Canadian HR Reporter

NEWS BRIEFS As Canada's economy reopens as the pandemic subsides, effective COVID-19 testing and tracing (T&T) could be crucial, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). This approach is associated with a reduction in working hour losses of as much as 50%, as the countries with the lowest T&T intensity had an average working hours loss of 14%, compared with 7% for countries with the highest intensity. The ILO estimates 4.8% per cent of working hours were lost during the first quarter of 2020 (equivalent to about 135 million full-time jobs), according to preliminary findings from an online survey of more than 1,300 respondents. However, a May 2020 survey by KPMG found that 92% of Canadians feel digital contact-tracing apps must balance privacy concerns with public safety — although 60% per cent would sacrifice their privacy if it helped stop the virus. The mental health of Canadians who have had their pay reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic has declined more than those who have lost their jobs completely, a recent study has found. Morneau Shepell's Mental Health Index report for May showed a significant decline in the overall mental health of Canadians, with the main contributing factors being anxiety, depression and work productivity. Canadians who continued to work at the same income level had the best mental health scores, although it's still a significant drop from pre- pandemic levels. Interestingly, those who still had PAY CUTS TAKE TOLL ON MENTAL HEALTH CONTACT TRACING COMBATS LOSSES 65% Half of Canadian workers have received employer-provided training in the past five years, but younger, higher- paid workers seem to receive more opportunities for this training, according to a survey by the Environics Institute for Survey Research of 5,000 people. Many people have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, but those still working have faced a negative impact as well. One in five employees feels COVID-19 has threatened some aspect of their job, an online poll of 1,099 U.S. workers by the Society for Human Resource Management has found. The pandemic has negatively affected: Feelings on contact tracing: • The government should require Canadians to use their smartphones to anonymously share their COVID-19 status (45%) • T&T apps are "too invasive" (66%) • Digital contact tracing should be voluntary (55%) • Contract tracing won't be effective unless it's mandatory (55%). their jobs but had their salary reduced had the lowest scores — lower than Canadians who had lost their jobs completely. "Canadians are struggling to cope with changes on how they socialize, work and maintain overall health and well-being," says Paula Allen, senior vice president of research, analytics and innovation at Morneau Shepell. "We also see that certain factors make a difference: losing salary even if you keep your job; the support and recognition you get for your work and the risks you face; [and] whether your organization has an EAP." • 63% of workers aged 18 to 24 45% 66% 55% 55% 31% personal opportunies 28% pay and benefits 24% job security 22% safe working conditions Negative job impacts from COVID-19 Higher-paid workers improving skills • 63% of those earning $100,000 or more • 42% of those earning $30,000 or less • 36% of workers aged 55 and older • 52% of workers aged 25 to 54 WHO'S RECEIVING TRAINING? ILL EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC MIXED FEELINGS ON CONTACT TRACING 14 www.hrreporter.com M A R K E T N E W S

• Cover