Head Forward

How the pandemic is impacting staff members and what can be done to address the stressors. Workplace Fairness West’s Michelle Phaneuf explains the importance of being open and willing to address issues as soon as possible.

The team behind an innovative wellness app, led by Scott Borys and Daren McLean, share how a personal mental health crisis inspired the creation of the self-guided digital program. They explain how Hugr Authentic Connections fosters social connectedness.

Howatt HR founder and author of the new book, The Cure for Loneliness, Dr. Bill Howatt explains his research-based approach to help build authentic connections and move away from isolation.    

Conceiving and welcoming a child into a family isn’t always easy and without challenges. Pregnancy Loss Coach, Aditi Loveridge shares the importance of not expecting time to ease pain, but to face the pain and work through it—to be able to live with loss. Pregnancy Loss Healing: pregnancylosshealing.com Facebook: facebook.com/pregnancylosshealing  Instagram: instagram.com/pregnancylosshealing      

Registered Family Mediator and Social Worker, Beth Thompson, helps people see all of their options well into their future, when exploring potential divorce. Hear how to effectively and humanely transition from marriage to separation.    

Saying no can feel daunting, especially at work. Hear from Globe & Mail columnist and workplace coach, Eileen Chadnick, as she shares how leaders and teams can benefit from learning the right time and way to say no.

Dips in mental health are not just part of getting older. The Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Denise Waligora explains how to best support seniors’ whole health.

Executive Coach Wendy Wilton shares how workplace leaders can make the time and space to strategically tackle their goals, and how that can benefit everyone in the organization. 

Cubic Health’s Mike Sullivan analyzes how employee benefits can help, where the plans fall short and how data can be used to tailor programs for maximum positive impact.

Helping staff cope in the workplace during a pandemic. Strategic HR consultant Dr. Bill Howatt shares how employees and managers can be prepared as they go back into the office.

Racism is real in the Canadian workplace. Employment lawyer, Ryan Watkins shares how it negatively impacts everyone on the job and how it can be counteracted.

Business as usual is impossible since COVID-19 emerged. Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO, Honourable Perrin Beatty, explains how adapting to our COVID-19 reality can actually spur innovation in the workplace.

COVID-19 is impacting intimate relationships. Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Michele Maurer, explains how to maintain well-balanced partnerships in these unprecedented times.

Stressful events including a pandemic can bring up feelings of previous traumatic events, compounding the distress we feel. Without interventions, trauma experienced in childhood undoubtedly carries forward into adulthood, explains Dr. Eboni Webb.

Learning how to deal with the challenging feelings the COVID-19 pandemic can cause. Psychologist Dr. Deanne Simms with the Canadian Mental Health Association explores how the pandemic is playing out on people’s mental health and how to ease the strain.

Employment Lawyer Ryan Watkins explores the implications for workplaces when it comes to illnesses like Coronavirus / COVID-19. He explains how to best plan ahead and help maintain workplace wellness for all.

Sleep and the lack of it impacts all aspects of daily life–personal and professional. Fatigue Risk Management expert Susan Sawatzky understands the true cost sleep debt can have on a person and their workplace productivity. She shares what can be done about it. 

From the importance of food on mental health to childhood trauma’s impact on brain development, our various guests have shared many valuable insights in 2019. We listen back to the top five takeaways from the year, to get you ready for 2020.

From the cleaning staff to CEO, anyone can be a leader at work. Leadership speaker and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Drew Dudley shares how to empower every member of an organization to lead by living their own personal values.

Creating a psychologically safe work environment is a challenge that takes leadership commitment and courage from everyone in the organization. When things don’t go as planned, workplace investigations can be a part of creating healthy and strong job sites. Bob Stenhouse shares how fostering courage in all staff benefits an organization’s well-being and bottom line.

Abuse and neglect can change how the brain develops early in life. Dr. Bruce Perry shares why traumatic experiences alter the biology of a child’s brain and how relationships can help with healing.

The established trust between work colleagues can be the best starting place when addressing mental health issues in the workplace. The Grande Prairie Suicide Prevention Centre’s Shane Anderson shares how best to get talking about mental health.  

Boundaries are not about shutting people out; they provide clarity and can help build trust. Marriage and family therapist, Kirsten Kachuk, explains how to understand and integrate healthy boundaries into everyday life and work.

Ensuring the workplace is safe from psychological hazards is vital for a healthy workplace. Alberta Bullying Research, Resources and Recovery Centre's Linda Crockett shares how to build a job environment free of bullying.

Habits can boost or hamper productivity. Chiropractor and wellness consultant, Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp shares tips on how to go from just being interested in altering your behaviour to truly committing and implementing new habits, detailed in her book Hack Your Health Habits. 

Workplaces can actually help those healing from an addiction. But the job site needs to be recovery-informed in order to benefit everyone, says Dr. Ray Baker. This addiction medicine specialist with more than 30 years in the field explains how and why. 

Looking after yourself is vital for personal and professional success. Counsellor Kathleen Gorman leads workshops on the significance of self care and shares tips and ideas on how to integrate it into your life and work today.  Connect with Kathleen Gorman via LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-gorman-8837364b/

Embracing and accommodating the news a baby is on the way for an employee — tap Strategy and HR Consulting's Terri Harrison talks about preparing the workplace for a new parent.      * part of our Healthy Business Bookmark series

Terminating an employee tactfully and compassionately is a skill. tap Strategy and HR Consulting’s Terri Harrison explores best practices for this challenging process. * part of our Healthy Business Bookmark series 

Skilled candidates from out-of-country can help address a business' people shortage. International Recruitment Specialist, Herman Van Reekum from Equation Staffing Solutions discusses this approach. *part of our Healthy Business Bookmark series

Adjusting for an employee's return after a leave requires care, attention and planning. tap Strategy and HR Consulting’s Terri Harrison discusses how to ensure successful integration back to work.*part of our Healthy Business Bookmark series 

Implementing HR policies helps protect everyone in the workplace. tap Strategy and HR Consulting’s Terri Harrison discusses how to take and maintain this proactive approach. *part of our Healthy Business Bookmark series

Eating for whole health can be lost when concentrating on weight loss or physical fitness. Dr. Bonnie Kaplan, a Professor Emerita at the Cumming School of Medicine (University of Calgary) explains the importance ofeatingfor mental health. 

Understanding and harnessing the benefits of failure, has helped Dr. Bill Howatt, Chief of Research at Conference Board of Canada, succeed professionally and personally. He shares how to factor failing into everyday life to find success.

Canada’s first female infantry officer, Sandra Perron, continues to use her military experience as she trains business leaders and employees to focus on Trauma Informed Care and support. She shares the way trauma affected her and how she mobilizes her PTSD to help others.

Providing support for survivors of sexual assault, isn't one size fits all. Monika Penner, a register provisional psychologist at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) shares how coworkers, friends and family can help, not hinder the process.

30% of Lyme Disease sufferers don't get the distinctive bullseye rash when they're infected. Voices of Canadians about Lyme Disease (VOCAL)'s Lesley Fleming outlines the challenges of getting a diagnosis and treatment, when the symptoms experienced only mirror that of the flu or other common ailments.

Cannabis will become legal across Canada in October 2018. Curious about the impacts this will have on the country’s youth, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Calgary, Dr. Jacqueline Smith led a study. She explains the findings and how they apply across the nation.

Veterinarian Dr. Lianna Titcombe explains the substantial process required by some to grieve the death of a beloved family member - the pet. She explains how to best support a bereaved pet owner at work and at home.

The loud talker, the over-sharer, the control freak – when do annoying habits become too much and management needs to intervene? Attorney Matthew Certosimo knows and shares – from his book, Just Cause: The Law of Summary Dismissal in Canada.

Retire to something, not from something - it's the new approach to transitioning away from working life, that The Retirement Education Centre's Av Lieberman discusses with his clients. He shares how to successfully prepare for this important next phase in life.

The mental impact of the workplace is at the core of Dr. Martin Shain's work. Although he's been championing safe workplaces throughout his career and contributed to the creation of the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety, he feels there's still more to do. He shares what Canadian workplaces have accomplished and what's left unfinished.

More than 500 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer each day — many of them are actively employed. Health research and strategy consultant, Chris Bonnett, provides insight on how employers and employees can prepare and adapt to better deal with this chronic disease.

Diabetes is a family disease. Managing it effectively works when the whole family is engaged in learning why this disease was not epidemic to our ancestors. Certified Diabetes Educator, Devon Guy shares how members of the Tsuut’ina Nation, SW of Calgary, AB.

Effective management of mental health issues and chronic conditions can bring benefits to the workplace. Judy Plotkin, a certified trauma counsellor and the Vice President of Strategy and Growth at ReedGroup Canada, explains how bridging the gap between the business world and social work uncovers the value of accommodating disabilities at work.

Many people don’t think or care about disability coverage until they need it. Insurance broker Dave Patriarche outlines how employees and employers can protect themselves.

Denis Garand knows medical coverage varies widely and wildly across the globe as he’s consulted and advised insurance regulators in more than 30 countries. He shares his understanding of the global landscape of health insurance and how Canada’s measures up. 

Public service is at the heart of everything Dr. Charles Jago does. From starting the Northern Medical Network to being president at University of Northern British Columbia, he’s kept community as his focus throughout. He shares how and why.

Everything is emotional - even on the job. Leadership development specialist, David Cory, explains why all issues organizations face stem from emotions and how to cultivate emotional intelligence (EQ) to address them. 

Feelings of loss can come up while you're working at your desk, in a staff meeting or during your commute. Hospice Yukon’s Anne Macaire shares how workplaces are impacted by grief and how mourning can be facilitated. 

Chronic conditions impact people both physically and mentally.  The majority of Canadians are affected by a chronic health condition, either personally or indirectly. With his focus on inflammatory arthritis, Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy helps his patients navigate life with long-term ailments. He shares how to manage while living (and working) with a serious condition.