George V. Kairys

George V. Kairys MA, MBA1-35th Street, Suite 100Etobicoke, ON M8V 3V9T: 416-252-7828F: 416-252-8854

George V. Kairys MA, MBAEmployer's Benefit Group1-35th Street, Suite 100Etobicoke, ON M8V 3V9T: 416-252-7828F: 416-252-8854

In reaction to the budget, MBOT Chair, George Kairys says it is a "blueprint towards building a solid foundation for a competitive and prosperous Canadian economy.

George Kairys

Vice Chair

George Kairys, president of The Employer's Benefit Group in Toronto, spearheaded the initiative in Ottawa.With the help of the Ottawa Hoteliers de l'Outaouais, Kairys believes the participation rate will be strong.Ten hotel representatives showed up to the first meeting including The Westin Ottawa, Ottawa Marriott, Courtyard Marriott Ottawa, Fairmont Château Laurier, Albert at Bay Suite Hotel and the Delta Ottawa Hotel & Suites.With 12 hotels signed up so far, the deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.

Dick Brown, executive director of the Ottawa Hoteliers de l'Outaouais, was contacted by Kairys in late fall recommending to set up the Ottawa hotel chapter.
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According to Kairys, this chapter is for the management of health and safety programs."The safety group is a structure and it's set up to facilitate pure sharing and pure training.Peer sharing is a very important element of this (initiative) and it makes it very cost-effective (for participants)," says Kairys.

Return-to-work issues and compliance issues are the top safety concerns in the hotel industry, he says."Hospitality is very labour intensive. (Employees) in the housekeeping and laundry areas incur soft tissue injuries and repetitive strain injuries."Compliance matters fall under due diligence and includes policies, procedures and accident investigations.

An emerging safety issue in the hotel industry is security for employees against irate customers."It's not only the airlines that face air rage ... but it hasn't come onto the official's radar yet because there haven't been any fatalities or serious injuries as a result," says Kairys.

The WSIB oversees Ontario's workplace safety education and training system, provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care and assists in early and safe return to work.

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