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Top 5 articles of 2021!

We are fortunate to see an increase in visits to our website in 2021 with lots of help from our active volunteers! Now we present the top 5 articles visitors read on our website in 2021.

5. What is Work Culture? Where does it come from and how do we change it?

There are few topics as broad, or fundamental as culture. Most of us only recognize the dimensions of our culture when we begin to compare our way of life to that of another. Workplace culture is built of all the customs, habits, traditions, values, skills, beliefs, and knowledge of the people included in the company. (Nelson, Quick, Armstrong, Roubecas, Condie, 2021) It affects everything that happens, every action taken, and is shaped by every person that is included. Culture regulates behavior through norms and values, and in so defines the character of a company. (Nelson, 2021)

4. How to combat transphobia in the workplace

As pride month comes to an end, we take a moment to pause and re-evaluate the changes that still need to be made in our world today. Each individual should have the right to an environment where they feel free to express themselves and be accepted for who they are. Do those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community feel safe, secure and accepted in their workplaces? The answer to this in 2021 is still an unsatisfactory no.

3. The facts about workplace harassment

One of the most common issues that employees face within the workplace is harassment. Many Canadians over the age of 15 are likely to fall victim or be a witness to workplace harassment over the course of their career.

2. Minimum Wage, Minimum Effort?

From beginning to end, challenging the status quo is the incremental path of social and societal evolution. When dust settles and senses rest on something out of place, what starts as an individual musing grows into initiative for change. From one mind, or more likely, a hearty discussion of many: a framework erects and is bolted together by sound reasoning and good intentions for the future. At last, change finds its way to the hands of a doer; a creator.

1. Vaccination etiquette in the workplace

In these unprecedented times, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to light many questions. As the world is moving towards reopening, employees and employers are concerned about what the etiquette surrounding vaccination status will be. Whether or not the question of vaccination status can be posed, not only by customers, but also by employers as a condition for the job. Should employers be allowed to require the disclosure of their employees vaccination status as a condition of employment?

This article was mostly contributed to and edited by J2DW staff & volunteers!

Top 5 articles of 2018!

We are fortunate to see an increase in visits to our website in 2018 with lots of help from our active volunteers! Now we present the top 5 articles visitors read on our website in 2018.

5. How to deal with religious accommodations in the Workplace

Freedom of religion, in Canada, is a constitutionally protected right that allows religious believers the freedom to assemble and worship without limitation or interference. Religious discrimination is treating individuals differently in their employment because of their religion, their religious beliefs and practices, denying their reasonable request for accommodation or a change in a workplace rule or policy that denies employees equal opportunities due to their religious beliefs or practices. Canadian employers are required to accommodate the reasonable needs of religious employees in the workplace.

4. Women in the Workplace: The Hidden Battle

Throughout our history, women have adopted new roles from working as a housewife to entering the workplace and providing for their family or oneself. As women entered the workplace, we saw issues of sexual harassment, unequal pay and opportunity starting to emerge. These issues are still seen and frequently voiced today as women are continuously taking a stand for their rights. Unfortunately, there are many issues that go unnoticed that need to be addressed. Every day women have to prove that they are just as good or better than their counterparts and when they fail to do so they are labeled as weak, incompetent or just plain lazy.

3. Lack of Diversity in the Workplace Can Cause Stress Among Employees

The success of an organization in today’s competitive world depends upon how well it embraces the challenges of diversity and realizes its benefits. Employees from different backgrounds, ages and ethnicities bring their own set of experiences and world views, and are better able to provide a wider range of solutions to developing problems. Most of all, a lack of diversity has been linked to increased discrimination which in turn leads to elevated stress levels among employees. The National Center for Biotechnology Information note that discrimination due to immigrant status, legal status, skin tone or language can contribute to increased stress in individuals.

2. The Pros and Cons of Hiring Older Employees vs. Younger Employees

Ever thought you would one day be in a position where you would have the decision on your hands to make or break someone’s career? Well if you are, here is something that you might come across depending on the nature of your job. This article aims to analyze some of the main factors to consider while picking the right person for the job. At the very outset, I must make it clear that I am referring to older as in more experienced professionals and not just being ageist.

1. Workplace Issues and Solutions

There are a variety of workplace issues that both employers and employees encounter. Some of these issues are minor while other workplace issues are more significant and require frequent attention from employees for the workplace to function properly. While it is the responsibility of management to take steps to develop strategies to combat workplace issues, employees also have a responsibility to speak up when they recognize issues that contribute to or may eventually lead to problems.

This article was mostly contributed to and edited by J2DW volunteers!

The Pros and Cons of Hiring Older Employees vs. Younger Employees

Ever thought you would one day be in a position where you would have the decision on your hands to make or break someone’s career? Well if you are, here is something that you might come across depending on the nature of your job. This article aims to analyze some of the main factors to consider while picking the right person for the job. At the very outset, I must make it clear that I am referring to older as in more experienced professionals and not just being ageist.

What are the things one could consider? We have tried to lay down factors that could influence one’s decision below in a concise format. Hope it helps you come to a conclusion about your Sophie’s choice.

I have tried to first evaluate the pros of hiring older employees as opposed to younger employees before proceeding to the cons.

1) Experience – for certain jobs, job experience is a huge factor. Experienced employees bridge the gap from teaching from scratch to jumping right into the thick of things.

2) Less supervision – they definitely do not need as much supervision as a just out of college hire.

3) Fewer chances of mistakes – they have made their mistakes and hopefully learned from them.

4) Takes lead – having probably worked at other places before, they feel confident enough to take charge and lead the team.

5) Mentorship – older employees are able (and willing) to mentor younger, less-experienced employees.

6) Clients – older employees might just have a list of contacts and networking that will be useful in the growth of the firm.

7) Patience – apart from the odd temper tantrum, they display more patience to teach and to communicate with the team.

8) Loyalty – it comes with the package.

9) Punctuality – this is one of those old tradition school things but punctuality is common and important to their generation.

The pros of hiring younger employees as opposed to older employees can be listed as follows:

1) Adept at technology – younger employees have grown up in the lap of technology and are therefore much more proficient at it than the older generation.

2) More risk-taking – they just might be more open to the idea of risks (this might not necessarily go down well for the company but they at least had the courage to take that chance. Older employees are more cautious and less open to something and who knows, the risks might pay off).

3) Dynamic – I do know of 60-year-old CEO’s who have been nothing but dynamic all their lives and that is why they are at the top. But younger blood with more ideas, fresh out of college and enthusiastic might be just what is needed to revitalize the company.

4) Flexibility – older employees tend to have their own set of ideas and notions and cannot adapt easily to the changing mindset. Younger employees generally have a flexible attitude because they are more adept at changing (it’s a millennial thing maybe) and can pick up on such changes sooner (without grumbling).

5) Expectation of Salary – the older employees come with some experience and want to be compensated for the fact that their previous skill has saved some training of the employers and therefore they must be compensated for the same. Younger employees are more than happy that they are being paid as the job is a place where they start off and learn (they know that their salary is not going to be through the roof).

6) Physical attribute – though it sounds ageist, it is true that older employees do face certain physical drawbacks as compared to younger employees and the strenuous work can take a toll on their health.

Several more pros and cons could be listed. However, the important take away from this article is that at the end of the day, the circumstance, the company and the post being recruited for is what will ultimately decide as to who stays and who does not.

This article was written by volunteer blogger Riya Prem Raaj and edited by volunteer editor Shan Simpson.

10 Surprising Reasons to join a Volunteer Board

Whether be our own board, or another I serve on, I have come to realize there are lots of worthwhile non-profits in our community, and many of them need good, quality volunteers to join their boards of directors.

Perhaps you might consider joining such a board. Or you know something else who may be interested. Here I present 10 surprising reasons to join a volunteer board.

  1. Professional development – Serving on a board looks great on a resume. But if you want to serve on a paid corporate board in the future, it’s a great way to gain experience. Both paid and volunteer board operate in the same ways.
  2. Enhancing your own personal networks – It’s a chance to meet new people, and network with others you may not have met before.
  3. Knowledge & skills – You can develop new knowledge and skills from various tasks you take on, as well as from the shared experience of your fellow board members.
  4. Active role in decision-making – Show you can setp up and lead.
  5. To have fun – Volunteer boards provide various outlets for fun.
  6. Increase one’s profile in the community in order to advance political aspirations – When running for political office, it’s always beneficial to have volunteer experience to show off.
  7. Giving back to your community.
  8. Productive use of time – Volunteering is a great way to use downtime, and serving on a board that needs your experience.
  9. Raising of standards – Serving on a board will help you appreciate where the bar should be, instead of where it is.
  10. New friends – In addition to making new networking contacts, it’s also a great way to make new friends people!\

We are always looking for new board members, and invite you to apply!

What are the benefits?

What are the benefits of serving on a nonprofit board? 

Most individuals who already serve on a nonprofit board need no outside justification for being a board member; they know perfectly well what they are doing and why they want to continue doing it. However, there are others who are too shy to join a board or who need someone else to tell them why it makes sense. Here are some reasons why people join nonprofit boards: 

• They know their skills are needed. 

• A nonprofit is going to improve and will benefit from their contributions. 

• There is a possibility to effect change in an organization. 

• They will feel good by doing good. 

• They enjoy collaborating with interesting people who have the same interests and values. 

• They want to learn new skills. 

• They enjoy being recognized for their efforts. 

• They want to give back to the community. 

• They have found a new reason to live productively. 

• They want to have an impact. 

• It can be fun. 

(Source: BoardSource.org)

Consider joining our board today!