July 24, 2024 1 Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Do you have any tips on giving and receiving feedback at work?

Dear Joanna,

I have been receiving ongoing feedback from my manager regarding a recent report that I submitted to her in my role as Office Manager. On one hand, she says to me “Good report; I suggest that you modify sections A and B”. The next time, she simply states “This is no good. Try it this way.” I am so confused and honestly, I’m quite hurt. I don’t understand what I am doing wrong? Then again, maybe my work is just fine! I cannot figure her out and whether this is positive or negative feedback or just plain criticism.

Am I misunderstanding her because of cultural differences between us? Do you have any tips on giving and receiving feedback at work in Canada?

Signed: Feedback Tips (FT)

Dear FT:

Sometimes it is difficult to understand the feedback that you get from employers in a Canadian workplace analyzing what they mean can definitely be a challenge. I will refer to Lionel Laroche, an expert in intercultural communications as well as to JVS Toronto’s Canadian Workplace Communication program that helps internationally trained and experienced professionals from the architecture/design, IT and banking, finance and accounting sectors. This information is relevant to any employee who is facing workplace challenges, such as giving and receiving feedback.

An important part of communicating successfully in any workplace is the ability to give and receive feedback in the form of constructive criticism. In workplace environments where team work is common, the exchange of ideas, reviewing and revising work plans and reports, and debating strategies are part of everyone’s daily activities.

People perceive feedback differently. Some are more sensitive than others; they may also have difficulty giving feedback because they feel they are criticizing someone. Yet, feedback plays a crucial part in the Canadian workplace. Employees are expected to share ideas, give input, and give feedback on team projects.

Some tips in dealing with negative feedback:

1. Listen carefully and know when to recognize negative feedback.

There is a tendency in Canada to mask negative feedback with positive comments in order to ‘soften the blow’. This form of negative feedback is rarely found in other cultures. In Canada, (and among many English-speaking cultures) it might be the first warning you receive that indicates you are having performance issues that need to be addressed. You will need to learn to hear the negative comment and correct your actions before your boss has to come to address it again. Failure to understand that you are being giving negative feedback will likely be perceive by your boss as an inability to follow direction. This is could be considered good reasons for termination.

2. Analyze the feedback: Analyze the feedback statements you receive in terms of these 3 Negative Feedback Categories:

a. The Sandwich (the positive-negative-positive statement)

This type of negative feedback statement is often the first you will hear from your boss. Because it is masked with two positive comments, it is easy to think that you are actually being praised when in fact the opposite is happening. For example:

“I really like how you have structured this report, but there are a few oversights I’d like you to address. Great first effort!”
“I am really impressed with how much you have learned since you started last week, but a few concerns have arisen regarding the way you deal with clients.It seems that you tend to take a rather brisk tone with people and we’ll need you to soften that up a bit. As you are such a great salesperson, I am sure some of that talent can be applied to dealing with difficult clients as well.”

b. The Open-faced Sandwich (the negative-positive statement)

This will likely be the form of the second warning coming from the boss. The negative feedback will still be masked with positive comments but will likely be a little more prominent.

“I see you are still having some difficulties with the processes surrounding reporting. As you have such a developed sense of detail, I am sure that if you focus a little more attention on the particulars, things will come together just fine.”
“We have received a few complaints about your briskness with clients. I know it’s hard to deal with disgruntled clients but I’d like you to try to soften your approach somewhat. How about using that great sense of humour you have to keep things a little more diplomatic?

c. Just the Meat (a direct negative statement)

If you hear your boss giving you purely negative feedback, then you can be sure that you are in big trouble. There is a good chance that there will be serious consequences, termination being one of them, if you do not address the problem immediately.

“Your reporting is consistently not meeting the standards of this organization. I have given you a number of warnings but have not seen an improvement. If am afraid I have to report this problem to upper management.”
“Your manner of dealing with clients is not appropriate. I have warned you a number of times but you have not made any effort to improve. This is your last warning.”

4. Use the Right Words for the Right Situations.

Watch out for the particular words which are used in negative situations. Look at the term “Performance Issues” as an example. This is a formalized way of saying you are not doing your job up to the standards of the organization, and are at risk of losing your job. The word ‘issue’ is being used instead of ‘problem’ which is a stronger and more direct word that more clearly describes the situation. Canadians instead choose the word ‘issue’ to be more politically correct, because it is considered too harsh and personal to say that someone has performance problems.

Using the word ‘problem’ in the wrong situation can make everyone believe that things are really wrong, even when they are not. As a result, it is important to learn how to use the right word in the right situation, as well as to understand the real meaning of a word you are hearing as it applies to feedback you are being given.

5. Check-in and qualify.

You can always ask your manager for a 5-minute meeting just to make sure that you are on the same page regarding your performance. BE OPEN to any feedback; this could be a learning opportunity for you to gain more information, skills and knowledge required for the position.

FT, there is no harm in asking your manager to email you the feedback and what she would like to be improved. You can use this information as a list of areas to improve and start implementing this in your work. The ability to take charge with clarifying your manager’s feedback will be perceived as a sign of a good leader.

Best of success with your job,

Joanna

July 24, 2024 2 Comments

Back to Work After the Pandemic: What Next?

After years of working from home after “pivoting”, “adapting” and find a way of getting things done in these “exceptional times”, many remote workers are facing the prospect of returning to the office. Creating a new routine and find ways to be effective remotely was a challenge; but now that employers are summoning us back, many remote workers are starting to wonder if we truly want our old “normal” back.

Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, a third of Canadian workers found themselves unexpectedly working from home. Many of us were not ready. Workers had to adapt quickly – some had to create makeshift workspaces, setting up an old table in their bedrooms, kitchens or dining rooms, and some had to figure out how to cope with the challenges of getting work done while parenting and educating their school-age children at home. Often, more than one adult was working remotely in the home. It wasn’t easy.

Now, more than a year after the pandemic began, you’d think we would be happy to return to the familiar, focused and social environment we knew before. Nevertheless, many workers have begun to reflect on what they have gained and to wonder whether we could keep some of the benefits of this new arrangement after the “new normal” returns.

Looking back at the last year of working remotely, many employees are realizing that not all of it was bad. While working from home, we discovered that we could save money on the cost of commuting. We learned to enjoy the benefits of having access to our home facilities during the workday; it’s also been enjoyable to have access to our pets, favourite foods, and even (sometimes) our family members during the day. Not having to dress to code (at least from the waist down) has been enjoyable. The ability to focus without interruption has been a gift to those of us who struggle to fight the distractions of noisy cubicles and chatty colleagues. Some workers have enjoyed not being under the tight scrutiny of our supervisors, maybe even surprising ourselves to discover how efficient and self-directed we can be when required.

Other benefits of the shift to working from home include learning new technology skills, as well as ways of using technology to make life easier. Many employees took the opportunity to engage in online learning, and have developed a passion for ongoing professional development that they hope to continue developing into their future.

On the flip side, many workers are struggling with isolation. Some have reported feeling unstimulated and less creative. We often underestimate how much we draw on creative ideas that come from casual chatter in hallways and around water coolers. Many at-home workers report that it is hard to set boundaries between work and home, with work stretching beyond designated work hours, and home life intruding on getting work done during office hours. Some people even miss their commute, which allowed them to change hats between home and work, as it were, allowing time to process and switch off work thoughts and refocusing on tasks at home.

What do workers want?

To gauge the thoughts of employees, we posted a poll on LinkedIn that asked readers for their expectations from their workplace after reopening. The results were striking clear: we want (70%) to be able to retain some flexibility to be able to work remotely, as part of our return to our much anticipated “new normal”.

Worried about going back to work? Consider these actions:

Your current employer is likely working on figuring out how to bring back staff safely. But that doesn’t mean that staff shouldn’t voice their concerns and opinions to employers in anticipation, to ensure their needs and thoughts are included in back to work planning.

Here are some of the issues that might be worth inquiring about:

Safety measures and practices

Employers are obligated to ensure that workplace health and safety guidelines are established and enforced. The government of Ontario has posted guidelines about workplace safety on its website https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-coronavirus-and-workplace-health-and-safety which details workers’ rights, as well as measures taken by the ministry to increase inspection of workplaces.

The Province clearly outlines the fact that workers have a right to be in a workplace that screens people with symptoms and supports them to self-isolate (meaning enabling people to stay home from work if necessary), as well as to set up a workspace that enables physical distancing, ensures regular disinfection practices, and reduces in-person contact (for example, where reasonable, allowing for remote meetings instead of in-person).

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, workers do that the right to refuse work that they believe is unsafe. If health and safety concerns are not resolved internally, a worker can seek enforcement by filing a complaint with the Ontario Health and Safety Contact Centre (reachable by toll-free phone at 1-877-202-0008).

Accommodations

It is reasonable for employees to expect assistance from employers to accommodate their needs regarding continued practical challenges such as family obligations and medical concerns, and for employers to set up a process for these issues to be addressed properly.

Speak out about ideas regarding reopening

Seek out an opportunity to speak to your colleagues to discuss your preferences and concerns about reopening, as well as ways to speak to your employer about them. Consult with your union if you have one. Find a way to connect with your team members (without managers around, perhaps), using a chat app, email or even video. Ask questions about how colleagues are feeling and check in on their thoughts and concerns about returning to the office.

Check this blog for tips on ways of advocating for remote work. It’s likely that if staff members present a coherent workable case for new ways of getting the job done, including options such as hybrid in-office/remote options, managers would be willing to listen. Help managers understand some of the benefits of such changes, such as reduced cost, improved service access and enhanced efficiencies.

To sum up

As challenging as it has been to shift to working from home, many remote workers have discovered the benefits of remote work flexibility and would like to keep them post-pandemic. Many also worry about the safety of returning to in-person work. Employers will likely be open to discussing and considering these concerns, and workers should speak out to make sure their concerns are heard.

February 27, 2019 Leave a Comment

It’s Time to Start Looking for Summer Work

Young woman using computer on green glasses in the park. Education learning or freelance working outdoor or relaxation concept idea background.

At this time of year, when the sidewalks are covered in ice and snow, it’s hard now that summer is just around the corner and will arrive sooner than you think! Recruitment job postings has begun.

Summer are offered across various sectors, including seasonal positions for amusement parks, summer camps, resorts, campgrounds, as well as landscaping, tourism, and agriculture. Municipal, provincial and federal governments also post jobs summer jobs in a range of departments. Retailers also offer summer hiring programs.

Where to find summer jobs

Start with the obvious
Search engines like Google are the best places to start any kind of job search. Start with keywords like summer, jobs, a job title (e.g. landscaping) and location (e.g. Toronto). Set up to receive email alerts based on your searches that produce the best results. You’ll receive a notification every time a positions matches your search criteria.

Connect with companies on social media
Many companies and organizations post job opportunities on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can follow companies offering summer employment to get posts about vacancies. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date so employers can also search for candidates like you. You can conduct searches on each platform using hashtags like #summerjobs. This article talks about what employers look for in candidates on social media.

Job Boards
Look through specialized job boards, particularly if you’re a student, such as JobPostings.ca, Student Times and Talent Egg, which focus on summer jobs.

The government is hiring
Summer job postings for all three levels of government can start as early as January and promote vacancies on their website. Here’s a few to check out.

Government of Canada
Ontario Government and Ontario Public Service Careers
City of Toronto
The Municipality of York Region
Peel Region
Durham Region

Also visit the websites for each city within a region for their summer jobs. Through the Government of Canada Summer Jobs program, a range of employers, including small businesses, not-for-profit employers, and faith-based organizations, can apply for funding for summer positions. Funding priorities are listed here and will give you an idea of organizations to research.

There are also specialized government-funded programs that support youth such as:

Youth Job Connection Summer for high school students who are dealing with challenges such as poverty, homelessness, a disability or mental health issue, as well as part-time after school job opportunities
Youth Job Link for those between 15 and 29 years old, including a range of other job search supports
Self-employment/entrepreneurial opportunities through the Summer Company Program, which provides students with hands on business training, mentoring and financial awards to start and run their own summer businesses
Stewardship Youth Ranger Program, for students age 16 or 17, to work on local natural resource management projects for 8 weeks
Summer Employment Opportunities program for students over 15
Indigenous youth (15-24, or up to 29 for those with disabilities) can participate in the Indigenous Youth Work Exchange Program, an 8-week summer job for up to 3 consecutive summers, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
The First Nations Natural Resources Youth Em p loyment Program offers Indigenous youth (16-18 years old) placement opportunities for up to two summers in Northern Ontario to work on forestry and mining projects, receive workplace training and take personal development workshops
The Articling and Summer Law Student Programs offer first and second year law students opportunities with the Ontario government.

Check out classifieds listings such as Kijiji, who offer a Summer Job search. Traditional job boards such as Workopolis have summer student searches. Similarly, the vertical job boards such as Indeed.ca have specific summer searches.

Think of which employers are busiest in summer. For jobs in camps, check out Ontario Camps. local camps.

Remember that you can also create your own business and offer pet sitting, gardening, babysitting, elder care, housesitting services, for a fee, to friends and family. The provincial government offers support for summer companies, offered through JVS Toronto, through our Youth Services.

Keep in mind that temporary agencies might be ramping up their hiring to fill positions of employees away for summer. You will find a list of job boards compiled by our employment experts.

Besides an opportunity to build your resume and earn an income, summer work can have a lasting effect. Hard work and a good attitude can get you invited back for multiple summers, or turn into on-going part-time work.

December 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Careers options for Introverts

Dear Joanna,

I am always working on contracts as an IT consultant for different companies. The nature of the job is working with employees who have all types of personalities. The problem is that I am an introvert who likes to work alone. If I may be so bold as to say that I really don’t like people.

I’d like a career change. Any suggestions of careers where I can work alone most of the time, preferably in a remote office?

Signed: Alone Again Naturally

Dear Alone,

I’m impressed how self-aware you are of the type of workplace culture and environment you prefer. Finding a job today that does not require people skills is challenging.

Rachel Gillett, in her blog on The 13 Best Jobs for People who Hate People. Gillett also recommends another site, which offers you the option to research jobs based on how much the jobs require to be in contact with others.

However, if you are looking for a long term, meaningful and sustainable career that has minimal contact with people, look for career decision making supports. At JVS Toronto, we offer a range of Career Exploration programs, which include individualized career counselling provided by a professional Career Counsellor, assessment of individual strengths, skills, interests, values, personality factors and areas for development, development of immediate and long-term career action plans and completion of Career Assessment Profiles to examine career options. JVS also offers, as part of Employment Ontario services, a one one week, career exploration program, free to unemployed or underemployed residents of Ontario (unemployed or working under 21 hours).

In the meantime, here are Gillett’s “13 best jobs for people who hate people”:

Economists
Potters
Transportation-equipment painters
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders
Fallers
Hand-grinding and polishing workers
Geological sample-test technicians
Moulding, core making, and casting machine setters, operators and tenders
Garment or textile pressers
Craft artists
Poets, lyricists and creative writers
Farm workers and crop labourers
Hunters

On a side note, it may be worthwhile to try and challenge yourself to work better with people — learning to get along with a diverse group of people would expand your career options and may be rewarding for many aspects of your life.

Consider joining groups through sites such as MeetUp.com where you can meet people near you, with whom you share interests. You might find that volunteer in a meaningful setting would be an enjoyable way to meet people. Also, there are some excellent opportunities to gain certification diplomas or bachelors degrees in adult education, toastmasters, intercultural communication, Personality Dimensions Facilitation, Life Skills Coaching, to name a few.

Best of luck,