Workplace Culture: Finding a Balance of Love & Power
Adam Kahane’s book “Power and Love: A theory and practice of social change” looks at the concepts of power and love and how, in any healthy society, they are in a constant state of tension. Both are required, and the culture becomes unhealthy if they get out of balance. A workplace is a micro social structure with traditions, norms and culture, so why not embrace the workplace as a society to keep healthy? Taking this approach, leaders should work to ensure that power and love are present in the workplace and equalized.
Pandemic Survival Skills
ACTivate News
Honouring 2020
While 2020 was a challenging year, at ACTivate Hr we have much to be grateful for and are excited to look ahead to 2021. Here are some of our favourite numbers of 2020.
ACTivating Our Community at Cargo Logistics Conference 2018
This engagement is part of our ongoing commitment to ACTivate our community. ACTivate HR specializes in workplace investigations and Human Resources Consulting and provides services to clients all across Alberta. As part of this community initiative, we are digging into our HR Consulting toolkit to provide tips and advice to those in the logistics industry.
Core HR Services and Strategic HR Consulting
Hey Leaders – Are You a Performance Issue in the Goal Setting Process?
There is much debate these days as to whether annual goal setting and performance evaluation programs are effective or should be eliminated altogether. These programs can be highly effective and achieve great results – but they rarely do. As a result, many companies are considering scrapping their program.
“Multi-Tasking” – Are You Helping or Hurting Yourself?
I can remember, in my first leadership role, telling my direct reports that they needed to get better at multi-tasking. Critical pieces of work weren’t done when they needed to be. I required staff to complete parts one project and then move to a piece of a different project rather than finishing one project from start to finish. In retrospect, what I really wanted was for them to work on things in priority order. They didn’t need to multi-task; I needed to communicate what the priorities and deadlines were.
Organizational Culture
CEOs, You’re Likely the Reason Your Organizational Culture Sucks
Your annual satisfaction survey results are in and once again the culture and engagement scores are dismal. What’s going on? You’ve brought in open work spaces, flexible working hours, even frozen yogurt Fridays! So, why are employees so dis-engaged? CEOs, it’s time to take a good, hard look at what you may be doing to unconsciously kill the organizational culture in your organization.
Are You Using Technology to Avoid Communicating?
We live in such a rapidly changing age when it comes to technology, there are now a multitude of ways for us to stay connected and communicate with each other. With so many options on how to communicate, it can be tempting to choose one that reaches the most people, as opposed to one most effective for your message.
Uncategorized
What’s In A Reference? Can You Trust Your Instincts?
By Jena Rhydderch Everything is an equation. Post a job + prescreen candidates + interview candidates + reference checks = You are Hired. Bases are covered, i’s are dotted, t’s are crossed, and we have done our due diligence. So, if we apply the math, that must mean: Great candidate + Great Interview + Great
;Workplace Investigations
The Straight Goods on Recording Your Workplace Investigation Interviews
It’s a debate all good investigators have found themselves in; should you record your interviews when conducting workplace investigations? A number of organizations still have a policy of not recording interviews for several reasons. In many organizations, HR personnel are developing and have various levels of expertise in the area of investigations. In these cases,
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Demystifying Bill C-65 and Other Harassment and Violence Protection Legislation: What Alberta Employers Need to Know
Unchecked employee issues are the death of any workplace. Here are peaceful resolutions to the most common issues you'll face.
Testimonials
“As a result of the training, we feel competent to provide legally defendable investigations for any type of workplace concern. After our experience with them through this training we have engaged them to provide their experience and expertise in several other areas, including workplace culture reviews.
We strongly recommend Krista and the team at ActivateHR to support you.”
Aron W - Director HR
Long Term Care Facility
“Krista is a highly capable HR professional, and is quick to respond, approachable, and really easy to work with. She and her team really understand various intricacies of HR management. While working with her, she not only prepared the requested document for us, but went above and beyond by coaching me on how to present the document in a correct manner. I strongly recommend her services.”
Avneesh K - CEO and President
Web Services Company
“Shannon is extremely knowledgeable and up to date on all HR policy and practice areas, knows how to implement and maintain policy in a non bureaucratic way, and is skilled on investigation and follow up when required. She has comprehensive knowledge about HR information systems and operations and can make systems “sing”."
Gill B - VP Human Resources
Mid-Size Oil and Gas Company
“Joely has been very responsive and helpful from the first conversation had about our business needs. She understands our culture, her knowledge is broad and she is able to give a clear, concise responses in areas we lack. I sincerely recommend adding her to your team.”
Donna H - Executive / Clinical Director
Psychological Services Organization
“Krista, Joely and Shannon are a professional, trustworthy and results driven team committed to delivering value to the organization.”
Erin K - VP, Human Resources and Environment, Health and Safety
Mid-size Utility
“Krista and Joely conduct workplace investigations in a professional, confidential manner that mitigates clients’ legal risk. They also recommend and implement solutions following investigations that have created more harmonious work environments, reinforcing a client’s desired corporate culture and increasing employee engagement.”
Cameron B - Manager, Total Talent
Municipal Airport
“I have no hesitation in recommending both Krista and Joely based on their high level of performance and the confidential manner in which they conduct business on our behalf.”
Terri J - People Services Manager
Mid-size Energy Company
"Krista and her team have been an absolutely invaluable resource. As a small business owner, having someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Krista on HR laws, guidelines and industry norms available to answer questions and guide us has definitely increased our professionalism, confidence and trust that we are doing the right thing for our people."
Stephani C - Owner
Sustainable Consulting Company
“We are a small company that occasionally needs to draw upon the knowledge and expertise of a senior Human Resources Team and we have found ACTivateHR to be a perfect fit for our needs. The ACTivateHR team is responsive and knowledgeable; they understand our HR needs and most definitely provide value-added services. We highly recommend them.”
Lisa G - Senior Business and HR Analyst
Professional Services Company
"ACTivate HR is an amazing company and wonderful to work with. Our company had a large scale investigation occurring, and our team was overloaded and unable to respond to it by ourselves. Upon reaching out to ACTivate HR, I received a quick response from Krista, followed by plenty of great assistance. She was extremely professional and insightful, and provided a thorough report of the findings in a timely manner. I can’t recommend ACTivate HR enough.”
Garnet D - People Portfolio
Health Care
"When working with Krista on some sensitive topics I found Krista was quick to understand the business, responsive and understanding in difficult times and thoroughly professional in her approach to these sensitive issues. I would recommend Krista’s services and will be using them again the future should the need arise!”
Tania D - AVP HR Client Support
Financial Services Company