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As Albert Einstein once said: “Play is the highest form of research.” We’re taught to play at a young age – to be creative, think innovatively, be imaginative.  And then, out of nowhere, we’re told to put aside our childish things, grow up, and move on. But, as HR leaders are starting to realise, it … Read more

As a former human resources manager, I can assure that most employees are not aware that they are annoying you. You may find your loved one’s quirks adorable, but when it comes to your colleagues’ annoying habits, some simply drive you crazy! From coast to coast, Canadians in different sectors of the economy write to … Read more

Meet Jana Hashim, HR professional and fashion model. A multitude of personalities, work and management styles, along with deadlines don’t always make for the most harmonious of environments. For Hashim, this is simply an opportunity to work her magic. She thrives on the challenge of disseminating personality quirks, building teams and resolving conflicts. “I think … Read more

Growing up, I was a very sensitive child. One of my earliest memories is of freaking out after seeing a particularly bad story on the news. I don’t remember what the story was about, but I do remember running into my bedroom, plugging my ears, and making up a song about how “everything will be … Read more

Workplace psychologist says employee recognition programs don’t always work. Employee recognition programs are a popular way to appreciate staff — but they can sometimes backfire, says workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman. Newman sat down with The Early Edition host Rick Cluff to describe the pros and cons of these programs, and how management can more effectively reward their employees for their good … Read more

Many kinds of loss can affect your work: divorce, retirement, job loss, failure of a project and so on. This article focuses on grief following the loss of a loved one. The suggestions will help you cope with your own loss or support a bereaved co–worker. Understanding grief and its effects Many of us experience … Read more

As COVID-19 cases surge across Canada and a “second wave” looms, some people may feel worsening mental health. Throughout the pandemic, Canadians have reported that they are experiencing depression and loneliness, even as anxiety and worry lessened around the disease itself, according to national surveys by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and … Read more

Right now, you are probably getting an earful from your inner voice. You know, that little commentator in your head that is always chattering? It can either sound like the leader of the pep squad, bolstering your confidence, whispering instructions, and boosting performance; or the nagging mother-in-law sabotaging your success with negative comments and cutting … Read more

Lisa called me to get some advice about a colleague named Wendy whom she called a drama queen. (Both names are pseudonyms.) She started pointing out several exchanges and I asked her to just describe the last one. As Lisa described what happened, she became emotional and declared that the woman hates her and is … Read more

It is not simple to resolve conflict within businesses where people bring in different points of view, cultures and values. Resolving conflict within a family may be even more complex because the members have had a lifetime of interacting with one another and their differences may be deep rooted and may have defined their interactions … Read more