"According to a recent survey by Randstad, Canadians list work atmosphere as the most important factor influencing their choice of employer".WORK ATMOSPHERE….is the very first choice of over 60% of our Canadian workers. This is what was revealed in a recent survey by the ICMA International firm and Ranstad Canada. Therefore, employees favour a pleasant atmosphere even over salary. However, job security and family-work reconciliation are not far behind. A pleasant work atmosphere is a stimulating source of motivation for employees. Being happy at work contributes to both professional and personal development."Highlights": men versus women do they have the same expectations?
News
Telecommuting for Increased Efficiency?
17/02/2012
More and more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute. A survey by Getronics (the world leader on the technological services and solutions market) reveals that this way of working is profitable. Indeed, employees increase their productivity by about half a day a week. … "As for Montrealers, they devote approximately 76 minutes per day to it according to the Conference Board".However, not all companies can offer this option to their employees. Indeed, telecommuting requires namely a supervisory framework consistent with employer expectations and also certain prerequisites that can't be provided by all companies: Internet and e-mail access, and remote access to voice mail.
Smart Phones....An Obsession?
17/02/2012
Smart Phones....An Obsession?Do you sometimes hear your cell ringing/vibrating without reason? Is your imagination playing tricks on you? According to a study by the British Psychological Society, it's proven that smart phone users are much more stressed than others. Indeed, they feel pressure to answer their messages more quickly and more regularly than people who don't have access other than via their computer. These workers are "obsessed" with this from morning to night. Is this really a good way to manage your stress and your work?
Fake Smiling? A Mask of Cheerfulness?...and What About Health?
06/02/2012
Are we allowed to be ourselves even at work...? Is it bad for our health to hide our emotions? An American study published in the "’Academy of Management Journal" states that forcing oneself to smile without feeling like it is bad for both health and productivity. Individuals who don't respect their mood of the moment and deny their emotions are more prone to develop sleeping disorders, backaches, etc. Occasionally, one must be able to release one's negative emotions and take breaks to recharge one's batteries! In the case of customer service companies, where role-playing is essential, breaks must be encouraged to maintain a much-sought after balance.
Health Stations and Circuits: A Innovation by Take Care of Your Health! Providing Even More Tools for Participants
19/01/2012
Once employees have become aware of the impact of their lifestyle habits and are motivated to take action, there is one final hurdle to cross: equip them to change their habits and maintain them over time.
The Take Care of Your Health! Health Stations and Circuits target this last phase. Thematic, leisure activities based on experimentation, of a duration of 10-15 minutes per Station, these new interventions are planned such as to provide quality exchanges with the health professionals spearheading them.
Offering themes such as nutrition, physical activity, heart health, motivation, initial user testimonials were eloquent:
"We were more than satisfied (…), we've received only positive comments on the part of our employees," - Madeleine Martin, Advisor, Human Resources, Old Port of Montreal.
"All the comments received were positive, participants from the CSMB prefer this station formula, where they're active and can express themselves more. Simply holding conferences in the evening is an obstacle to the participation of a greater number of employees. But this new formula keeps participation rates steady," - Josée Intranet, Personnel Management Advisor, Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys.
"Stressed? I'm Regaining Control!" A New Workshop that's Unmistakably Practical
06/12/2011
A high level of stress leads to high risk of depression, therefore of absenteeism and presenteeism. Psychological problems are expensive : $11 513 /employee/year1. To act preventively, specialists of Take Care of Your Health decided to develop practical workshops aimed at one objective: to allow participants to concretely increase their individual stress management capacity. Offered as a premiere to ACTI-MENU employees in June 2011 (without a doubt our most picky jury), the first of the two workshops was widely acclaimed! The second workshop shall be unveiled next October 28.1 Costs linked to depression, anxiety and mental health problems including absenteeism and presenteesim, ACTI-MENU literature review, in collaboration with Analysis Group, 2011.
