How Quebec’s Language Law Impacts Ontario Employment

Quebec’s controversial language law, titled Bill 96, is now in effect, and its impact has bled into other provinces. The new law was adopted in May 2022 and brought significant changes to the Charter of the French Language to prioritize and protect the French language.

 

Bill 96 affects all businesses with operations or employees in the province. However, the law has implications beyond Quebec. Ontario businesses have also begun noticing the impact of the new language bill. Here are a few ways Bill 96 has impacted Ontario employment.

 

Cross-Provincial Business is Harder

Under the new law, all businesses that operate or serve customers, even digitally, in Quebec now have to offer French services. That means that Ontario-based companies working in the province are now required to follow these new regulations, including French-first communication. This means that businesses now have to focus on adding French language options to their website, emails, and advertising, as well as hiring more French-speaking employees.

 

Bilingual Demand Increasing

Being bilingual, especially in French, has always been in demand in Canada, but now that has increased. Unfortunately, there is a French talent shortage. Even though the total bilingual population across Canada has increased, Statistics Canada reported that the proportion of people fluent in both French and English in provinces outside of Quebec diminished between 2016 and 2021. The number of French-first speakers declined in almost every province and territory as well. This means finding French-speaking employees to meet the new Bill 96 requirements is more challenging.

 

More French in Ontario

Bill 96’s impact doesn’t just impact businesses in Quebec. Companies based in Ontario have already begun to feel the rising demand to offer services in French, even if they don’t operate in Quebec. Businesses in Ottawa, which are just across the provincial border, have seen a rise in tourists expecting to be served in French. While it’s not required in Ontario, companies want to meet the needs of their customers, meaning French-speaking skills will continue to be in high demand, even outside of Quebec.

 

Are you looking for French talent or jobs that could benefit from your language skills? Contact Nova Staffing today!  

 

6 Ways to Advance Your Career

Finding a good job is only one step in establishing a lucrative career. With inflation on the rise and more job availability than ever before, now is the perfect time to focus on advancing your career. As one of the top employment agencies in the GTA, we’ve seen what it takes to rise and earn more. Here are some things you can do to advance your career.

                                    

Take Training Courses

If you’re looking to advance your career, one easy way to show you’re serious and skilled is to take a training course. This might sound daunting while working full-time, but there are tons of training courses that are online, part-time, or only take a few hours! Some training courses require some financial investment, while others are entirely free. Training courses are a great option if you feel you’re lacking in certain skills that could make you more appealing for promotions or raises.

 

Return to School

If you’re interested in pivoting your career, or the position you want requires certain specialty degrees, it may be worth going back to school. This is much more of a time and financial investment, but one that could be well worth it. Some companies even offer support to workers that are interested in returning to school, so feel free to discuss options with your employer!

 

Learn a New Skill  

If you’re more of a self-learner, you can take on tackling a new skill! The great thing is many skills don’t require training courses or degrees to master. The Internet has tons of amazing free resources that can help you adopt new skills that will help advance your career. Interested in a position that requires Excel knowledge? Watch some YouTube videos! Have you always wanted to become a graphic designer? Photoshop has free lessons!

 

Look at Different Companies

Companies often have tighter budgets when it comes to raises and promotions, meaning it may be a smarter move to advance your career at a different company. While older generations were loyal to their employers above all else, younger generations realize that switching companies not only gives them more experience and insight but it’s also the best path to advancing and earning more.

 

Brush Up Your Resume

Sometimes all you need to do to earn a better position is fine-tune your resume. Your resume is your first impression, so maybe you’re just not making the best one that you can. Resumes should be tailored for specific positions, so make sure you’re not using a generic one that doesn’t really highlight how your skills and experience could help in this job opening. Also, have trusted friends and family members read it over to see how it sounds and catch any errors.

 

Network

Relationships play a big role in career advancement, whether people like to admit it or not. The higher you rise in the company, the tighter the communities get. Managers want to promote people they enjoy working with. If you’re looking to advance, make an effort to get to know people. Networking can be a powerful yet simple tool for growing your career.

 

If you need help finding a new position, contact Nova Staffing today! Our team of hiring professionals has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d be happy to find you the perfect job.

 

World in Need of More than 2.6 Million Truck Drivers

The transportation and trucking industry has been struggling with a driver shortage for years, and a new survey just revealed how bad it is. A recent report found a global shortage of more than 2.6 million commercial truck drivers. 

 

The IRU, a global transportation organization, identified that there was 2.6 million unfilled truck driving jobs in 2021. This was based on data from the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Europe, Eurasia, Turkey, Iran, and China. The report didn’t include data from Canada; however, the country is also experiencing a driver shortage. 

 

“It is a global issue,” said IRU business analyst Natalia Corchado, presenting the statistics during a June 27 webinar. The shortage is expected to intensify in 2022.

 

The report also found that in addition to open positions, certain demographics were severely underrepresented in the trucking industry. Women make up fewer than 3% of the global truck drivers. While these rates are higher in China (5%) and the U.S. (8%), it’s still a long way away from a 50% gender balance. 

 

Age demographics are also imbalanced in the industry. A vast majority of truck drivers are over the age of 55 and quickly approaching retirement age which will aggravate the driver shortage even more. Fewer than 7% of the world’s truck drivers are under 25. Canada faces a similar issue, with the country’s average truck driver age being 48. 

 

“The driver shortage is very real and only expected to get worse,” agreed Sutco Transportation president Doug Sutherland, chairman of the Canadian Trucking Alliance’s blue ribbon task force on the driver shortage.

 

Canada wasn’t included in the IRU data, however, it has more than 23,000 open truck driver jobs. That number could reach 55,000 by the end of 2024, according to Trucking HR Canada data. 

 

There is no simple solution to the issue. There are a number of barriers preventing a new generation of truck drivers from entering the industry, including minimum licensing ages preventing younger workers from starting. 

 

The good news is that driver wages are on the rise, making the positions more lucrative and enticing. At Nova Driver Services, we have a number of open commercial driving positions available with some of the top transportation companies in the country. If you’re interested in starting a lucrative career with lots of job security and growth potential, contact us today or check out our online driver job board! 

 

4 Industries in Toronto Hiring Right Now

Are you looking for work in the Greater Toronto Area? Great news, many industries are looking to hire qualified workers right now. Here are four of the top industries that are hiring in Toronto right now.

 

Medical Workers

While the pandemic has mostly subsided, medical workers are still desperately needed. Toronto is looking to hire medical workers for various fields right now, from doctors and nurses to home health and senior care aides. Some of these positions require extensive medical training, while others are open to those who complete some training courses. If you’re looking to get into the medical field, now is the time!

 

Airport Workers

It’s no secret that Toronto Pearson airport has been a mess lately. From long lines to lost luggage, the airport has been struggling. A big reason behind this is their need for workers. Airport workers are in hot demand right now, and the top airlines are looking to hire them. From flight attendants to baggage handlers, there are many open positions for those interested.

 

Transportation Workers

The transportation industry has many lucrative opportunities and strong career growth potential. The trucking industry is looking to hire qualified drivers to keep Canada’s supply chain going. The great thing about entering the transportation industry is that many companies provide the training required or have positions ready and open for those who complete them on their own.

 

Customer Service

The pandemic hit customer service jobs, such as retail and food service workers, hard. Many of these workers had to pivot into different sectors, leaving openings now that customer service jobs are back. The great thing is that most customer service jobs don’t require training or experience, just a good attitude!

 

Interested in pursuing these jobs?

At Nova Staffing, we specialize in helping companies fill job openings and aiding workers in finding the right positions for their skills. If you’re interested in finding a job, contact us today or check out our online job board!

 

How Hiring Agencies Can Save You Money

Are you looking to grow your business and expand your team? Hiring the right people is the best way to expand your company and increase profits. Recruitment isn’t always easy, though. The process may fall onto you if your company doesn’t have an HR or hiring team. Using the services of a hiring agency like Nova Staffing not only gives you access to many quality candidates but can also save your company money.

 

Find Quality Candidates

Recruitment agencies like Nova Staffing specialize in finding, screening, and hiring the best people for the role. The best candidates might cost a bit more upfront in terms of salary and benefits, but they more than makeup for it. The right hires will increase productivity and profits, making your business more money.

 

Less Turnover

Hiring is an expensive process. Not only do you have to take time out of your day to review resumes and take interviews, but you also have to invest in training. That’s why it can be frustrating when a company has a high turnover. High turnover can either mean there’s an issue in the business, or you’re hiring the wrong people for the job. At Nova Staffing, we’ll find you candidates that not only are the right fit but that will want to stay around for the long haul, saving you costs in the process.

 

Expedited Process

The recruitment process can be a long one. From writing and posting job listings to reading resumes and attending interviews. When companies try to tackle this themselves, they have less time and energy to focus on their real jobs. By hiring a top-tier hiring agency like Nova Staffing, you get our expertise and our time! We’ll take over the entire process so that you can do what you do best.

 

Are you ready to get the hiring process started? Contact us today! Our team of staffing experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d love to help fill any job openings you have.

 

4 of the Best Ways to Find Jobs in Toronto

Are you looking for a career change or just want a side job to increase your income? It’s time to start the job search! Job searching used to mean printing off resumes and hitting the pavement, but these days, most job hunting happens online. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. Here are some of the best ways to find great jobs in Toronto.

 

Use an Online Job Board

The most common place to find a job these days is to turn to one of the many online job boards such as Indeed or LinkedIn. While these have many available jobs, which search features can narrow down, these sites have challenges. You’ll be competing with everyone else applying there as well, and unfortunately, many companies don’t maintain these listings, meaning they could be already fulfilled or expired.

 

Look into School Resources

Are you a student looking for summer positions or a recent graduate? Check out your school’s resources! Many universities have job boards full of positions specifically targeting students or graduates. There might also be resources to help you brush up on your resume or teach your interviewing skills. Our HR experts recommend using any school resources before they expire.

 

Turn to Social Media

Social media isn’t just for entertainment! It’s now also a good place to turn to for job hunting. Many brands advertise openings on Instagram, and Facebook also has features for job postings. If there’s a particular company you’re interested in working for, be sure to check out their socials to see if they’re advertising any openings. Or, you could even reach out to them directly with your info to see if they’re interested!

 

Reach out to a Recruiter

One of the more sure-fire ways to secure yourself a lucrative position is to reach out to a recruiter. Recruitment agencies like Nova Staffing have experts ready to help you land your dream positions. We have close ties with some of the best companies in Toronto and can find you the perfect position. Recruiters are also great because they act as a middleman and can make sure you’re not being toyed around with.

 

Are you ready to start a new job? Contact us today to get started! Our team of hiring experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’re ready to help you.

 

How to Reduce Employee Return to Office Anxiety

Employers are keener than ever to roll out in-office models and get employees physically back in the workplace. This plan has been met with resistance by employees, many of whom are pushing back against the move. Employees are hesitant to lose the flexibility and freedom remote has given them over the past few years, resulting in anxiety about returning to the office. The job market is in favor of employees these days, so here are some ways employers can reduce the return to work anxiety and get employees comfortable coming back.

 

Listen to Employees

Once your company has made the decision to bring employees back into the office, our HR experts at Nova Staffing suggest you start this move by opening up discussions with your workers. Get their input on what days they’d like to come in, what accommodations they need to feel safe, and answer any questions they have.

 

Embrace Hybrid Models

Many employees are open to coming back into the office part-time but may be resistant because they fear it will become a five-day-a-week thing again. Employers that have embraced the hybrid model, where workers come in only a few days a week, have had much less pushback from employees. Employees are less anxious about returning a few days if they know they still get the flexibility of WFH the other days.

 

Make a Plan

A big cause of back-to-office anxiety is the unknown. Will it be a permanent thing or just temporary? What about vaccination? Will there be changes to sick leave policies? Having a clear, comprehensive back-to-office plan will make employees feel more comfortable and secure. Our HR experts suggest making a plan after talking with employees and then going over it with them once management has drafted it to see if there are any major issues.  

 

Create Guidelines & Rules

For many companies, things turned more casual when working from home. Employees may be feeling anxious about returning to the office because they don’t know whether they’re stepping back into corporate culture or if the new more-lax attitude is carrying over. Before bringing people back in, great guidelines and rules around things like dress code, social distancing, mask use, vaccination, sick days, etc.  

 

Provide Mental Health Support

Burnout is one of the biggest causes of the Great Resignation and a major source of people’s reluctance to return to the office. Remote working did wonder in helping employees establish a healthy work-life balance. Having more control over their work environment and schedule helped employees improve their mental health. Make sure your company has support for those who may have mental health struggles about returning to the office.

 

Do you need help filling job positions or HR advice on how to bring employees back into the office effectively? Contact Nova Staffing today! Our team of hiring experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d be happy to help. 

 

Ontario’s “Right to Disconnect” Law Now in Effect

Ontario’s right to disconnect policy has officially been enacted as of June 3rd, and this new law has major implications for workers and employers. According to our hiring experts at Nova Staffing, here is everything you need to know about this new work policy and how it will impact your company. 

 

What is the policy?

In late 2021, Ontario enacted Bill 27: Working for Workers Act 2021. This bill requires employers with 25 or more staff as of January 1st, 2022, to have a policy that outlines how workers can disconnect from the workplace after hours. It has been dubbed the “Right to Disconnect” law and is now officially in effect. Companies have un

 

What does “disconnect from work” mean?

The boundaries between work and personal life got blurred during the pandemic and work from home, resulting in burnout and poor work-life balance for some workers. The new Act now legally protects employees from working after hours. The Act formally defines disconnecting from work as “not engaging in work-related communications, including emails, telephone calls, video calls or sending or reviewing other messages, to be free from the performance of work.” In other words, your employers can no longer ask you to do tasks related to work outside of formal work hours. 

 

When does this policy go into effect?

The Right to Disconnect law formally went into effect in Ontario on June 3rd. However, companies have a grace period to draft a written policy related to this. Starting in 2023, businesses with 25 workers or more will need an official written policy on disconnecting from work in place before March 1st of that year. 

 

What inspired this new Act?

The new Act was inspired by France’s 2016 law that gave workers the right to turn off electric work devices outside of business hours. Canada’s federal government began reviewing labor standards in 2018, mulling whether this would also be useful here. A federal committee began analyzing the issue last October, but Ontario chose not to wait for federal regulations and instead drafted its own provincial policy. 

 

What should companies do now?

If this new policy impacts your company, it’s time to start drafting a workplace policy about disconnecting after hours! Feel free to contact our HR experts at Nova Staffing for any help. Our team has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d be happy to help guide you and fill any open positions you have. 

 

5 Common Interview Questions to Retire

Interviews are always a little nerve-wracking, and the last thing you want to do is ask questions that make candidates even more on edge. Asking the right questions during the process can make all the difference. Many traditional interview questions are unnecessarily stressful and don’t actually give you a good idea of who your candidates are. According to our hiring experts at Nova Staffing, here are some common interview questions companies should retire.

 

Question 1: “How Would You Deal With…”

Hypothetical questions are extremely stress-inducing and, at best, leave you with a rough guess of how a candidate would react in a situation. This isn’t a reliable indicator of performance, and often people react completely differently in an actual situation versus a hypothetical one. Past behavior is a better indicator of future behavior, which is why the better way to phrase this sort of question is “Can you describe a situation where you successfully dealt with….” This will allow the candidate to go over a past accomplishment and provide you with concrete examples.

 

Question 2: “What Are Your Greatest Strengths?”

This is one of the most traditional interview questions and is by far one of the most common interview questions. As common as it is, it’s pretty useless as far as questions go. Not only do candidates know to expect this question and prepare carefully crafted answers, but there’s also no real way to substantiate their response. Anyone can say they’re detail-oriented or hardworking, but what proof do you have? Instead, ask, “Can you describe a work situation that best demonstrates your personal strengths?”

 

Question 3: “What Are Your Greatest Weaknesses?”

This common question is often a follow-up to the one above. Asking about weaknesses is often more nerve-wracking for people, especially because no one wants to admit they have faults while trying to win over a company. Candidates know to prepare for this question, so they often edit out any real weaknesses and instead only share “good” ones that don’t give you an accurate picture of them. It’s better to ask questions like, “Can you describe a challenging situation that exposed a weakness of yours, and how did you overcome it?” This gives your candidate a chance to be honest about weaknesses and share how they worked around them.

 

Question 4: “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”

This question always feels like it should be asked by a high school guidance counselor or your grandparents at Thanksgiving dinner rather than a company interviewing you. Today, the concept of a lifelong job is outdated. Most people don’t expect to stay at the same company for more than a few years. Toss in the current volatile and ever-changing global landscape, and it’s pretty rare for people to have a clear five-year vision for themselves. If you do want to ask this question, frame it as “Where do you see yourself in a year or two” or “What would you like to learn over the next few years?”

 

Question 5: “Why Do You Want This Job?”

This is one of the questions recruitment agents hate asking the most, and we usually encourage companies to skip it. This type of question will never give you the honest answer you want. The truth is most people want a job for the money and financial security. It’s better to ask, “What about this job excites you” or “What about our company piqued your interest?”

 

Is your company looking to hire quality candidates? Contact Nova Staffing today! Our team of experienced hiring experts can help fill your job openings and ask the right interview questions that will ensure you hire the right people!

 

Cross-Border Truck Driver Requirements

Are you interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial driver? Truck drivers are in high demand right now, and the industry has a lot of opportunities. There are many different types of commercial truck driver jobs, but cross-border trucking is one of the most common ones we hire for at our driver recruitment agency. According to our driver hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, if you’re interested in becoming a cross-border trucker, here are all requirements you should know about.

 

What is Cross-Border Trucking?

As the name implies, cross-border trucking involves driving and delivering goods across the border. In Canada, this is usually just between the U.S.-Canada border, but occasionally drivers will go down and cross the U.S.-Mexico border as well.

 

Cross-border trucking can mean high-paying jobs; however, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet in order to qualify for these gigs.

 

Immigration Requirements

Canadian trucks looking to complete deliveries in the U.S. must meet the general entry requirements for admission as a B-1 visitor. This means commercial cross-border drivers must:

  1. Have a residence in Canada, with no intention of abandoning it
  2. Intend to depart the U.S. at the end of their temporary admission
  3. Have the financial means to finish the job and make it out of the U.S.
  4. Establish that they are not inadmissible to the U.S., including for health reasons, criminal convictions, or previous immigration violations.

 

The last requirement is especially important. If you have any serious health issues, any past criminal convictions, especially in regards to violence, weapons, or drugs, and any previous immigration issues, you probably will not qualify for cross-border trucker jobs as there is a very real chance you will not be allowed to cross the U.S.-Canada border.

 

Document Requirements

Crossing the border as a commercial driver is different than driving through as a visitor, but drivers will still need to present certain documents. Canadian citizens entering the U.S. as drivers must present the following documents to be allowed entry:

  • One of the following pieces of ID:
  • A Canadian passport
  • An enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID card
  • An enrollment card from a DHS trucked traveling program

 

Inspection Requirements

All trucks and drivers entering and leaving the U.S. are inspected by border patrol. Inspections may differ each time however, they may include a number of elements, including:

  • Document verification
  • X-ray of cargo
  • Cargo inspection

 

DOT Requirements

The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated. In order to keep drivers and the roads safe, the Canadian and U.S. governments have certain Hours of Service Rules. These are designed to ensure drivers are getting enough rest so that they can safely make their deliveries. All commercial drivers are required to keep a logbook of their hours, which may be reviewed when you cross the board. Commercial drivers will be instructed on how to properly keep track of their HoS so that they pass inspection.

 

Are you ready to hit the road as a cross-board trucker? Nova Driver Services is one of the top driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help you find the right position. Contact us today to check out our online job board.