CFIB Launches Wellness Initiative

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is launching ‘Workplace Wellness,’ an online initiative that provides business owners with resources and tools to support wellness in their business. The online hub, developed in partnership with Nexim Canada (PrimaSure), includes free articles, webinars, printable posters, and templates, including templates to create a disconnecting from work policy and respectful workplace guidelines. "The pandemic forced small business owners to carry a lot of additional stress on their shoulders. Even though we hope to be on the other side of the pandemic, the majority are still feeling stressed and uncertain about the future. At the same time, we are hearing from our members that mental health concerns have also increased for employees and that broaching this topic is not always easy," says Corinne Pohlmann, senior vice-president of national affairs at CFIB. A recent survey found 78 per cent of small business owners are still dealing with pandemic stress. At a time when small business owners' biggest growth constraint is finding and keeping staff, focusing on wellness can help with retention for employees who may be on the verge of burnout or quitting. CFIB research shows 31 per cent of small business owners have increased the availability of mental health resources and/or information for their employees since the start of the