Canadians take time off work to shop for Christmas presents
According to a study conducted on behalf of eBay Canada by TNS Ncompass Online Omnibus, two in ten Canadians have skipped work—or considered it—to complete their Christmas shopping. Other employees admit to being distracted by holiday shopping at their job, cutting down on productivity. This year, Canadians are shopping for ten gifts to offer seven people on their list. The poll was conducted September 30 to October 4 with over a thousand respondents aged 16 to 64.
Pyjamas and strange hats—Unusual interview attire
Recruiting firm OfficeTeam polled 670 HR managers on the most unusual attire sported by candidates in interviews. Among the flashy clothing more fitted for a night on the town than an interview: low-waist pants, a leather vest with no shirt, a very low-cut blouse, a sequined top, or a micromini and fishnet stockings. In the “straight out of the 80s” category, the gold medal goes to blue and green hair, the silver to the tie-dye t-shirt and the bronze to the off-the-shoulder shirt. Others prefer to go the sporty route with their yoga or jogging outfits, while some attempt to show how relaxed they are with pyjamas and slippers, or vacation attire like sundresses and shorts. A special mention goes to the applicant who wore his former employer’s uniform.
Provinces launch an appeal for Canada Pension Plan increase
Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario have joined forces to ask the federal government to increase the Canada Pension Plan. The finance ministers are scheduled to meet in Kananaskis, Alberta soon. At this time, the provinces hope to see progress on two fronts. They would like pension innovation such that pensions are affordable, as well as a modest, phased-in and fully funded enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan.
Canada Post pay equity case to be heard by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal by the Public Service Alliance of Canada in its ongoing pay equity dispute against Canada Post. In 2005, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found Canada Post guilty of pay discrimination, after 12 years of proceedings in which PSAC claimed that women were less well paid than men for equal work. Two years ago, the Federal Court set aside the tribunal’s decision, a ruling that was upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal.
59% of U.S. workers will be checking their work e-mail during the holidays
According to a Xobni poll of over 2,000 U.S. workers, 59% of employees will be checking their work e-mail over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and of these, 55% will check it at least once a day. Reasons for doing so included to avoid being overwhelmed with e-mails on the first day back at work. Moreover, the study revealed that women are less likely than men to indulge in this behaviour, with 50% of them vs. 67% of men checking work e-mails during holidays.
Prince Edward Island introduces Pension Benefits Act
If the proposed Pension Benefits Act is passed, Prince Edward Island employers will be obligated to register their pension plans and to make financial disclosure on a regular basis. The Act also establishes the circumstances in which employees may access their retirement funds. The goal is set clear rules to protect the retirement assets of employees. The proposal would harmonize the province’s system with the rest of Canada, and give Islanders the same protection that employees in other jurisdictions already have.