$4.2M property sold in Canmore, Alta., realtor says many drawn in by remote work
A Canmore realtor says a multi-million dollar home that recently changed hands is signalling a real shift in where employees want to live as remote work continues but as the province reopens, many businesses could be calling back their staff.
Karen Fawcett, with RE/MAX Professionals, says the property sold for $4.2 million, making it one of the highest-priced homes to be sold in the town over the past 10 years.
The luxury home is just one of the property that's recently sparked an "exponential growth" in the Canmore market, she says.
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board's May housing statistics, Canmore experienced a 188 per cent increase in year-over-year sales.
The benchmark price of a home in the community also jumped by 18.5 per cent from May 2020 to $897,400.
One of the driving forces of that increase in sales is the flexibility of working from home offered by a number of employers.
"While I have fielded national and international calls regarding properties in Canmore, the greatest interest continues to be buyers from Alberta, and most specifically Calgary due to the close proximity," Fawcett said.
"Many of my clients have chosen to sell their Calgary homes to move full-time to Canmore with the flexibility of working from home now a precedent not previously enjoyed by full-time employees."
RETURN TO WORK POLICIES NEEDED: HR FIRM
However, as the province is reopening, workers may be called back into the office and that could result in many businesses needing to come up with strategies to ease that transition.
"It is possible that not all workers will be on board," says Andrew Caldwell, advisory team lead with HR consultant Peninsula Canada. "Some will have gotten used to working remotely and not having to commute, while others may be concerned about coming back to the workplace for safety reasons."
Employees do have rights to refuse work, he says, but there is a process to investigate claims and that includes a responsibility for the employer to "mitigate the hazards."
If workers are still not satisfied with the situation, then the province's Occupational Health and Safety agency can become involved.
"An inspector will then be sent to the workplace to evaluate the hazards. They may either order the employee back to work or point out what the employer needs to do to make the workplace safer," Caldwell says.
However, there are situations where remote work should be considered as an option for certain employees. Those include workers who possess disabilities or conditions that could make them susceptible to COVID-19 infection.
"Accommodations might include allowing the employee to continue working remotely or implementing additional measures to further protect them, such as giving them a separate workstation or work that won’t bring them into contact with others."
This stock image shows a man working remotely. (Pexels)
'TRANSPARENT AND COMPASSIONATE'
Caldwell says that businesses will need to prepare themselves for any kind of resentment or "low morale" that could result from employees needing to shift back into the office.
He suggests employers provide as much support as possible to workers. For example, those who need to have extra time to arrange for childcare or caregiving responsibilities should be directed on how to apply for appropriate leave entitlements and access vacation time.
"To prevent and resolve this feeling among staff, employers should be transparent and compassionate," he says.
"Explaining why going back to in-person work is necessary for the business, and why some staff might continue working remotely while others go back can help employees understand the reasoning behind this change."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.