December 5, 2022

In this episode: current labour market trends, new work permit rules for low-wage foreign workers, inadequate personal protective equipment for women, inclusion issues in the tech sector, and other topics.  Stay with us to get the latest HR updates.

Follow us on twitter at Canada Human Resources News (@cadHRnews) and LinkedIn at Canada HR News Podcast for more updates.

1. Indeed reports that In November employment and hours worked were fairly flat. full-time jobs saw a decent rise, and layoff rates remained low | November Labour Force Survey: No News is Good News (hiringlab.org) 
2. The federal government is expanding the temporary foreign worker permit extension rule to lower-wage earners | Wider talent pool: Ottawa expands work permits for foreign workers | Canadian HR Reporter 
3. Alberta’s government is funding additional micro-credential programs to help Albertans develop the skills to build new careers | More opportunities to develop job-ready skills | alberta.ca 
4. Employees in federally regulated private-sector workplaces are now eligible for 10 days of paid sick leave | Minister O’Regan announces final regulations to bring 10 days of paid sick leave into force  - Canada.ca 
5. According to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index 77 per cent of Canadian employees face a moderate to high mental-health risk | 77% of Canadian workers facing moderate to high mental-health risk: survey | Benefits Canada.com 
6. Physical differences are not always taken into account in the development of PPE and PPE standards for men and women | Canadian Women’s Experiences with Personal Protective Equipment in the Workplace - CSA Group 
7. Snap Inc. is the latest technology company requiring employees to return to the office | Snap requiring employees to work onsite four days per week | Benefits Canada.com 
8. As of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, more employees at B.C.’s agencies, boards, commissions, and a number of Crown corporations will be protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act | Province expands whistleblower protections | BC Gov News 
9. Canada’s technology workforce is plagued by gaps in both pay and participation rates for women, people of colour and immigrants | Further and Further Away: Canada's unrealized digital potential (brookfieldinstitute.ca)