Have you made your 2023 New Years Human Resource Resolutions?

January 9, 2023

Nancy Shapiro^*

As we start off the new year it is a good time to review your practices and think of adopting some new ones.  What are the ways to do what you do better?  Here are a few thoughts on what we see businesses missing or getting wrong with great frequency.

1. 1. Not updating policies
      Your Workplace Violence and Harassment Policy as well as your Health and Safety Policy are required to be reviewed and updated as required annually. This means, reviewed, revised if needed, re-dated and re-signed.

1. 2. Failing to provide required and regular workplace training
      All employees are required to be trained on Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention as well as Workplace Safety. Those employees who deal with customers/anyone outside the company are required to have Accessible Customer Service Training.  Onboarding is a great time to do this, but it is often missed.  It is a best practice to do annual training on all workplace policies for all employees.  Keep it current!

1. 3. Missed Health and Safety compliance
      If you have more than 5 workers, you need a Worker Health and Safety Representative (not management).  If you have more than 20 workers you need a Health and Safety Committee.

1. 4. Missing updates to legislation
      Most recently, compliance with the Working for Workers Act, 2021 and 2022.  If you have more than 25 employees you now need to have written policies on Disconnecting from Work and Electronic Monitoring.

1. 5. Failing to pay overtime
      Salaried employees may get overtime.  Job descriptions should be reviewed and eligibility determined.  For all eligible employees a system for approval and tracking/reporting of overtime and a legal way to provide compensation should be established.

1. 6. Missed report filing
      If you have more than 20 employees, you are required to report every three years on your AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities) compliance.  If you were required to file this report in 2014 which was the first year it was required, you will be required to file it again by December 31, 2023.

It is never too late to improve what you are doing and get it right.  It is never too late to comply!  The bigger mistake is avoidance.  Some of these errors can lead to very significant liabilities for employers as well as the imposition of hefty fines.

Always working towards risk management for our clients, we are here to help!

Share