- A four-day work week? (REBROADCAST)
Wednesday, December 29th 2021
We are taking a short break over the holidays and are rebroadcasting some memorable discussions. This episode was originally published July 30, 2021.
GUEST: Professor Jean-Nicolas Reyt, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour at McGill University
A recent study in Iceland involving thousands of workers has brought back the buzz around a shorter four-day work week. As the pandemic has accelerated the movement to work smarter and not longer, we explore the tantalizing possibilities — and potential problems — with a four-day work week in North America.
- How sportsmanship brought two nations and the lacrosse world closer (REBROADCAST)
Tuesday, December 28th 2021
We are taking a short break over the holidays and are rebroadcasting some memorable discussions. This episode was originally published January 12, 2021.
The Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team are ranked as one of the top teams in the world, but were passed over for the upcoming World Games likely in part due to their fight for sovereignty. This slight inspired an act of sportsmanship that has helped bring two nations closer together. Rex Lyons is a former player and board member of the Iroquois Nationals, and he joins “This Matters” to explain this remarkable sports story.
- Why you miss (and need) casual friendships (REBROADCAST)
Monday, December 27th 2021
We are taking a short break over the holidays and are rebroadcasting some memorable discussions. This episode was originally published February 9, 2021.
The pandemic has shrunk people’s lives. We’ve been limited to seeing the people in our homes, some family and maybe close friends. What happens when lose contact with acquaintances and serendipitous interactions in the world? The loss of this engagement and relationships can have a detrimental effect on our lives. Amanda Mull, staff writer for “The Atlantic,” wrote an article about this and joins “This Matters” to discuss.
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- Should the end of Ontario’s liquor server wage mean lower tips for restaurant workers?
Friday, December 24th 2021
Guest: Rosa Saba, business reporter for the Star
Ontario, unlike elsewhere in Canada, has had a much lower minimum wage for liquor servers leading to a culture of tipping, not just for great service but to help balance the wage disparity. Now, starting in 2022, front-of-house workers in hospitality will see a $2.45 hourly pay increase to align closer to the minimum wage. But Ontario’s minimum wage is still far from the $20 per hour living wage needed, according to the Living Wage Network. So, should we keep tipping? What will happen to our “culture” to tip? Business reporter Rosa Saba has some tips for “This Matters” listeners.
- Nurses are leaving the profession in worrying numbers
Thursday, December 23rd 2021
Guest: Patty Winsa, data reporter for the Star
We have all seen the huge price that front-line workers have paid during COVID-19. Nurses have been at the forefront of this battle in clinics, hospitals and long-term care homes. Nearly two years into the pandemic, nurses are now leaving the profession in worrying numbers. While COVID-19 has added to burnout and pushed nurses off the job, the shortage has actually been inching its way into hospitals across Ontario and Canada for years. Data reporter Patty Winsa explains how bad the current nursing shortage is and why it is happening.
