In this session, originally recorded on September 28, 2021, we asked Neena Gupta, a partner at Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, to present her five good ideas about creating a successful hybrid workplace. COVID-19 forced employers and employees to adapt to a virtual workplace. More than one and a half years into the pandemic, many employees don’t want to go back to the old ways of working, and employers are looking to find ways to create a hybrid workplace where their staff can work in the office as well as from home. Neena Gupta presents five good ideas about some of the legal, compliance, and HR issues you need to consider to make your hybrid workplace a true success. Download Neena’s presentation The podcast and transcript are provided for general information purposes only and are not legal advice. You should consult your own lawyer about your specific needs and requirements. © Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP. Five Good Ideas 1. Survey your people 2. Review your physical workspace 3. Review your employee’s remote workspace 4. Decide on your vaccination policy 5. Draft your remote workplace policy Bonus ideas 6. Re-SURVEY the workplace 7. Invest in mental health 8. Reconsider pay Resources Examples of surveys WorkTango SurveyMonkey SnapSurveys Sue Bingham, “To Make Hybrid Work, Solicit Employees’ Input,” Harvard Business Review (July 29, 2021) Public Health Ontario, “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Buildings and COVID-19” Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, “Telework / Remote Work / Working From Home,” (fact sheet) City of Toronto news release, “Toronto Medical Officer of Health strongly recommending Toronto employers institute COVID-19 vaccination policy and support workplace vaccination” KPMG, “Work from home… work from office… or both? – A Hybrid Workplace guide to successfully build and manage a flexible future of work” Communitech, “Get back to work[space]!” Government of Ontario resource Government of Canada resources Gowling WLG COVID-19 Insights 

Five Good Ideas Podcast

Five Good Ideas about creating a successful hybrid workplace

In this session, originally recorded on June 15, 2021, we asked Jeff Szeto, Chief Financial Officer at Avana Capital Corporation and Maytree, to speak about his five good ideas to enhance your finance toolkit. For anyone working in a for-profit, non-profit, or charitable organization, it is critically important to have a robust finance and accounting team that can help them understand and leverage the financial aspects of their organization. This will help minimize risk but also support them – and their organization – in navigating and planning for the future. Using a practical and illustrative approach, and based on his experience in both non-profit and for-profit sectors, Jeff speaks on five good ideas to have in your finance toolkit that can help you build and maintain a strong financial foundation. Five Good Ideas 1. Assess and improve operational efficiency2. Implement appropriate risk management3. Ensure you have business intelligence tools4. Be thoughtful about resource planning5. Integrate finance into the enterprise Resources CPA Canada: Business and accounting resources – topical whitepapers on topics impacting finance and accounting professionals Deloitte Insights – whitepapers covering a range of highly current topics ranging from strategy, operations, technology to accounting, etc. WHO: Solve your #1 Problem – a guide to formulaic guide to hiring by Geoff Smart and Randy Street Gartner.com – the latest trending finance topics backed by experts and peers Mckinsey Special Collection: The Role of the CFO – a good article on the role of a CFO For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-build-your-finance-toolkit/ About Jeff Szeto Jeff has over 15 years of extensive experience in leading, managing, and growing finance functions in high-growth entrepreneurial businesses. His background has seen him working in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance for top-tier financial institutions, as well as serving as CFO of rapidly growing private companies. This diverse experience gives him the vision and leadership to scale high performing finance teams. In addition to his operating roles, he leads the direct investing group at ACS Ventures and plays an advisory role to many entrepreneurial ventures. He also serves as the CFO of Maytree, is currently the audit Chair of the TaddleCreek Family Health Team, and most recently was the previous CFO of Canada Learning Code, a high growth charity that is playing an instrumental role in designing, promoting, and delivering technology education across Canada.

Five Good Ideas to enhance your finance toolkit

In this session, originally recorded on March 25, 2021, we asked Lesa Francis, Avvy Go, Samya Hasan and Shalini Konanur to share five good ideas for racial justice change-making. How do we best address growing colour-coded inequality – for Indigenous peoples and peoples of colour, including Black Canadians? What are the institutional, structural, and systemic impacts of racism, faithism, and related inequality in education, housing, justice, health, and employment? How can individuals, groups, and organizations engage in effective trust-building, ally-ship, partnership development, and advocacy – to build on our successes, maintain hard-won gains, and bring about needed change? By highlighting examples of the real economic, health, and social impacts of racism and faithism, Lesa Francis, Avvy Go, Samya Hasan, and Shalini Konanur break down five good ideas for better “walking the talk” on racial equity and delivering more effectively on racial justice in Ontario. This Five Good Ideas session was organized in partnership with Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change. Five Good Ideas Collect disaggregated race-based (and other socio-demographic) data. Incorporate a racial equity and racial justice lens in the development and evaluation of policies, budgets, programs, practices, and cultures – both internally and externally. Adopt an intersectional approach to your anti-racism and racial equity and racial justice work and apply it in the hiring and promotion of staff, as well as in the recruitment of board members. Build effective ally-ship among and across peoples of colour, Indigenous Peoples, and others, as it is critical in the promotion of racial equity and racial justice in all of our partnership building and advocacy, within and across organizations, communities, and society. Lobby governments for systems level changes that promote racial equity and racial justice, and build internal organizational capacity to actively advocate for and support such change-making efforts. Resources Colour of Poverty Fact Sheets (2019) Count Me In – Collecting Human Rights Based Data (OHRC)  COP-COC Disaggregated Data Collection Survey Tool-Template Measuring Health Equity – Demographic Data Collection in Health Care Employment Equity 101 (COP-COC) For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-for-racial-justice-change-making/ About the presenters Lesa FrancisAt the date of the Five Good Ideas session (March 25, 2021), Lesa Francis was the Interim Executive Director at the Black Legal Action Centre, a specialty legal aid clinic in Ontario that works to develop access to justice and combat individual and systemic anti-Black racism. Avvy GoAt the date of the Five Good Ideas session (March 25, 2021), Avvy Go was the Clinic Director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic and a founding steering committee member o

Five Good Ideas for racial justice change-making

In this session, originally recorded on April 22, 2021, we asked Marina Glogovac, President & CEO of CanadaHelps, to share five good ideas for demystifying digital transformation. With a career spanning nearly three decades in technology and media (including working in the magazine industry during the shift to the internet), Marina knows the challenges that come from forced disruptions. She helps listeners understand what digital transformation actually means, and how to think about and approach this seemingly overwhelming task. Five Good Ideas Digital transformation is not about technology. You need the right technology, and integration is important. You need a clearly defined vision and to address four areas: Internal productivity, donor and customer process, culture and roles, and new service and revenue models. Change must be resourced. Go digital or go dark. A sense of urgency and ongoing commitment to digital transformation is critical for future survival and success. Resources: CanadaHelps’ Whitepapers on Digital Fundraising. CanadaHelps’ Webinars on Digital Fundraising. “Unlocking success in digital transformations.” McKinsey & Company. The Giving Report 2021: Faster Growth in Online Giving Crucial During Times of Crisis. CanadaHelps. The Technology Fallacy. How People Are the Real Key to Digital Transformation. By Gerald C. Kane, Anh Nguyen Phillips, Jonathan R. Copulsky and Garth R. Andrus. For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/demystifying-digital-transformation/ About Marina Glogovac Marina Glogovac is President & CEO of CanadaHelps, a leader in providing fundraising and donation technology to charities and donors since 2000. She is passionate about charities and their essential role in Canada, and about building the capacity of the charitable sector through cutting-edge technology and high-quality education. Under her leadership since 2013, CanadaHelps has rapidly accelerated its growth trajectory, almost tripling the donations it facilitates for charities and dramatically expanding its offerings for both charities and donors.   Marina is an in-demand public speaker and panelist on the topics of digital transformation, social impact, innovation and disruption, and democratization of access to technology in the charitable sector. Marina regularly shares her perspective as a blogger for Huffington Post Canada, and is a past columnist for the Globe and Mail’s Leadership Lab.  Prior to joining CanadaHelps, Marina had a 25-year career in leading e-commerce, technology, and media companies, including as Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Revenue Officer at Lavalife Corp., Chief Marketing Officer at Kobo Inc., Chief Revenue Officer at Dealfind, and Group Publisher for St. Joseph’s Media, including their flag

Five Good Ideas for demystifying digital transformation

In this session, originally recorded on February 25, 2021, we asked Royson James to share five good ideas about cultivating lasting relationships with media and journalists. How do you adopt a media mind and make it yours? At some point you may have gotten burned by media or just ignored. Since disengagement isn’t an option, how do you move on and germinate, nurture, and sustain lasting relationships? In this Five Good Ideas session, Royson James, the Toronto Star’s urban affairs columnist and former City Hall bureau chief, de-mystifies the media and talks about how journalists think so you know when, where, and how to engage them intelligently. Five Good Ideas Everybody gets screwed by the media. Knowing this prepares you for when your turn comes. “Fractured Journo World” is an opportunity masquerading as an obstacle. One hand washes the other – symbiosis sustains the system. Know your allies. They often stick out. Be the media junkie and benefit your organization. Related resource: Columbia Journalism Review: The voice of journalism since 1961. Gives critical analysis on the state of journalism. The Poynter Institute teaches, inspires, challenges, and creates a journalism idealism that builds confidence that someone is preoccupied with truth, context, and great witting. The Toronto Star: Your best media ally and friend in the GTA and in Ontario; most likely to be in synch with your goals for a healthy, caring, and equitable civil society. MediaSmarts: Canada’s centre for digital media literacy. The New Media Epidemic: The Undermining of Society, Family, and Our Own Soul by Jean-Claude Larchet. Podcast review of a book you may wish to read. For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/cultivating-relationships-with-media/ About Royson James Royson James is the Toronto Star’s urban affairs columnist and former City Hall bureau chief, recognized throughout the region for his dogged reporting on the region’s governments, and on social justice. He’s a native of Jamaica who immigrated to Canada in 1969, attended Harbord Collegiate in downtown Toronto and had his journalistic training at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. In 2004 he was named an honored alumnus of Andrews University. Royson is an active member of the Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church. He has directed the pathfinder club for kids 10 to 16. He also writes and produces an annual Easter Musical and dramatic presentations. The pathfinders, like Scouts but co-ed, plant an annual community garden and engage in community work. In 2013 he received Canada’s premier award for African Canadians – the Harry Jerome Award for media. In 2014 he was a finalist in the National Newspaper Award for columnist of a Canadian newspaper. Royson is married with four children.

Five Good Ideas about cultivating lasting relationships with media and journalists

In this session, originally recorded on January 26, 2021, we asked Kristen Pennington to share five good ideas about workplace harassment. Workplace harassment complaints can cause significant organizational unrest, loss of reputation and damage to employee morale, in addition to considerable legal liability. In this session, Kristen Pennington, Partner, Employment and Privacy Law at McMillan LLP, discusses meaningful ways an organization can prevent workplace harassment to avoid such complaints, as well as minimize disruption in the event a workplace harassment complaint is received. Topics include how to develop and implement effective workplace harassment policies and procedures, and how to prepare to make key decisions if a complaint is made. Legal disclaimer This podcast is provided for general information purposes only. It is neither intended as, nor should be considered, legal advice. Readers, viewers, and listeners are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, a qualified lawyer should be consulted. © McMillan LLP 2021. Five Good Ideas Make your workplace harassment policy a living document Implement ongoing and dynamic training Remove barriers to making complaints Assemble your investigation team Demonstrate leadership buy-in Related resource: McMillan Lawcasts – Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace: Best Practices for Corporate Counsel and HR Specialists (note: free registration required) McMillan Employment and Labour Bulletin – Inadequate Workplace Harassment Investigation Results in $75,000 Damage Award McMillan Employment and Labour Bulletin – Sorry Not Sorry: Ontario Decision Highlights “Aggravating Factors” in Sexual Harassment Cases Statistics Canada – Harassment in Canadian Workplaces Resources For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-about-workplace-harassment/ About Kristen Pennington Kristen Pennington is a Partner at McMillan LLP, a full-service law firm with offices nationwide, where she practices both employment and privacy law. Experienced in all areas of employment law, Kristen advises employers on hiring and dismissals, employment contracts, performance management and discipline, employment policies, and human rights laws. With an active litigation practice, Kristen has appeared before courts and tribunals at all levels in Ontario, as well as at various arbitrations and mediations. An area of particular expertise for Kristen is assisting employers in developing and implementing effective workplace discrimination, violence, and harassment policies and programs, and managing workplace complaints. She also provides training on workplace investigations, employee accommodation, management of conflict in the workplace, and the handling of employees’ personal information.  

Five Good Ideas about workplace harassment

In this session, originally recorded on December 3, 2020, we asked Mary W. Rowe to share her five good ideas for the non-profit sector to build a city, now and in the wake of a global pandemic. Mary is President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. She is no stranger to how cities recover from disasters, having worked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and New York City during and following Hurricane Sandy. For several years Mary worked closely with Maytree Chair Alan Broadbent on Ideas that Matter, a convening and publishing program focused on the core areas of Jane Jacobs’ work: cities, economies, and values. Her work continues to be focused on how cities enable self-organization, cultivate innovation, and build social, economic, environmental, and cultural resilience. This Five Good Ideas session was organized in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute. Five Good Ideas Everything important really does start, and is, local Now’s the time to start sleeping with your enemies Lead with improvisation, experimentation, and risk-taking Do not assume, do not wait: Say goodbye to “Big Daddy” Watch, share, talk, act Related resource: The Third Pillar by Raghuram Rajan | read a review “Rolling up our sleeves” (conference keynote by Mary Rowe) – “Granular Resilience: Paying Attention to the Local” (article by Mary Rowe) “New Orleans speaks: We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” (video) CUI websites: www.citywatchcanada.ca, www.citysharecanada.ca, www.citytalkcanada.ca and www.bringbackmainstreet.ca For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-to-build-a-city/ About Mary W. Rowe Mary W. Rowe is President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. An impassioned civic leader with diverse experience in the business, government, not-for-profit and philanthropy sectors in Canada and the United States for over 30 years, Mary has been a steady advocate and champion for place-based approaches to building livable and resilient cities, and community-driven local economies. She has led campaigns, organizations, initiatives, and companies spanning a few months to several years. Mary was deeply engaged in the self-organizing initiatives that emerged in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, providing support to two dozen initiatives that focused on various forms of resilience. She also supported, in her role at MAS NYC, community engagement efforts during the recovery from Superstorm Sandy, and Rebuild

Five Good Ideas to build a city

In this session, originally recorded on October 28, 2020, we asked Nora Beatty and Alex Mazer to share five good ideas for building financial health through the workplace. With over 40% of Canadians living paycheque to paycheque, more employers are asking what they can do to increase the financial health of their staff. Alex Mazer and Nora Beatty of workplace retirement plan provider Common Wealth share their five good ideas to help you build financial security in the short and longer term. As an employer, you will come away with ideas you can take to reduce financial stress for your employees; as an individual, you will learn ways to make your hard-earned savings go further. Five Good Ideas Make the business case for employee financial health (HINT: it’s not just “nice to do”) Take advantage of Tax-Free Savings Accounts Keep fees low Provide education on accessing government benefits Make savings automatic Related resource: Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, Common Wealth and the National Institute on Ageing, “The Value of a Good Pension: How to improve the efficiency of retirement savings in Canada” (2018) (learn about the surprisingly large financial value of a good workplace retirement plan – and what makes a plan “good”) John Stapleton, Open Policy Ontario, “Toolkit: Low Income Retirement Planning” (2020) (learn about the importance of the Tax-Free Savings Account, and other strategies to maximize income in retirement for modest earners) Larry Bates, “T-Rex” fee calculator (see how much of your returns are being eaten up by high fees) Prosper Canada, Financial Relief Navigator (find out what government benefits you might be eligible for) Ontario Securities Commission (access financial education tools and resources approved by one of Canada’s most prominent financial regulators) For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-for-building-financial-health-through-the-workplace/ About Nora Beatty and Alex Mazer Nora Beatty is the Director of People Operations at Common Wealth. She is passionate about people and connecting innovative people strategies to better business outcomes. Nora’s journey in HR started at Oracle, and since then she has had the opportunity to join some of the most exciting tech companies and start-ups in the city. Before joining Common Wealth, Nora built out and led the People function at Hubdoc, and supported the deal team during the acquisition by Xero. Post-acquisition, Nora took on a broader operations role, supporting some of the GTM initiatives, while also leading the People function. Alex Mazer is a Founding Partner of Common Wealth, a mission-driven business that works with associations, unions, and groups of employers to provide value-for-money, collective retirement plans that combine user-friendly technology, digital retirement planning, low-cost investments, guaranteed lifetime income, and a fiduciary duty to members. The company’s focus is on constituencies

Five Good Ideas for building financial health through the workplace

The Five Good Ideas podcast rebroadcasts some of the best sessions of Maytree’s popular lunch-and-learn program. For each session of Five Good Ideas, an expert from the non-profit or corporate sector shares five practical ideas on a key management issue facing non-profit organizations today. You find sessions from the past season at https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/.