Sarah Dobson

1 week ago | hrreporter.com | Sarah Dobson

Employers across Canada are adjusting to new realities when it comes to handling sick leave — and, particularly, the documentation required to justify the absence. Recent legislative changes in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario place restrictions on when, and whether, a doctor’s note can be demanded for short-term absences. These updates aim to reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and clarify workers’ rights around short-term sick leave.

1 week ago | hrreporter.com | Sarah Dobson

With a resume stretching back more than 25 years that includes some of the biggest names in Canada — Bell, TD and Rogers — Nancy Nazer is a well-known name when it comes to HR in the country. And her five years as CHRO at OMERS have only solidified that leadership, in leading a global team of more than 3,000. “I’m really excited to be in HR,” she says — despite a colleague in the early days who suggested the job mostly involved hiring and firing.

1 week ago | hrreporter.com | Sarah Dobson

For Gibson Energy, the decision to introduce fertility benefits was about leading with purpose, according to Riccardo Silvestro. In 2021, the Calgary-based company started offering employees up to $30,000 for adoption, surrogacy or fertility treatments, with an additional $5,000 earmarked for fertility medications. It’s a deliberate move to reflect changing family structures and support employees where they need it most, says the director of HR.

2 weeks ago | hrreporter.com | Sarah Dobson

New director of mental health at EllisDon looking to enhance psychological health and safety in construction By Apr 30, 2025 Three months into her new role, Connie Ellis is still catching her breath: “It’s a lot of drinking from a fire hose, it’s a lot of understanding the culture… [and] integrating myself.

2 weeks ago | hrreporter.com | Sarah Dobson

Three months into her new role, Connie Ellis is still catching her breath: “It’s a lot of drinking from a fire hose, it’s a lot of understanding the culture… [and] integrating myself. So, it’s been a lot — but fun.” As EllisDon’s inaugural director of mental health, she’s navigating a steep learning curve in an industry she never expected to join — but one that’s familiar all the same. “I come from a family of what I'm learning they call the ‘guys on the tools,’” Ellis says.