compensation Planning Outlook 2010: Cautious Optimism on the Road to Recovery

How to move past communicating with millennials through technology

Communicating today with the millennial generation is widely seen as a technology driven endeavor, that's true to a point, but that analysis is flawed in that millennials are hyper-conscious about branding, marketing, and advertising. They will see through attempts at communication that are disingenuous and not rooted in their core beliefs. 


Now these trends that marketers have picked up on can be transfered into the workplace, with initiatives that build a sense of community in a organization, developing an understanding of what an organization's core brand is, and giving back in the jurisdiction that you operate in through volunteerism, charity work, and assisting in community development. This won't just pay dividends in public relations, but in other areas like employee relations and customer service. Also, your millennial employees will be a whole lot happier and much likely to remain with the organization if they see it doing good in the world. See:

Why Brands Must Start Caring About Something Other Than Themselves

Is Bilbo Baggins union busting in New Zealand?

Warner Brothers executives and the Government of New Zealand have agreed to a deal that will keep production of the upcoming Hobbit film in the country. Threats were made when a labour action calling for better conditions for actors went haywire and tensions escalated. The agreement calls for changes to New Zealand's labour laws and a cash payment to Warner Brothers, see:

Hobbit Film Production to Stay in New Zealand

Should sex workers receive protection under employment law?

Here's a interesting article that discusses some of the reasoning related to the current constitutional challenge against Canada's prostitution laws. Sex workers often face conditions that other employees couldn't imagine, such as: beating, pay being withheld, and a lack of vacation days. See:

Sex workers courting a better deal

Are employers disconnected from their employees?

Here's an interesting article that discusses a new report form the consulting firm Towers Watson about employee relations around the world, among the key findings: job security is a paramount concern, mobility is down, and confidence in management is low. See:

Employee, employer gap widening: study

Should my company be using online videos to recruit millennials?

I spend a fair bit of time reading up on what advertisers and marketers are doing as they are on the frontline of trends and are more reflexive that older industries on responding to emerging technologies. Below I've linked an article that discusses the rise of online video and it's growing importance. If your organization doesn't have a web-based video presence already you should consider developing these resources, both as a branding tool and a method of attracting young millennial workers. A well produced series of videos highlighting the benefits of working for an organization can do wonders in boosting the quality and number of applicants for positions. See:

Revolution in a Box

What's the significance of Randy Hillier's private member's bill on labour relations?

Randy Hillier is a MPP from Eastern Ontario with a colourful history and he was making waves at Queen's  Park today as his private member's bill was debated in the provincial legislature. While the bill will almost certainly be defeated it raises an interesting issue in what possible changes to labour relations in Ontario might be in the offing under a Progressive Conservative government. Since the days of Bob Rae, successive governments have see-sawed on the labour relations file and if there is a change in government, legislation will be tabled that targets unions and there operations. See:

Union bill debate leads to karaoke at Queen's Park

Manitoba enacts new regulation to curb workplace harassment

Donna Seale, a leading human rights lawyer in Manitoba, has a new post up on her excellent blog, Human Rights in the Workplace, that discusses recent changes to provincial legislation in Manitoba addressing workplace harassment. The new regulation is based in large part on Manitoba's Human Rights Code and address both physical and psychological factors that effect an employee's well-being in the workplace. 


It's always interesting to see what the trends are in other jurisdictions and Manitoba seems to be copying the approach taken by Ontario with the changes enacted under Bill 168. Employers need to be cognizant of emerging trends related to harassment in the workplace and respond accordingly, as the price for not adhering to these new workplace norms can be far-reaching and the impacts can include: increased litigation costs, damaged reputation, and costly disability claims from employees. See:

Manitoba adds "personal harassment" to Workplace Safety and Health legislation

How do you get the best out of your millennial employees?

Millennials are the new transcontinental punching bag of managers, but is this pejorative labeling apt for the newest generation entering the workplace? It's not, this generation has undergone rapid changes that no other cohort has ever experienced and they're better off for it too. Here are a few tips to the grey matter thinking about how you can exploit your millennial employees towards greater productivity. Here are some tips:


1. Praise them. Hugging them might be a bit much, but millennials need to be praised, adored, and told that they're on the right track. Seriously, praise is free, but dealing with retention problems in the workplace is an expensive proposition.


2. Feedback is essential in motivating your millennial employees, they need to be eased into the workplace and be shown what working and what isn't.


3. Give them clearly defined goals and the support needed to reach these goals. Millennials are incredible workers, but they need to be given the space in which to work.


4. Respect their opinions. Millennials want to know that they are being listened to, if an idea gets suggested that isn't feasible then use it as a teachable moment to explain the realities of the business or workplace.


5. Ensure that there's a proper work-life balance. Millennials don't define themselves by their jobs and hold work-life balance as a top priority in looking for a employer. Give it to them by staggering hours if possible, enacting work from home options, and giving them the flexibility to deal with life.


I have attached an article below that discusses some of the issues that have been discussed above, see:

In praise of the millennial generation

Can you land a job through Youtube?

Youtube's application in the various sphere of life is rapidly evolving, but in the future one can be rest assured that video resumes will be commonplace and a means for employers to get to know a job candidate before they even walk in the door. See:

5 Ways to Get a Job Through Youtube

What do millennial women want?

Here's an interesting article discussing what women in the millennial generation want in life and their careers. It's an fascinating read, see:

How Millennial Women Are Shaping Our Future

How much would reforming the Employment Insurance system cost?

Here's a interesting article that casts stones at attempts by the Federal opposition parties to reform the Employment Insurance system in Canada, the problem is that the current model is broken and actually added to the economic woes in the last recession due to the changes enacted when Paul Martin was Finance Minister back in the nineties. See:

Changing EI system would cost billions: Report

Should employees be fired for using prescription drugs?

Here's a fascinating article from the New York Times about the use of drug testing in the United States and the trend for employers to deploy drug testing that results in employees using prescription drugs facing termination. This sort of testing would be hard to replicate in Canada where quasi-constitutional human rights statutes give force to equality rights in a very real fashion, see:

Drug Testing Poses Quandary for Employers

Should credit checks be used to screen new employees?

Here's an interesting article about an emerging issue in the United States about employers using credit check to screen employees for new positions, while this isn't a large concern at present in Canada, this trend could be coming here soon as household debt continues to rise. See:

Employers' access job candidates' credit scores as hiring qualification

Why unemployment is only part of the picture

Economic policy is complex, but most of what we hear about from politicians these days relates to jobs. Discussions about the suite of economic policies available to our government has been all but removed from political discourse in Canada, here's an article discussing why economic policy is more than unemployment statistics, see:

Economic policy is about more than just jobs

How should I deal with a bully in the workplace?

Harassment, violence, and bullying whether it be on the schoolyard or in the workplace can be a destructive force that damages everyone involved. Here are two articles that address these issues and provide some tips, see:

Steps to deal with violence at work

Bullying runs counter to a mainstay of ethical behavior

Should I take a service industry job to increase my skills?

Here's an interesting article that suggests that new graduates might want to consider taking positions in the service industry to bolster their skills and business acumen. While it might be an appropriate short-term strategy to gain experience, it's also a recipe for underemployment and damage to overall productivity. With Canada grappling with productivity problems and a huge number of post-secondary graduate underemployed this sort of advice can be a two-edged sword. See:

Smart moves can help grads find employment

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre gets a new Chair

Yesterday the Ministry of the Attorney General announced that Patrick Case has been appointed the new chair of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) replacing Raj Anand who oversaw the creation of the HRLSC and who's term as chair recently expired. Mr. Case is a lawyer with expertise in human rights law and is currently the Director of the Human Rights and Equity Office at the University of Guelph. The Human Rights Legal Support Centre was a created under Bill 107 to ensure direct access to human rights protection for Ontario's citizens. See:


New Chair Appointed To The Human Rights Legal Support Centre

Unemployment haunts boomers and millennials

Here's an interesting article that chronicles the parallels between unemployed millennials and boomers, a great read that goes into the heart of the American unemployment crisis. See:

Baby boomers, millennials have same woe: unemployment

Precarious employment on the rise in Nova Scotia

Precarious employment can come in many forms, such as: part-time work, contingent employment, contract position, and self-employment. These forms of employment often come with unsteady wages, uncertainty, and many unknowns. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has released a new reform indicating that self-employment is at an all-time high in Nova Scotia, see:

Self-employment in Nova Scotia hits an all-time high: lobby group

Number of people collecting EI down in B.C.

The number of people collecting Employment Insurance benefits is down in British Columbia for the third consecutive month, see:

B.C. EI beneficiaries dwindling

Proof of a labour market rebound?

Here's an article discussing what appears to be the beginning of a renewed phase of hiring by Canadian employers as the economy recovers from the recession, see:

Job market demonstrates signs of cautious recovery: experts

Has the recession ended in Toronto?

Here's an interesting article that discusses the economic situation in Toronto. None of this is surprising given a high unemployment rate a 9.2%, a rise in precarious employment, and increasing portion of the population relying on welfare. See:

Recession over? Not in Toronto area

Should men receive special consideration in medical school applications?

Here's an interesting article discussing the phenomena at some Canadian medical schools to address falling number of male medical school applicants through covert affirmative actions programs that are off the books and unknown to the public. See:

Is affirmative action for men the answer to enrollment woes?

Why aren't millennials engaged in politics?

Attribute it to cynicism, laziness, or general malaise with midterm elections about to happen stateside and bizarre municipal election season in Ontario many commentators are wondering why millennials seem to be disengaged in the political process. This is troubling given the increasing stakes that are involved in politics, see:

Young People Turn More Sour on Politics

How do you address workplace violence and harassment?

Harassment and violence in the workplace isn't good for business, causing: tension in the workplace, needless litigation, and tarnished reputations for all involved. Employers need to be proactive in addressing issues of harassment and violence by having: proper policies in place that conform with applicable law, having human resources and managers trained effectively in strategies to prevent and identify harassment, and rapid approach in dealing with issues as they arise. It makes good business sense and give meaning to the old saying of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Below I have attached an article discussing harassment and an excellent report from the Conference Board of Canada, see:

Reducing the costs of workplace violence

Managing the Risks of Workplace Violence and Harassment

Is Facebook the new normal for millennials in the workplace?

Facebook is everywhere these days, it ubiquitous and can be found in most workplaces these days. While there are a great many potential upsides to social media, there are also downsides with loss of productivity, strained interpersonal relations, and generational difference chief among these concerns. The millennial generation is evolving just like the use of emerging technologies, workplaces need to put in reflexive polices that can be adapted as the situation warrants. See:

Facebook voyeurism a part of workplace life: report

What is it like to be a millennial in China?

Here's an excellent article from AdAge discussing the general state the millennial generation in China, essentially there's unbridled optimism about the state of the country and future prospects. See:

Oh, to be a millennial in China

Why can't Alberta save for the future?

Alberta isn't good at saving. With massive profits rolling in from the tarsands the Government of Alberta simply isn't saving for the future and is using royalties from oil to fund operating expenses. This isn't a good situation, especially when on considers that oil is a non-renewable resources and the unknown future environmental impact that the tarsands will have. See:

Why the OECD tore a strip off Alberta

Do millennials need to learn some boundaries?

Millennials, they're the generation that has made over-sharing and the concept of too much information a mantra that must be strictly adhered to. Privacy is an idea that is ever evolving in our technology driven world, but it's not something that many of my generation take to heart, often to their detriment. In a harsh world, there are often things that the general public shouldn't be privy to, like: relationships, parties, alcohol use, and countless other things. Actions taken in the physical world often have implications online, things that aren't considered when you're having a good time or bantering with friends online. See:

Teaching Millennials some manners

What's the state of the global economy?

Here's an interesting article about the state of the global economy through the lens of Alberta, see:

Economies worldwide downshift to new normal

Voisey's Bay problems with labour relations continue

Here's an article discussing the continuing labour relations issues in the strike at the Vale's nickle mine at Voisey's Bay in Newfoundland, see:

Voisey's Bay impasse continues at deadline looms

Number of EI recipients flat in August

The number of people receiving Employment Insurance benefits stayed virtually unchanged in August according to the latest numbers out from Statistics Canada, see:

EI user numbers flat in August: StatsCan

Yanking the chain: university presidents now required to post expenses

The old adage goes "to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction", this could be applied to the situation facing hospital CEOs and university Presidents in Ontario as the government has introduced legislation to force the posting of expenses online. This comes in the wake of reports that hospitals and universities were hiring lobbyists to advocate on behalf of publicly-funded organizations. See: 

CEOs of Ontario's hospitals, universities ordered to post expenses

Whither the provincial wage freeze?

Another chapter has been written in the continuing saga of the provincially mandated wage freeze with three of locals agreeing to terms for a new three-year collective agreement (CA) with the University of Windsor. The CA has terms giving no wage increases for the first two years and a three percent increase in the third, but contains language giving lump sum payments in each of years. This agreement is below the norm for unionized employees in the post-secondary sector if one considers other CAs haven't adhered to the wage freeze; however, in the context of the local Windsor economy it's arguably a fair agreement when one looks at layoffs and unemployment rate. Although with the inclusion of lump sum payment it seems that the wage freeze is having a marginal impact on total value of compensation packages. See:

CAW Ratifies Deal with University of Windsor

CAW locals ratify collective agreements

Is a casual dress code a must-have for millennial workers?

Standards relating to dress codes have been changing over the past couple decades with casual dress codes now dominating Canadian workplaces. With millennial workers entering the labour market in greater numbers the trend is shifting to more casual dress and while not a dominate concern for this generation it does play into the overall office environment. In professions where image and corporate brand is important a push for a more business look won't raise the ire of the millennials, but for many workplaces this isn't a concern and the dress code should reflect that. See:

Reading between the clothes

What recourse do I have if I'm being harassed at work?

Harassment is an insidious phenomena that needs to be in all workplaces where it raises its ugly head. Ontario is a rather good jurisdiction to be harassed in as there are a number of avenues that you can pursue remedies through, let's explore these. If you are being harassed at work contact a lawyer or paralegal who specializes in employment law, pre-active legal advice is the best move in situations where your safety may be compromised.


Under Ontario's Human Rights Code harassment is not allowed if you can be link the behavior of the harasser to a protected ground such as: gender, age, sexual orientation, or race. As part of a series of reforms relating to the approach to human rights in Ontario, the government created the Human Rights Legal Support Centre which provides free legal advice and assistance in filing applications with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. See the links below for more information:

Human Rights Legal Support Centre

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

Under the recent changes to Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers must address incidents of workplace violence and harassment such as: threats, physical violence, or any other behavior that could reasonably interpreted as a threat leading to physical violence. For more information see the guide linked below or visit the Ministry of Labour website:

Workplace Violence and Harassment: Understanding the Law

Ministry of Labour

You can also pursue remedies available under the common law through the Superior Court of Justice or Small Claims Courts, for these this approach it's strongly advised to seek out legal advice. Generally, claims going through either of these courts are more complex and it's best to have solid legal advice before proceeding. The Law Society of Upper Canada has a lawyer referral service and a listing of all lawyers and paralegals in Ontario appearing on its website, see:

Law Society of Upper Canada

Below I've attached an article from Dan Lublin, a Toronto employment lawyer, in which he discusses a recent case involving workplace harassment and what the implications for the employer were, see:

Management avoids workplace complaints at their peril

What's the state of Canada's pension system?

Here's an article discussing the state of Canada's pension system in comparison to other countries, see the article below and the actual report from Mercer:

Canada's pension ranked among best, but could be better

Mercer Global Pension Index

Is the geographical location of a university important?

Dropping the geographical location of a university is radical talk in Canada, but it's the wave of the future as online learning, global competition for students, and student preference to stay in their home communities take precedence. On Monday night Max Blouw, the President of Wilfred Laurier University, made a observation that the university would be less geographically based in the future. While not an overly innovative prediction, it's an accurate view of where post-secondary education is headed in Canada. The trends in post-secondary education in Ontario are towards dispersed campuses responding to local needs, greater personalization, and greater branding. See:

Laurier celebrates its past, looks to wider focus in the future

Free tuition for all?

There has been voice added to the debate over tuition in Canada and I'm sure it'll surprise most people. Over the weekend the Premier of Prince Edward Island, Robert Ghiz, stated his prediction that within ten years there would be an end to tuition fees, see:

End tuition to broaden access: Premier

Is homophobia rampant in our schools?

Years ago when I was in high-school homophobia was rampant and out of control. Back then bullying was trendy and teachers did little to stop it. I witnessed any number tragic consequences which included widespread depression, poor academic performance, and suicide. Targeting someone for some manner of difference, any trivial manner of difference seems to be the bread and butter of social hierarchies. It's wrong and needs to be confronted head on. 


Attached is an article written by Kristopher Wells, a PH.D candidate at the University of Alberta, that addresses whether Canadian school have a hidden problem with homophobia. While this issue has been much discussed in the United States, there hasn't been a tremendous amount discussion in Canada. As a country we're more liberal and progressive when in comes to rights for sexual minorities, but that doesn't mean there isn't a great deal of homophobia present in society. See:

No place for homophobia in schools

Why is social enterprise lagging behind in Canada?

Development of social enterprises trails behind many other advanced industrial nations, with Canada faring rather poorly in comparison. Here's an interesting article that discusses the trend, see:

Canada playing catch-up in social enterprise

Problems at the RCMP continue

The problems in the upper echelons of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue with Commissioner William Elliot structuring a series of retirements and constructive dismissals. A number of very senior officers have left or are the process of leaving the national police force. This all comes in the wake of complaints about Elliot's leadership ability, or lack thereof, that appeared publicly in the media earlier this summer. While the complaints were substantiated following an investigation by Reid Morden, Elliot retained the support of Prime Minister Harper and remains on the job. Seems like the government is getting rid of the wrong people and may be keeping a bully in the workplace, as Elliot has a rich history of problematic behavior that has followed him throughout his career in the Federal civil service. See:

RCMP shuffle top brass as rumours of dire morale continue

Do we need less regulation and lower taxes to protect the economy?

The Conference Board of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are calling for a corporate tax reduction, lower regulatory measures, and reduced compliance costs as a means of securing the ongoing recovery. See:

Canada warned to take steps to secure economy

Has the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy crumbled?

On Friday, the Pentagon issued a new directive related to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which essentially banned gays and lesbians from openly serving in the American armed forces. The new directive states that military recruiters are allowed to accept openly gay recruits, see:

Pentagon to Military Recruiters: You Can Accept Openly Gay Candidates

Bank of Canada cites depressed labour market in keeping interest rates down

The Bank of Canada announced today that it would not increase interest rates, citing continued global uncertainty related to the economic recovery, a challenging labour market, and increased pressure from household debt. See:

Bank of Canada: Statement at a glance

What are the top emerging technologies for the workplace?

Here's an article discussing the top emerging trends for 2011, it's always good to stay current and on top of new technology. See:

Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2011

In the new economy millennials aren't letting work define them

Here's an interesting article that makes the observation that for millennials work isn't as important as it was for previous generations in the twentieth century, see:

Americans Rethinking Role of Work Amid Painful Recession, Says FSU Researcher

Tips for communicating with the millennial generation

Here's an excellent article from Fast Company that discussing emerging trends in relation to communicating with the millennial generation, see:

5 Takeaways about "Mass-Personalization"

Warning: don't be like The Gap

The Gap, the America clothing retailer, faced a online revolt over the last couple of weeks as it unveiled it's new logo. Normally I wouldn't comment on a company's logo change, but it highlights an important trend in the millennial generation: they'll walk. Be it the workplace, with a brand, or in their personal lives. If you betray their trust, it'll cost you dearly to get them back. The key is effective stakeholder relations, building a dialogue, and and garnering feedback. Engagement with millennials is all important, you need to be engaged in active listening and this concept can be difficult to learn if your organization doesn't have a history of it. See:

Gap revives old logo in the face of customer revolt

How do you bridge the generation gap in the workplace?

Training millennial workers and bridging the generation gap in the workplace can be a tough slough. I've provided some pointers below that should be of assistance to managers and human resources professionals who are struggling to make a breakthrough in this areas. This requires a different mode of thinking, you need to put yourself in the mindset of the millennial generation and respond to the changing requirements of your workforce. This isn't business as usual, it's confronting a rapidly evolving trends that are pushing the dynamics your younger employees. Tips:


1. Consider issues like: work-life balance, professional development, flexible work arrangements, and educational opportunities. Other than salary, which is an ever important issue, these are the issues that are at the front of an employees mind. 


2. Pair high performing younger employees with senior managers in mentoring relationships. Retention strategies are important concepts for today's human resources professional to understand. With job jumping a growing workplace phenomena, steps must be taken to secure young employees from leaving and hooking up with a professional. In the coming talents wars retention issues are going to be on the forefront of organizational priorities.


3. Employee engagement is crucial. Your young employees need to know that their ideas are being considered and acted upon if warranted. The process of feedback is crucial in developing a high-performance workplace where people are listened to. Nothing will push millennials out of an organization faster than bad attitudes, poor communication, and an environment where authority is wielded around in an inappropriate fashion.


4. Make emerging technology a part of the workplace. This concept goes hand in hand with the aforementioned strategies and when effectively deployed can lead to a sea change in productivity and innovation. Are you using social media, instant messaging, and virtual office environments? If not, then you need to consider hiring people who understand the changing role of technology in a corporate environment.


5. Millennials need feedback, so give it to them. Consider having managers meet with millennial employees one-on-one on a weekly basis for feedback sessions. A lot of issues can be resolved in an informal environment before they appear as problems.


6. Be prepared for push-back, attempts at negotiation workplace boundaries, and a lot of self-advocacy. Millennials have a bit of an attitude, this is simply part of the generational zeitgeist. Learn to work with this dynamic and benefit from it.


7. Ensure that the values of your employees line up with the organizational values. It's crucial for branding in a globalized world to have a strong sense of who you are and what your organization stands for. You won't be in competition for top talent unless you can define your organization, what it stands for, and where it's headed. Millennials want to know everything for an organization before they walk in the door to an interview, so give it to them online. You'll be doing everyone a favour and allowing people to determine whether they'd be a good 'fit' before even applying.


8. Stay current on workplace trends and issues facing millennials, generation X, and the boomers. It pays dividends to have strong intelligence on emerging trends and dynamics.


I've attached an article below discussing some of the issues that I have raised here, if you would like to continue the conversation then please contact me. See:

Bridging the new generation gaps

Are small businesses leading the economic recovery?

According to this article, small businesses in British Columbia are leading the economic recovery. See:

Small business leads economic upswing

Are Canadian employers on the verge of a hiring boom?

According the Association of Canadian Search, Employment, and Staffing Services they are. The Association's newest benchmark data shows that employer hiring intentions are at the highest point they've been in twenty months. See:

Hiring intentions climb

Facebook firings: terminations for online activities on the rise

Here's an article that traces the cases of three New York State teachers who have been fired from their positions in the last six months due to online activity on Facebook, see:

Teachers sacked for Facebook flirt with pupils

Frontiers of education: online learner centred platforms

I'm a big proponent of online education, it's simply the way of the future. Here's an interesting article from the University of Phoenix charting the development of a new online system that detects students' learning styles and then adapts to them. Brilliant stuff, see:

Like Netflix, New College Software Seeks to Personalize Recommendations

Earnings gap between university and high-school graduates widening

Here's is some interesting research coming out of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) tracing the widening earnings gap between post-secondary graduates and high-school graduates. I've attached an article discussing the research and the research summary from HEQCO, see:

Earnings gap widens between high-school and post-secondary graduates

HEQCO Research Summary

Are Chinese recruitment agencies abusing their power over students?

Here's a disturbing article that traces problematic actions carried out by some Chinese recruitment agencies operating on behalf of Canadian universities. I have always been suspicious of university programs that recruit primarily foreign students, having personally seen questionable curriculums and excessively high tuition charged. Having situations like the ones described in the article for foreign students doesn't serve the interests of anyone other than those who are collecting the tuition payments. See:

Chinese students pay dearly for Canadian 'education'

Are Canadian universities subject to the Charter?

Here's an interesting court decision that's bound to have some consequences on university campuses across the county. The case centred around allegations from undergraduate students that a sessional lecturer, Aruna Mitra, was incompetent and abrasive. The University of Alberta used internal discipline protocols to force students to apologize for comments that appeared on Facebook. Justice Jo'Anne Strekaf ruled that universities are subject to the provisions in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms relating to freedom of speech. See:

Charter defends free speech rights of university students

Are arbitration awards getting out of hand?

The editors at the Globe and Mail are calling for McGuinty to enact binding legislation to force a wage freeze on public sector wages for unionized employees, but what they fail to mention is that the recent wage increases have simply matched comparable increases in the private sector. See:

Arbitration awards are getting a bit rich

Is the Saskatchewan job market really that rosy?

Critics of the Saskatchewan government are pointing to a rise in part-time jobs and temporary work as proof that the jobs picture isn't so pleasant, see:

Sask. boasts highest employment numbers

Why hasn't education caught up to the 21st century?

Here's an excellent and entertaining video about the ideas of Sir Kenneth Robinson, a noted education theorist, who argues that there is something terribly rotten about the education system in today's world. See:

Changing Education Paradigms

New study explores female millennials

Being independent is extremely important for today's young women, a new study released today explores various trends in female millennials. See:

Women's most important life goal is being independent, study says

Why are millennials so offensive at work?

I've worked with people from various generations and I've learned that it's the personality rather than their age that makes the difference. See the article below for pure vitriol directed at millennials, see:

Why Are Young People So Offensive In The Workplace?

Is being a boy a disease?

Here's an interesting article about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in relation to young men in North American society, see:

Are we medicating a disorder or treating boyhood as a disease?

Why are men failing in society?

The Globe and Mail recently ran a series of features on education and males, the inquiry into this area isn't pretty. From primary education on up males trails females in terms of achievements, graduation rates, and sheer numbers. Having seen first hand how young males aren't served particularly well, it doesn't surprise where we've arrived after decades of ignoring this issue. The impact on society is tremendous as men aren't adapting to the changing terrain of the economy and society around them. Below I've attached a number of articles from the series, spending some time reading them is well worth it. See:

How boys are falling behind girls

Failing boys and the powder keg of sexual politics

Five reasons why boys are failing

Are millennials great innovators?

Here's an interesting article discussing how businesses can benefit from the innovative skills of the millennial generation, see:

Business Ethics for a New Generation: The Innovators

Is Harper fudging the truth about the Canadian job market?

Here's an article that challenges the Federal Government's assertion that all of the jobs lost during the recession have been recovered, see:

The real state of Canada's jobs market

Do millennials need a trip to Miss Manners?

Etiquette and a sense of decorum are welcome almost everywhere, but for millennials it seems that they can't put away the I-Pods or stop the constant texting. With this trend pervasive, private programs that teach etiquette are booming as young people try to find any way to boost their chances of landing a job. Attached is an article discussing this trend, see:

Why Etiquette Schools Are Thriving

Do millennials need to guard their privacy online?

In an age when one-half of employers use internet searches to pre-screen candidates the millennial generation needs to carefully monitor how they appear on the internet. I have seen friends lose out on jobs because of what appears on the internet and it only takes one picture or off-colour comment to make a negative first impression before you even walk in the door. See:

Millennials: Protect Your Privacy