Legacy Bowes Blog

How nurturing this nuanced skill can transform your working world

Being assertive is a valuable skill. Think of the magnanimous bounty hunter Han Solo in Star Wars or the magical Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series—both exude confidence, they say what they mean, they’re trusted allies, and they’re successful in achieving their life goals.

In the working world, being assertive is an equally valuable competence. Assertiveness does not mean being aggressive or domineering – it means expressing your thoughts, needs, and expectations in a confident, respectful, and constructive manner. It means being present and listening actively. It means believing in yourself and staying steady in the face of adversity.

None of this is easy, though, and does not always come naturally (like for Han or Hermione) … nurturing your assertiveness is an exercise in nuance. By mastering this skill, you will feel more comfortable with the choices you make and create a positive work environment that fosters effective communication and productivity.

No one likes a complainer. They are thought to be looking for the negative in any situation, clouding the mood of the company, and enticing an audience to share in their woes. It can feel like they are always trying to dial down the positivity of whatever room they’re in.

There are, however, different kinds of complaints – and different kinds of complainers. By examining the benefits of these bellyachers, a culture of complainers can be successfully transformed into a meaningful source of innovation for your workplace.

Some hope to return to a pre-pandemic “normal” in the workplace, meanwhile continuing to embrace the changes and accommodations made during the pandemic can help retain employees and navigate current difficult situations.   

We’ve seen many changes in the workplace over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the very least, how employers have navigated it by accommodating their employees and tasks shows both tenacity and resilience. With many now returning to in-office work, let’s talk about what workplace changes have stuck, how to navigate them, and when Human Resources supports can assist in transitioning teams into the new normal.

Although human resources professionals spend a lot of time building structures, policy, processes, and procedures, we have to admit that we also spend a great deal of time navigating the gray of human behaviour and how to deal with issues when they arise. While there are judgement calls that need to be made when dealing with people, those decisions should be consistent, fair, and defensible.

At no time is this more true than when confronted with a workplace complaint.

There are many different complaint or grievance procedures that any business or organization could follow. When deciding on your course of action, there are a couple of factors you should keep in mind.

COVID-19 has removed many people from the workforce. Whether they are retiring or joining the gig economy, the results are the same: less people are applying for available positions and candidates are asking for higher compensation packages.

Driven by news reports and the high Consumer Price Index, existing employees are also asking for more in compensation. 

These scenarios are putting employers in a tough spot. Balancing the wish to hire and retain fantastic people who can move the organization forward with wanting to keep a lid on payroll costs can lead to tough decisions with lasting consequences.

Legacy Bowes has been receiving many questions about mandatory vaccinations in the workplace. The topic is especially pertinent for Indigenous communities who have passed Band Council Resolutions or Bylaws to require all people who enter the community to be vaccinated. This raises issues about Human Rights, personal health information, health and safety, and job requirements. Legacy Bowes has spoken with Shawn Scarcello from Cochrane Saxberg Barristers & Solicitors, in order to clarify both employee and employer rights. We have set it up to answer the frequently asked questions from Indigenous clients.