Tapping into under-utilized talent pools, like new graduates, women and newcomers, to tackle skills shortages within biotech is a widely discussed subject. As soon as you add persons with disabilities to the mix of under-utilized talent pools, everyone walks on eggshells. All of a sudden, the little we know becomes apparent and often uncomfortable. During…
Meet Yvonne Felix: she is a working professional, a mother of two, a public and community artist, and an avid traveler and golfer. With her job, Yvonne travels across the continent to lead meetings, and commutes daily from her home in Hamilton, Ontario, to her office in Toronto’s downtown core. Yvonne Felix successfully juggles all…
I recently heard a surprising notion that has implications for all employers: less than 50% of employees report being fully present in the workforce on any given day. There are any number of reasons for this: they may not feel engaged, nor have a sense of connection to their employer or workplace. They or a…
Good performance management systems assist supervisors and employees in establishing performance goals, sharing information on a regular basis and discussing learning and development requirements for continuous improvement. The main objectives of any system should be to: create a high-performance organization establish a clear link between organizational and individual objectives encourage ongoing communication through regular feedback…
There are times when offering constructive feedback is essential to maintaining quality performance on the job. It is easy to praise a job well done. However, supervisors generally dread having to deliver negative news or criticize employees’ performance. Here are a few tips on how to make the best out of a difficult situation and…
People are the driving force in the research, product development and manufacturing efforts of a thriving bio-economy. As such, companies need to ensure that new hires are introduced to the organization in a way that is welcoming and informative. Effective orientation provides new hires with the tools they need to find success in the work…
Contrary to popular belief, the employment standard in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) does not compel organizations to hire people with disabilities. The real question is: Why wouldn’t employers hire them anyway? A recent study shows 20 per cent of employees with a disability require no accommodation at all, and the…
The year 2017 marks a major milestone for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and many businesses and non-profits across the province are taking notice to ensure they comply. AODA’s accessible employment requirements took effect on Jan. 1, 2016 for companies with 50 or more employees. All remaining companies from 1-49 employees will…
A mission statement guides companies in working with clients, partners, etc. It helps the management team and employees focus on a common goal, and provide a benchmark against which to gauge performance. The mission statement articulates the organization’s vision and values; it can be an effective tool for leadership, public relations, and decision making. It…
Meet Vanessa Grant. Helping biotech firms realize their business objectives through practical legal advice. Legal life-sciences experts provide cross-disciplinary insight and practical legal advice, so biotech companies can focus on their core business of developing technology that is changing lives for the better. Name: Vanessa Grant Title: Partner Organization: Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Expertise: 18…