Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: Three migrant farm workers are suing the federal government and their former employer after allegedly being thrown out of the country without explanation.

Source: Globe and Mail

Date: 11/24/2011

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/migrant-workers-sue-ottawa-and-farm-for-breaching-contract-charter-rights/article2248184/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the workers’ claim.
  • What are some of the challenges this suit might face?
  • Summarize the worker/employer arrangement under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
  • Do you think the terms of this program are fair?
  • Why or why not?
  • Do you think non-Canadians should have rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
  • Why or why not?

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: Students are heading back to class after professors at Brandon University accepted a tentative agreement.

Source: Winnipeg Free Press

Date: 11/28/2011

Link: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bu-students-set-for-their-return-134579833.html

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Questions for discussion:

  • What did the Manitoba government do to try to end this strike?
  • What effect do you think that action had?
  • Do you think the fact that Manitoba has an NDP government made a difference in this case?
  • Why or why not?
  • Dr. Doorey asks, “Should we add professors to the growing list of workers who should not have a right to strike?” What do you think? Why?

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: After a 28-year battle, female clerical workers at Canada Post have won a $150-million pay equity award.

Source: The National Post

Date: 11/17/2011

Link: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/17/after-28-year-pay-equity-fight-female-postal-workers-awarded-150-million/

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Questions for discussion:

  • Whom does this decision affect?
  • The Canada Human Rights Act says men and women doing work of equal value should be paid equally. How would you define “work of equal value”?
  • Why do you think it took almost 30 years to resolve this case?
  • Why do you think the Supreme Court decided so quickly?
  • Since this case began, the pay equity laws have been changed. The National Post story says the changes “prevent public servants from turning to the courts to obtain settlements in pay-equity cases. Instead, they would require female workers to achieve wage parity with their male colleagues through collective bargaining.” What are the pros and cons of such an approach?

Posted by & filed under Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is boycotting the Ontario Federation of Labour convention.

Source: Canadian Labour Reporter

Date: 11/22/2011

Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview?articleid=11783&headline=unions-boycott-ontario-federation-of-labour-convention

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Questions for discussion:

  • What is the role of a provincial labour federation?
  • How do you think this boycott will affect the OFL’s ability to perform that role?
  • The OPSEU statement doesn’t say why they are boycotting the convention. Why do you think the union issued the statement?
  • Why do you think they worded the statement the way they did?

Posted by & filed under Communication, Entrepreneurship, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Social Responsibility.

Dani Reiss, CEO of Canada Goose was selected as “Ontario 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and  received a “Business-to-consumer products and services” award. National and Ontario director of Entrepreneur of the Year, Colleen McMorrow mentions that Entrepreneurs need to have a strong frame of mind, and they should be innovative and risk takers. The program selects winners based on vision, leadership, financial performance and social responsibility. Mr Reiss has topped in all the criteria.

Questions:

  1. Complete a SWOT analysis for Canada Goose. Explain its strengths and Opportunities that were favorable to Mr. Reiss’ success.
  2. Study its Marketing plan? What effect does social media has on the marketing of the brand?
  3. How does he cover the innovative and social responsibility aspect? How do you think this aspect affects its sales globally?

SOURCE: Associated Press, “Made in Canada brand embraced on global scale” Financial Post (Retrievable online http://business.financialpost.com/2011/11/15/made-in-canada-brand-embraced-on-global-scale/)

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Environment, Leadership, Management, Planning, Strategy.

Sony’s CEO, Sir Howard Stringer’s speech at Wall Street Journal event last week compared and contrasted Sony’s achievements and goals with its admired competitor, Steve Job’s “Apple”. While Sony focuses on multiple products, Apple focuses on a few items with its main emphasis on marketing of those products. Sony has seen a consistent loss in sales, lay-offs and problems with its suppliers. On the other hand, Apple has captured the world with its seamless technologies that are difficult to imitate.

Questions:

  1. Sony is going through loss in sales, business closures, lay-offs, cuts in operating profits, natural disasters in Japan and Thailand and much more. What would you suggest their marketing plan should emphasize on: marketing of the products they have or R & D and launching of new products?
  2. Compare and contrast the SWOT analysis of Sony and Apple?
  3. Explain the difference in marketing plans of Sony and Apple. Which one would you consider better and why?

 

SOURCE: James Rogers, “Why Sony’s CEO is still competing with Steve Jobs” The Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/why-sonys-ceo-is-still-competing-with-steve-jobs/article2233887/ )

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: The Speaker of the House of Commons has ruled that a private member’s bill that would have forced unions to disclose financial information was improperly introduced.

Source: Ottawa Citizen

Date: 11/05/2011

Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Commons+speaker+derails+bill+that+sought+more+financial+information/5661040/story.html

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Questions for discussion:

  • Why did the Speaker rule the bill out of order?
  • How could the bill be reintroduced?
  • What would be the political implications of that?
  • Why do you think the bill’s opponents attacked it on procedural grounds, rather than its content?
  • From what you have read, what do you think are the pros and cons of this proposed legislation?
  • Do you think it is required? Why or why not?

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: York University law prof David Doorey is posting what he calls the Bad Employer Sunshine List, saying Canadian employers often ignore employment standards law with impunity.

Source: Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog

Date: 11/08/2011

Link: http://www.yorku.ca/ddoorey/lawblog/?p=4172

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Questions for discussion:

  • What is the Bad Employer Sunshine List?
  • Why is Dr. Doorey posting this list on his blog?
  • What do you think of the idea?
  • What kind of workers are most affected by employment standards laws?
  • How many Ontario employers were convicted in August?
  • What was the usual penalty?

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Diversity, Human Resource Management.

The labor productivity of Canada (production per hour of work) is much lower than the other industrialized countries. It has increased an average of 0.5% since 2005 compared to an average of 2.1% in U.S. Unemployment rate among Canadians born in Canada is 7.5% compared to 15.8% for Immigrant population who is in Canada for less than five years. While a few professional associations have started considering foreign credentials, a lot more needs to be done since there are 440 Canadian regulatory bodies. Canadian hiring practices needs to be revamped, and immigrant education and experience needs to be considered, so that their hiring can lead to decrease in employment and subsequent increase in Canadian productivity.

Questions:

  1. How should Canada harness the immigrant talent?
  2. Do you think the increase in immigrant population in Canada is having a positive or negative impact to the Canadian economy?
  3. Canada’s major employment is in retail and services industry. Should more consideration be given to these industries when evaluating immigrant applications?

SOURCE: Rita Trichur, “Productivity woes aggravated by failure to hire new immigrants” The Globe and Mail online http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/growth/productivity-woes-aggravated-by-failure-to-hire-new-immigrants/article2220379/ )

Posted by & filed under Communication, Environment, Ethics, Social Responsibility.

The 2011Corporate Social responsibility report (CSR) of Wal-Mart Canada shows many positives. Reporting on the four categories of CSR—Environment, People, Ethical sourcing and Community, Wal-Mart posits that its policies has benefitted local Canadian businesses, encouraged organic baby food and discouraged child labour. However, the article suggests that these positives can also be drawbacks depending on how you look at it. For instance, is organic food really better than normal food?—such questions need to be clarified to get a true picture of CSR.

Questions:

  1. Mention some more actions that firms incorporate to show a sense of corporate social responsibility?
  2. Would you agree with the author’s controversial statements on the Wal-Mart CSR report? Justify your opinion with examples.
  3. There is a fine line between what is right and what is not with respect to justification of social and ethical issues. As a corporate leader which path would you follow for your firm?

SOURCE: Chris MacDonals, “Walmart, CSR reporting, and moral grey zones” Canadian Business (Retrievable online at http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/business_ethics/55179–walmart-csr-reporting-and-moral-grey-zones)