At a Glance
FROM: NOV-DEC 2007 ISSUE
“Assets invested according to socially responsible guidelines have increased from an estimated $65.5 billion in 2004 to $503.6 billion, as of June 30, 2006.”
– Canadian Socially Responsible Investment Review
Feeling Overworked?
Nearly one-third of Canadians aged 19–64 consider themselves workaholics, according to Statistics Canada. And their work habits have had consequences. Workaholics reported difficulty sleeping, negative health effects, and a lower level of life satisfaction than non-workaholics. They also felt that the way they spent their time was out of their control. One-third of the workaholic respondents indicated they planned to change their ways in the coming year.
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Consumer Protection
A recent Ipsos-Reid study showed nearly 50 per cent of Canadians feel businesses aren’t doing enough to protect their privacy. While the majority of respondents felt businesses should be obliged to disclose loss or theft of private information, 30 per cent of Canadians have taken matters into their own hands by altering their spending habits accordingly.
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Clever Clichés
Are you frustrated by the overuse of business clichés? Make a bold statement with a Business Jargon Protest item. A “Shift my paradigm before I’ve had my coffee and I’ll core your competencies” mug might send just the right message. But if your colleagues are still abuzz with annoying business jargon, try a more direct approach with a “Shh…I’m busy prioritizing mission critical integrated solutions” T-shirt. Order at www.cafepress.com/jokegifts.
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Vacation Deprived
According to the Ipsos-Reid/Expedia.ca Fifth Annual Vacation Deprivation survey, Canadians aren’t taking all of their allotted time off, leaving a total of 32 million unclaimed vacation days last year. British Columbians top the list of the vacation deprived, followed closely by Albertans. Younger workers (aged 18–34) are trading their time off for career advancement, and are more likely to feel guilty about taking time off (37 per cent) than their cohorts over 35 (24 per cent). Overall, 30 per cent of Canadians find it more stressful to take time off.
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