Canadian HR Reporter

E D I T O R I A L 6 www.hrreporter.com EDITORIAL Editor/Supervisor: Sarah Dobson Employment Law Editor: Jeffrey R. Smith Labour Relations News Editor: John Dujay Production Editor: Patricia Cancilla Contributors: Melanie Samuels Matthew Smallacombe CORPORATE Chief Executive Officer Mike Shipley Chief Operating Officer George Walmsley President Tim Duce Chief Information Officer Colin Chan Human Resources Manager Julia Bookallil ADVERTISING Business Development Manager: Fred Crossley (416) 644-8740 ext. 236 fred.crossley@keymedia.com Vice President Sales John Mackenzie PRODUCTION Designer: Ace Dequina Production Coordinator: Kim Kandravy Client Success Coordinator: Kshipra Dhindaw MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Subscriptions and Circulation manager: Keith Fulford Marketing Coordinator: Charlyn Macaraeg Global Head of Media Marketing: Adrijana Monevska ISSUE 33.05.2020 www.hrreporter.com Mental health vital as economy re-opens WRITING this in April, the COVID-19 pandemic is still in full swing in Canada. But it looks like we're flattening the curve, as only essential businesses are open and people prudently practise social distancing while often wearing masks. Our hospitals are not seeing the overwhelming numbers first feared, and an end is in sight. What kind of end is the still the great unknown. How our lives will resume is still very much up in the air when it comes to socializing, working, travelling or trying to run a business. And while we know concerns about physical safety will be paramount — in bringing people back together in the workplace, back together in transit, back together for meetings and conferences — what's less clear is the mental health impact. We know that people are scared, and they have been for months. Not only that, people who have lost their jobs, whether temporarily or permanently, in the midst of a pandemic have suffered a double blow compared to a termination in healthier economic times. And those layoffs can impact others in a household, too. Considering all that, employers will definitely want to keep in mind the mental health of employees returning to the physical workplace. After months of isolation, uncertainty, financial hardship and possible health issues — if not the deaths of family, friends or co-workers — there will inevitably be those who don't cope well. While employers will be focusing on rebuilding relationships and teams, ensuring physical safety and hygienic practices and rejuvenating the business, they will want to make sure wellness is a big priority. As we know, the mental health of employees can be directly related to issues such as productivity, engagement and the bottom line. It's also the right thing to do. Hopefully, smart employers have been on top of the mental health challenge from day one of this crisis, supporting people through the transition into and out of the pandemic, so they'll be in better shape once things return to — the new — normal. How our lives resume is very much up in the air when it comes to socializing, working, travelling or running a business Sarah Dobson, editor, Canadian HR Reporter group Contents of Canadian HR Reporter are copyright © 2020 HAB Press Limited and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. HAB Press Limited disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. HST/GST # 70318 4911 RT0001 Canada Post – Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement 41261516 International Standard Serial Number 0838-228X. The publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, colour transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts or other materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. KEY MEDIA and the KEY MEDIA logo are trademarks of Key Media IP Limited, and used under license by HAB Press Limited. Canadian HR Reporter is a trademark of HAB Press Limited. 20 Duncan St. 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON. M5H 3G8 www.hrreporter.com Subscription price: Canada: $175 plus tax; US and International: $175 USD Canadian HR Reporter makes every effort to ensure accuracy in all items reported, but cannot accept responsibility for the representations or claims made by sources used. It is also not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. HR_AD_REVISED_APR_2020.indd 1 HR_AD_REVISED_APR_2020.indd 1 2020-04-24 9:30 AM 2020-04-24 9:30 AM

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