On September 8, 2016, Bill 132, also known as the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2016, came into force.

Bill 132 amends the workplace harassment provisions of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (the "OHSA").

Learn what employers should do to ensure they are ready for Bill 132 >

Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti Seminar 
Hearing Preparation for Front Line Managers

Join our partner, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti for a complimentary training seminar geared toward front line supervisors, managers & Human Resource practitioners.

From first response to investigation, issuing discipline & testifying at a hearing - this seminar will provide practical advice to an organization's front line management team. The goal is to provide individuals with skills necessary to properly respond to a complaint and/or incident.

The session will take place in the Toronto office (333 Bay St., Suite 2500) - Breakfast will be served.  If you are unable to attend in person, you can also view the seminar online through Webex.
Date: Thursday November 3, 2016
Time: 7:30am - Breakfast; 8:00 - 9:30am  - Presentation
RSVP by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21st 
The Nasty Insurance Renewaltwo
 
More often the source of a nasty renewal is increasing health and dental claims.
Recently, we took on a client who was going through their first renewal, 15 months after having established their first plan. The rate increase required by the insurance carrier was over 50%. It was a rich plan with 100% of claims costs paid and a multitude of benefits including orthodontic coverage. The employees and their families used the plan as it was intended and costs escalated accordingly. Their former broker had not explained how plans were funded and they thought they had been duped. They came to us seeking the same plan design but for less money. That, however, was just not going to be possible.

The Value of Employee Training and Development to Your Organizationthree
Providing effective training and competency development for your employees results in many benefits to your organization.
Why should your organization provide training for its employees?

Staying relevant and competitive is the key to maintaining an effective presence in the marketplace. Providing the opportunity to your employees to advance their competence and keeping them motivated and current with trends and new technologies is fundamental to achieving this outcome.

Multiple research studies, old and new, indicate the significant increase in labour productivity resulting from targeted training.

Providing effective training and competency development for your employees results in many benefits to your organization.

pillarsPillars of the Community
Daily Bread Food Bank

Every day thousands of Torontonians rely on food banks and meal programs to feed themselves and their families. Access to food is a basic human right, not a privilege. No one should go hungry, and Daily Bread Food Bank believes that no one should face barriers in accessing food.

Daily Bread is a registered charity that is fighting hunger in communities across Toronto. Daily Bread is a distribution hub that provides food and support to almost 200 food programs across Toronto and is the largest provider of food relief in the GTA.

Daily Bread is also a leader in research: the annual Who's Hungry Report is relied upon by journalists, charitable foundations and policymakers to give an accurate picture of the issues that contribute to hunger and poverty, using information gathered from more than 1,000 food bank client surveys.

If you would like to be recognized in this section of our newsletter or website, please forward a short article to admin@associum.com. Your content can include an introduction to your organization to help generate awareness; it can give a history; highlight your mandate; or even give details of an event. It's your space. We would love to help promote your organization and its initiatives!
pharmacyAsk the Pharmacist: Flu Vaccines
Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

Influenza or the flu is a serious acute condition that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Since 2011, 25,329 hospitalizations and 1611 patient deaths were reported in Canada.

The annual flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances of getting the flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

eventsUpcoming Events
ASSOCIUM has a Calendar of Events, and we offer exclusive use to our ASSOCIUM GAIN members!

We welcome and encourage you to send us your event information so that we can post it for you - complimentary for ASSOCIUM GAIN members. Let us help you get the word out to the public about the initiatives you'd like them to know about! We can add a link to your website for more information about your event and your organization. This is ideal for upcoming galas, festivals, performances - any event you want to invite the public to.
dykDid you know? 
Team building and employee engagement are important HR strategies to increase productivity.
 
According to an international study of 2,300 workers, 75% of those with a work best friend feel that they're able to take on anything, compared to 58% of those without a work best friend.
ASSOCIUM Divisionsdivisions
For over 30 years, ASSOCIUM Consultants continues to lead the industry in specialized human resource services and organizational development.

ASSOCIUM Benefits 

Our employee group benefits division, being in business since 1997, gives us the experience to provide customized alternative plans and reduce administrative costs for our clients, while quoting sustainable rates at start up - and at renewal.  

Our procurement services division launched in 1996 as an added source of assistance to the not-for-profit sector ( GAIN). Recently this service has been expanded to include private small business under the Advantage banner. Our goal is to help your organization access preferred pricing for products and services as well as resolve any purchasing issues you may encounter.
Supporting the success of Canadian organizations since 1984.