Randstad ranked in 50 Best Workplaces in Canada for the second time
For the second year in a row, Randstad Canada has made it into the Great Place To Work Institute's "50 Best Workplaces in Canada" list. Randstad ranked 34th in 2008; a 20-place drop from last year, when it ranked 14th. The list recognizes companies where employees "trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with."
Emplois.ca: the most expensive website in Canada!
It’s been a few days now that companies were squabbling over the domain name . Since Thursday the 24th of April, jobWings Careers, founder of HRjob, has been the lucky winner. Thus, the company broke a new record on the domain name market, becoming the one who spent the most to get a .ca extension. Only a month ago, with a price of 41 000 $ banks.ca was the last breaking record website. Still, not quite the same as the “.com” extension websites where expenses are considerably more impressive. Last May 2002, Monster.com bought jobs.com for 800 000 $!
To be noted: the .ca websites have just reached the million registered websites.
Increasing job creation… along with increasing unemployment
Unemployment was up in March in Canada, despite the creation of 15,000 jobs during that same period.According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate reached 6%, up from 5.8% in February, its lowest level in 33 years. In addition, the participation rate (those who have a job and those who are actively looking for one) reached a record high of 68%. During the past 12 months, estimated job growth was 325,000 (+1.9%). Most new jobs were part time, with 34,000 jobs created (greatest increase since November 2006).
According to the Statistics Canada report, "Alberta and British Columbia were the only provinces with notable employment gains in March." The employment rate in British Columbia reached 64%, and Alberta's participation rate hit 74.7%, the highest rate in the country. Alberta added 10,000 workers, while British Columbia added 15,000.
Workplace safety: fewer accidents but more fatalities in Alberta
The number of workplace injuries decreased in 2007 in Alberta; conversely, the number of fatalities increased by about 25%, from 124 to 154, according to a study by Alberta Employment and Immigration. Forty-one per cent of the deaths were linked to occupational diseases, 31% to workplace incidents and 28% to car accidents. Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration., said “. . . there are still far too many workers in Alberta getting killed on the job. Quite frankly, it’s unacceptable and we need to step up our collaborative efforts with industry, labour, safety associations and workers.” April 28 is National Day of Mourning, commemorating workers whose lives have been lost or injured in the workplace.
One out of every five communities in Canada vulnerable to population decline
According to a Statistics Canada study, one out of every five communities in Canada is vulnerable to a loss of population, and about one in 20 is vulnerable to a decline in employment. The communities most vulnerable to declines in population and employment are communities in the Prairies, northern Ontario, northern Quebec and the most remote regions of Atlantic Canada. The jobs involved are in traditional sectors, such as agriculture, forestry and manufacturing. Increased foreign competition as a result of globalization has rendered communities whose economy is based on these primary resources more vulnerable.
Increasing number of working seniors in Saskatchewan
New retirees are getting back in the saddle. . . An increasing number of Saskatchewan seniors 55 years of age and older are choosing to go back to work. According to a study by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, 36% of the population in this age group is employed, up from 30% five years ago—a trend which should continue in the years to come.
The Guide de l’emploi celebrates its 10th anniversary
Each year, more than 25,000 copies are distributed free of charge to educational establishments. Mainly addressed to graduates and placement service coordinators, the Guide de l’emploi lists those Quebec companies which are hiring. It's a valuable tool to connect with the maximum number of students hitting the job market.
To reserve your copy, contact Ms. Catherine Brochu, at 1 800 361-7755.
Quebec: one worker out of two stressed at work
According to a CROP poll conducted on behalf of ORHRI [Quebec order of CHRP and CIRC], 49% of workers said they were very stressed at work. Women were more stressed than men, with 53% stating they were sressed, vs 44% of their male counterparts. Finally, 31% said they had difficulty balancing their work and personal lives. Fifty-one per cent of Quebec workers considered that workplace stress was increasing.