Power of influence | Breastfeeding-work balance

Every week, The Press presents advice, anecdotes and reflections for leaders, entrepreneurs and managers.

The expression

Many had the impression that the issue of breastfeeding in the workplace had been resolved a long time ago. Particularly since the former federal minister Karina Gould, now leader of the Liberal government in the House of Commons, breastfed her son under the eye of the cameras during question period in… 2018. The Ontario MP is also on parental leave, because she gave birth to a girl in January 2024. According to the Mouvement lactation du Québec (MAQ), work-breastfeeding balance is not the same everywhere. A manager of a Quebec hospital is currently refusing to accommodate an employee who wants to breastfeed her baby, denounces the MAQ. “In Quebec Labor Standards, there is no clause to facilitate the reconciliation of breastfeeding and work,” recalls the MAQ, which emphasizes that breastfeeding is nevertheless protected by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

Source: Breastfeeding Movement of Quebec

The thing

To defuse a conflict, go get a coffee

When you’re in the middle of conflict, it’s common to go into fight-or-flight mode, says workplace conflict expert Amy Gallo, in a podcast from Harvard Business Review. But simple techniques can reverse the situation. First of all, the expert suggests keeping this negative emotion away by naming it. Is it frustration, sadness, anger or disappointment? What you do with your body is important, she says. If you sit still, stressful feelings can build up. Get up and go get some coffee. Moving will activate the left side of your brain associated with logical reasoning, which will help you process your emotions. “You can say: I’m sorry to interrupt you. I would like to have a cup of coffee before continuing. Can I get you something while I’m up? “, she suggests. This quick break can restart the conversation in a more positive way. Taking a break is not an option? Make small gestures like tapping each finger with your thumb or planting your feet firmly on the floor.

Listen to Amy Gallo’s podcast

Source : Harvard Business Review

The trend

“Quit-tok” and other buzzwords

The next time you are going to fire an employee, choose the right words in case this employee has the idea to record the event and post it on social media. “Quit-tok”, quitting your job on TikTok, has caused a lot of buzz lately, reports the World Economic Forum (WEF). To prepare yourself well for the questions from the employees you are going to lay off, here are the ones that often come up: why am I being fired? Did I do my job poorly? Am I being fired because you miscalculated and hired too many people at once? The WEF lists 11 buzzwords associated, in particular, with hybrid work. In addition to the great resignation, the silent resignation and the great regret, the WEF notes this new position created especially for the new realities of the world of work: the remote director. This manager must ensure the proper functioning of employees who work, as the name of the position indicates, remotely.

Read the WEF text on the subject

Source: World Economic Forum

THE figure

16%

This is the small proportion of SMEs that plan to hire over the next three or four months, when usually this is the time of year when they launch their hiring process for the summer season. Some 11% of them even plan to reduce their workforce. According to the latest Business Barometer from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the 12-month SME confidence index fell 5.4 points to 47.5. This is the second consecutive monthly decline. The most marked declines in the confidence index are in Ontario (-6.7; 49.2) and Saskatchewan (-7.0; 47.6). SME confidence is measured monthly by CFIB, which has 97,000 members across all industries and regions. Demand shortfall has also been on the rise since the second quarter of 2023. It reached a peak since the pandemic and affects half of SMEs.

Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business

The study

Do you feel less productive? Do you have sleeping problems? Are you putting off your next physical activity session indefinitely? You are then like many Canadians, according to the latest report from Dialogue Technologies de la Santé, a virtual platform for health care and well-being in Canada. THE Well-being report: a reference for the health of the Canadian population is based on the World Health Organization’s WHO-5 Well-being Index questionnaire. The overall well-being of Canadians is at a lower level than before the pandemic at 49.4, while younger millennials (20-29 years) have the lowest scores compared to other age groups. age, or 46.9. If employers need to think about how benefits can more effectively and continuously meet employees’ health needs, employees must use the resources that are already available, but which half of Canadians admit they never use. according to Dialogue.

Source: Health Technologies Dialogue