Editor’s Note

It is no doubt that employees are the greatest assets of an organization and protecting them should be the priority of every employer. Each year, an average of nearly 2 million U.S. workers report having been a victim of violence at work, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). That number, 2 million, only represents reported workplace violence incidents. The number of unreported incidents is likely far higher. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the number of annual workplace homicides hit 500 for the first time in 2016, representing 10 percent of all workplace fatalities that year. How to recognize inappropriate behaviors at work and take action to help prevent escalation, or help keep others out of harm if an incident does occur? Read this month’s cover article How To Create A Safer Workplace by Chris Willis to know how training can help prevent workplace violence.

Making all employees a part of your health and safety program can elevate it to achieve excellence beyond normal standards and regulations compliance. The ability to create a culture of safety sets the expectation for employees, contractors and service providers to constantly ensure that a safe and healthy workplace is maintained in a proactive manner. Read Darryl Berger’s article Cultivating A Corporate Culture Built On Safety to know the key steps organizations can take to build, establish and maintain a corporate culture around risk prevention.

Legalization of cannabis throughout Canada and 11 U.S. states to date means significant changes to come in workplace culture, and a whole lot of confusion from employers and human resources (HR) personnel. Many employers are already feeling the shift and wondering how to respond. How will cannabis legalization affect your workplace culture, productivity, and bottom line? Tyler Amell’s article Cannabis In The Workplace: What Employers Need To Know will answer all your questions and more.

Taking a coffee break at work should be a relaxing, and relatively simple, process. However, there are many unwritten rules that can complicate matters. Indeed, these unwritten rules dictate office coffee etiquette – and it seems that a lot of people are falling foul. The Secret Rules Of Office Coffee Etiquette by John Crowley shares some basic housekeeping rules for your office coffee station and how to enforce them.

This is not all! This month’s issue of HR Legal & Compliance Excellence is packed with top trending topics in the legal and compliance arena, and infused with information on new policies and laws to arm you and your employees to stay compliant and safe.