“I would encourage it just for the peace of mind it gives you as a leader, knowing that you’re looked after and you have all best practices and all relevant policies in place

Alberta-based Some Other Solutions is a crisis prevention society. For more than 34 years now, SOS has been providing professional counselling and mentoring programs for children, youth, and families in northern Alberta. It also runs a 24/7 crisis line.  

Some Other Solutions has been a Peninsula client since April 2021.  

The organization felt the need for professional HR support while working through a complex HR issue involving an employee.  

“I needed some expertise,” says Jason King, executive director, Some Other Solutions. “There are not a lot of lawyers here [in Fort McMurray] well versed in employment standards. I was being referred to lawyers based in Edmonton,” says King, who heads a team of 11 employees.  

It was around this time that King heard about Peninsula. “Because of the advice they gave and the methodical approach they took to deal with this concern, it brought a lot of comfort. They really worked with me every step of the way,” he says. “I was like, yeah! I need these people on board.”  

“As a non-profit, we cannot afford to have a team of lawyers and HR professionals. This was the best way to do it,” King says. 

SOS was also looking to enhance themselves operationally.  

“I wanted to have our employment contracts updated to leave no room for assumptions that could leave us open to liabilities. We had an outdated OHS policy. I wanted to ensure we were compliant with OHS regulations and had protocols in place,” says King.  

King says Peninsula helped them develop clear, well-written and high-quality policies and contracts. “They did a complete overhaul on our employee handbook. We have a new one now that is compliant with all legislation. They’ve given us an OHS book as well with all relevant policies.” 

One of the biggest benefits of signing up with Peninsula, King says, has been the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they are compliant with provincial legislation and up to date with all government-mandated health and safety standards.  

“It gives us peace of mind to know that we are compliant and that we have the best practices in place,” says King. 

COVID-19 

King says Peninsula’s assistance during the pandemic has helped him become aware of how to set up the office so that it is safe and in compliance with health regulations.  

“They [Peninsula] give all the material,” he says. “Even posters that need to be put around the office.”  

“Peninsula also gave us a great remote work policy,” says King. “It clearly outlines what needs to be done when your employees are working remotely.”  

Peninsula goes a step further and even provides e-learning, says King. “So, I now have a lot of e-learning pertaining to COVID-19 and the vaccines, and healthy workspaces,” he says. “It has brought a lot of comfort to me and to my team. Now they know they are working in a space that has taken all measures so that health and safety is adhered to.” 

BrightHR 

King says he also enjoys using the BrightHR app, an exclusive online HR management software available to Peninsula clients.  

“I like that BrightHR and BrightSafe (Peninsula’s online health & safety management software) are available on an app and as web versions. You can upload and share all your documents and policies with your staff through BrightHR. You can also update staff files with any training that your staff takes,” he says.