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A 7-Minute Video That Changed Hiring Outcomes — and What It Means for Ontario Employers
A new Harvard and University of Exeter study found that a simple 7-minute video before hiring decisions dramatically improved outcomes for equity-deserving candidates. Here’s what it means for Ontario employers as new job posting laws take effect.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 17, 20253 min read


Rethinking Accommodation Through a Trauma- and Violence-Informed Lens
In OPSEU v LCBO, a rural worker facing intimate partner violence and suspected alcohol use was terminated despite the employer “doing everything right.” This case reveals why trauma- and violence-informed accommodation matters — and how communities can step up to remove barriers to safety and support.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 13, 20253 min read


Gender Pay Gap & Sexual Harassment Start Early
Teenage girls earn $3 less per hour than boys in their summer jobs — and the gap is even wider in caregiving roles. What does that tell us about the roots of workplace inequity, and what can organizations do to make change?

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 10, 20252 min read


Beyond Culture Reviews: Why Participatory Gender Audits Go Further
Participatory Gender Audits (PGAs) go beyond traditional culture reviews — providing a more intersectional, rigorous, and evidence-based way to understand how identity, bias, and systems interact in the workplace. Here’s how PGAs help organizations build more inclusive and resilient cultures.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 8, 20252 min read


When “No Harassment Complaints” Doesn’t Mean “No Harassment” in the Workplace
Many workplaces take comfort in having little to no harassment complaints. But “no complaints” doesn’t always mean “no problems.” Here are three overlooked gaps that might be hiding behind seemingly clean stats — and what HR leaders can do to close them.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 8, 20253 min read


Family status accommodation: the limits of information requests
A recent legal decision, Bombardier v Unifor, highlights how employers can overreach when assessing family status accommodation requests. Learn how to respect employee privacy while meeting legal obligations.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 3, 20252 min read


Honouring Truth and Taking Action: Reflections on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is both a time of mourning and a call to action. This reflection explores how employers can respond to Call to Action #92 — starting with education, meaningful land acknowledgments, and creating safer, more equitable workplaces for Indigenous colleagues.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 29, 20252 min read


Why Workplace Pregnancy Loss Policies Must Include Abortion
Many workplace pregnancy loss policies reference miscarriage and stillbirth but leave out abortion. This omission creates stigma, confusion, and harm. Here’s why inclusive policies matter—and how employers can take action.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 29, 20252 min read


Context Matters: Rethinking Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
A recent HRTO decision found certain acts weren’t sexual harassment when viewed in isolation. But context reveals otherwise. Here’s why workplace harassment programs must focus on patterns, power, and control—not just individual incidents.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 23, 20252 min read


Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Pay Transparency and the Gender Wage Gap
Employers often assume pay transparency laws aren’t needed—but common myths reveal why gaps persist. Here are the top 5 misconceptions about pay transparency and the gender wage gap, and how data can help fix them.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 22, 20252 min read


Equal Pay Day: Why Legal Compliance Isn’t Enough
Equal Pay Day reminds us that closing the wage gap requires more than compliance with the law. From “greedy jobs” to systemic inequities, true progress comes from embedding fairness and flexibility into workplace design.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 17, 20252 min read


Upwards Harassment: The Overlooked Gap in Workplace Policies
Workplace harassment isn’t always top-down. A recent BC Human Rights Tribunal case shows how leaders can face harassment from subordinates—and how employers fail when they don’t take these complaints seriously. Here’s why upwards harassment matters, and what organizations must do to address it.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 17, 20252 min read


Return-to-Office (RTO) Mandates Aren’t Gender Neutral
Return-to-office (RTO) mandates aren’t gender neutral. Claudia Goldin’s research shows that inflexibility widens the gender wage gap—and the impacts extend to gender-diverse employees, caregivers, and workers with disabilities. Here’s how Participatory Gender Audits (PGAs) can help employers catch issues early and protect equity, retention, and compliance.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 28, 20252 min read


Misgendering and Deadnaming as Workplace Harassment in Canada
Misgendering and deadnaming aren’t just harmful—they’re recognized as workplace harassment under Canadian human rights law. Recent tribunal decisions confirm that this behaviour can amount to discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Here’s what that means for employers, HR professionals, and colleagues—and how to respond if mistakes happen.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 21, 20253 min read


Breast/Chestfeeding at Work: What Employers and HR Need to Know
Supporting employees who breastfeed or chestfeed isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a key part of building inclusive, equitable workplaces. This post breaks down the legal landscape in Canada, best practices for HR, and practical steps employers can take to create truly breast/chestfeeding-friendly environments.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 6, 20253 min read


BC Human Rights Tribunal Links Domestic Violence to Sex, Gender, and Marital Status in Interim Decision
The BC Human Rights Tribunal has confirmed a connection between domestic violence and the protected grounds of sex, gender, and marital status under the Human Rights Code. In The Worker v Translink Security Management Ltd, the Tribunal denied an employer’s bid to dismiss a complaint, underscoring employers’ duty to consider domestic violence in accommodation and disciplinary decisions.

Rika Sawatsky
Aug 5, 20253 min read


Return-to-Office (RTO) Mandates Are Quietly Widening the Gender Gap
Return-to-office mandates are widening the gender gap by disproportionately impacting working mothers who face childcare challenges and wage penalties. Without thoughtful flexibility and ongoing monitoring, these policies risk deepening workplace inequities. Learn why flexibility is essential and how employers can assess and mitigate the impact of RTO mandates on gender equity.

Rika Sawatsky
Jul 21, 20252 min read


Defining "domestic violence" in your workplace violence policy & program
Ontario’s OHSA requires employers to protect workers from domestic violence at work—but most policies don’t define what that means. This post explores how employers can interpret and apply the law using guidance from experts, government policy, and legislation across Canada. Understanding the full scope of domestic violence is key to creating safer workplaces.

Rika Sawatsky
May 9, 20255 min read


Is Your Employment Contract Enforceable? 4 Contract Defects to Know
Many employment contracts contain termination clauses that won’t stand up in court. In this post, I break down four key reasons a contract may be unenforceable—including violations of employment standards, unconscionable terms, lack of consideration, and major changes to your role over time. Understanding these legal principles can help you make informed decisions and protect your rights at work.

Rika Sawatsky
May 9, 20252 min read


Ontario’s New Pay Transparency Laws: What’s Changing, What Isn’t, and What You Can Do
Ontario’s new pay transparency laws come into effect in 2026. In this post, I unpack what’s changing—from AI disclosures to Canadian experience rules—and how job seekers can navigate the gaps, protect themselves in hiring, and what's the status in other provinces. Whether you're applying to jobs, reviewing offers, or helping shape workplace policy, here’s what to know.

Rika Sawatsky
May 2, 20253 min read
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