New amendments to Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code require employers to develop a consolidated violence and harassment prevention policy. The changes simplify compliance, but failure to meet the new requirements by March 31 could lead to stop-work orders or fines of up to $10,000.
Rising suicides, overdoses, and burnout among women healthcare workers highlight a growing crisis. As the sector faces a projected shortfall of 10 million workers by 2030, addressing stress, underpayment, and toxic work environments is critical to sustaining healthcare systems.
An Ontario court ruled that a veterinarian who refused to return to work after demanding a termination letter for a former client had resigned from her position, not been wrongfully or constructively dismissed. The court found that the employer had taken reasonable steps to ensure workplace safety, which negated claims of an unsafe work environment.
New research confirms that alcohol is a known carcinogen, but the idea that red wine offers protective health benefits is increasingly being questioned. While some studies suggest wine drinkers may experience a lower risk of cancer mortality, experts emphasize that ethanol, regardless of the source, remains the key risk factor.
A new study from Tulane University suggests that morning coffee drinkers have a 16% lower risk of death and a 31% lower risk of heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. Researchers believe that consuming coffee later in the day may disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health reveals that young Canadian workers (aged 18 to 29) prioritize benefits and workplace policies over higher wages. The research highlights that factors such as extended health insurance, paid sick leave, and respectful workplace policies significantly influence job preferences among younger workers.
An analysis of 116 clinical trials found that every 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week can help reduce body weight, waist circumference, and body fat in overweight adults. The greatest improvements in body fat percentage occurred at 150 minutes per week, while weight loss increased linearly up to 300 minutes.
Prolonged standing at work can lead to chronic pain, fatigue, and serious health risks, yet many employees struggle to access seating during their shifts. As the “right to sit” movement gains momentum, workers and unions are pushing for better ergonomic accommodations to protect their well-being.
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine reveals that prenatal exposure to THC can alter fetal brain development and increase the risk of opioid addiction later in life.
A recent Alberta Court of Appeal ruling reinforces that an employer’s duty to inquire about mental health concerns is highly fact-specific. The case examined whether workplace stress and burnout should have triggered the employer’s responsibility to investigate and accommodate mental health disabilities.