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1 Assignment 2 Emerging Issues in Labour Relations and Strategies to Overcome Them Name: Sher Azam Khan ID: 41064742 Cod, HRM4122 Labour Relations. Professor: Ivana McIntosh Date: Feb. 10, 2024 Sher Azam Khan

2 Work-Life Balance The idea of work-life balance is often seen as consisting of two main aspects: time constraints and scheduling conflicts, as well as the challenge of juggling multiple roles that can lead to feeling overwhelmed, overloaded, or stressed. Achieving a balance between work and personal life is more than just dividing time equally between the two. Instead, it's about finding a way to harmonize both to satisfy the individual. The conflict between work and personal life arises when the demands of work and personal life become incompatible, creating a situation where participation in one role makes involvement in the other more difficult. (Government of Canada, 2023) According to Health Canada, (Government of Canada, 2023) there are four main categories of work-life balance that people experience. These include: 1. Role overload: This happens when the demands of multiple roles, such as work and family, become too much to handle. It can lead to stress and difficulty performing all tasks adequately. 2. Work-to-family interference occurs when work responsibilities make it challenging to fulfill family duties. For instance, extended work hours may prevent someone from attending their child's extracurricular activities or cause family conflict due to work- related stress. 3. Family-to-work interference: Family demands and responsibilities make it difficult to focus on work. For example, caring for a sick child may require someone to take time off from work, or conflict at home can distract them while at work. Sher Azam Khan

3 4. Caregiver strain: This refers to the burdens experienced by caregivers in their daily lives due to the need to provide care or assistance to others in need. It is a complex and multidimensional concept that can cause significant stress and strain on caregivers.  Research the history of the issue you have chosen from the above options- how has it changed and developed over the years? What factors have contributed to this change? The concept of "work-life balance" has existed for over a century. In the late 1800s, laws were passed to limit the working hours of women and children employed in the manufacturing industry. These laws aimed to improve working conditions and safeguard the most vulnerable workforce. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established a 44-hour workweek for most employees. However, some professions were exempt from this restriction, such as those requiring employees to be on call. (Raja & Stein, 2014). The Women's Liberation Movement of the 1960s helped popularize the idea of flexible work schedules and maternity leaves to support gender equality in all aspects of life, including the workplace. These benefits eventually extended to both men and women. (Raja & Stein, 2014) In the 1980s, the idea of balancing work and personal life emerged to increase job satisfaction and personal fulfillment. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of work-life balance, and many employers now offer flexible work arrangements to their employees. Achieving a healthy balance between work and personal life can be challenging, but it has benefits for both employees and employers. (Raja & Stein, 2014) Sher Azam Khan

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4 Having a healthy work-life balance is a significant goal for many people. It often plays a crucial role in their decision-making process while selecting a job (Raja & Stein, 2014). As a student for the past few years, I understand the difficulties of balancing academic responsibilities with personal life. It becomes even more challenging when you have a part-time job or extracurricular activities that demand a lot of time. Fortunately, my university has taken the initiative to help students manage their time and workload effectively. They provide counselling services, time management workshops, and essential resources to help students prioritize their responsibilities. Despite these measures, I find it challenging to balance everything. Therefore, educational institutions must recognize the importance of work-life balance and provide students with the necessary support to achieve it. A recent survey conducted in Latvia found that remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic did not adequately facilitate work-life balance. The study revealed that women, particularly those with young children at home, were burdened with increased household responsibilities This issue is not unique to Latvia and is a global challenge that highlights the need for promoting work-life balance and flexibility policies for both genders. A more balanced approach to work can help employees feel more in control of their lives, reduce stress levels, and promote mental well-being.  Analyze what bodies of legislation apply and why. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is a federal agency that operates under the jurisdiction of the Canadian government. It is responsible for developing, promoting, and maintaining the country's highest occupational health and safety standards. Sher Azam Khan

5 (Government of Canada, 2023) The CCOHS provides a range of services and resources to help employees, employers, and other stakeholders in the workplace navigate and comply with the relevant legislation and regulations. Its mandate includes:  Promoting work-life balance.  Preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.  Providing education and training on health and safety issues. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to learn more about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. It is also helpful for those who manage health and safety programs and policies. The Government of Canada believes that there is a need for balance between work and personal life, as it benefits both the organization and its employees (Government of Canada, 2023). The CCOHS highlights various benefits of incorporating programs that promote balance, such as attracting and retaining staff, boosting morale, increasing productivity, and reducing burnout levels.  Discuss how union and management have been addressing the issue. What positions are they taking? Ontario labor unions, such as CUPE, are taking steps to promote a healthy work-life balance for their workers. One of these steps is to decrease overtime and workload, which helps to reduce stress and prevent burnout. Similarly, the Communication, Energy and Paperworks Union (CEP) has enforced policies that minimize working hours and regulate overtime. (de Wolff, A., 2003) They provide voluntary overtime to those employees who want to work extra hours, and they have a policy of no overtime during layoffs to protect employees Sher Azam Khan

6 from overworking during challenging times. Furthermore, CEP members have the option to take time off instead of overtime, which helps them to maintain a better work-life balance. By advocating for better working conditions and implementing policies to prevent overwork and burnout, Ontario unions are creating a more positive and supportive work environment for their members. (de Wolff, A., 2003) It appears that in some industries, workload imbalance is not given the priority it deserves by management. Although employers are aware of this issue, federal labor laws allow management to handle employee workload as they see fit (Syndicat Agriculture Union, 2011). Managers are reluctant to challenge unrealistic work demands, and despite senior members offering their support, Public Service Surveys consistently reveal that workload remains the top concern among federal government employees.  Discuss the future of this issue, and how it affects all parties (Union, Management and Employees). Achieving a healthy work-life balance is a vital goal for employees. In recent years, the concept of a 4-day work week has grown in popularity around the world and is contributing positively to this balance. It is crucial for individuals to find a balance that suits their lifestyle and needs. In November 2021, the CEO of Coconut Software, a company in Saskatoon, implemented a 4-day work week consisting of 32 hours per week. This decision was made after recognizing the impact of the pandemic on employees' stress levels. This change has allowed employees to have a better work-life balance and more time to spend with their families and loved ones. (Yu, 2022) Sher Azam Khan

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7 Adopting a four-day workweek has proven to be highly successful, resulting in increased morale and productivity, as observed by the CEO. According to a company survey, 78% of staff members reported better work-life balance and engagement in their work. (Yu, 2022) The employees were less stressed and more relaxed, resulting in an overall boost in productivity and job satisfaction. It's worth noting that maintaining a healthy work-life balance has numerous benefits, including better productivity, mental health, and reduced stress levels. Happier and more engaged employees are more likely to perform better, ultimately benefiting management. Employers who prioritize the well-being of their employees can retain their workforce and attract new talent. (Yu, 2022) Furthermore, unions are responsible for negotiating for their members' best interests. Unions should advocate for policies that promote work-life balance and protect the rights of employees. A four-day workweek can be an effective way to promote a balance between work and personal life. Therefore, employers and unions must prioritize the well-being of their employees.  Locate a Canadian article involving a union and an organization as it relates to your selected issue. Describe the current issue between the company and the union and provide an opinion as to what you believe should be the outcome based on your research into this issue. There was recently an issue between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Port of Montreal. The union went on strike due to concerns about their work-life Sher Azam Khan

8 balance. The workers were required to work during late nights, early mornings, and holidays and be available seven days a week. Moreover, their overtime rates were cut in response to the strikes. According to the Labour Ministry, in 2015, these employees earned a salary of $110,000 before benefits, and their employer believed they could work the requested hours. ( How to improve your work-life balance ) There should be a policy that promotes work-life balance. Employees should be able to negotiate overtime, holiday work, and pay linked to these. All parties involved, including the union, management, and workers, need to work together to find a solution that allows for more flexibility and reasonable working hours that won't lead to burnout, especially given their industry. However, as of early May 2022, there has not been any progress in negotiations for their following collective agreement. Unfortunately, there has been no sense of urgency from the employer since the federal government passed a special law on April 30, 2021, which forced the resumption of the workers' duties. Sher Azam Khan

9 References Government of Canada, C. C. for O. H. and S. (2023, June 13). Work-life balance . https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/worklife_balance.html Raja, S., & Stein, S. L. (2014, June). Work-life balance: History, costs, and budgeting for balance . Clinics in colon and rectal surgery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079063/ Owning the web with zombie chrome extensions. (n.d.). https://www.blackhat.com/docs/us-17/thursday/us-17-Cohen-Game-Of-Chromes-Owning-The-Web- With-Zombie-Chrome-Extensions-wp.pdf Yu, A. (2022, January 5). The evidence is there: A four-day work week just makes sense - CB . Canadian Business – How to Do Business Better. https://canadianbusiness.com/ideas/four-day-work-week- canada/ How to improve your work-life balance . Business News Daily. (n.d.). https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5244-improve-work-life-balance-today.html Longshore workers demand negotiations after special law forces them back to work . Montreal. (2022, May 1). https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/longshore-workers-demand-negotiations-after-special-law-forces- them-back-to-work-1.5883937 Sher Azam Khan

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