BCLMA | Site-Wide Activity https://bclma.org/activity/ Activity feed for the entire site. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:43:31 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v=10.6.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 3cff7c7eba37c6d3b8539636f2ab5dc4 Christine Edelmann replied to the topic Bereavement Leave Eligibility & Policies in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/bereavement-leave-eligibility-policies/#post-77019 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 23:48:30 -0700 We also do 3 days for local, 5 days when additional time is needed to travel.
For those included, we have any person the Employee considers a member of their family.

]]> 6564d808cd75e0a37d341333af8c1fd1 Cadence Konopaki replied to the topic Bereavement Leave Eligibility & Policies in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/bereavement-leave-eligibility-policies/#post-77016 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:24:09 -0700 Ours is similar to Leslie’s comment with the addition that it’s 3 days for local, 5 days for out of province.

]]> 4a6262becb72015b807b61a61be8fb50 Nicole Cristello Hearty replied to the topic Bereavement Leave Eligibility & Policies in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/bereavement-leave-eligibility-policies/#post-77015 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:11:15 -0700 We allow all full-time and part-time employees 5 days of leave with pay for a death of a family member or close loved one. We give the days for each leave, not per year. We also give 1 day of bereavement leave for the death of a pet.

]]> 8e03ec2f8deed113b4e92eb8c2fd584b Leslie Green replied to the topic Bereavement Leave Eligibility & Policies in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/bereavement-leave-eligibility-policies/#post-77014 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:03:48 -0700 All full-time employees are entitled to 3 days of paid bereavement leave for spouse/partners, sibling child, parent, grandparent, father & mother in-law, stepchild, stepfather, stepmother.

Employees may use personal days, vacation or unpaid time off for more extended family members, or for additional time off. Unpaid leave under ESA is also…Read more

]]> ccec7892edac137cf390677fa30ba08c Tahmineh Mohammadi started the topic Bereavement Leave Eligibility & Policies in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/bereavement-leave-eligibility-policies/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:03:40 -0700 Hi everyone,

I’m interested in learning how other firms approach bereavement leave.

Who is eligible for paid bereavement leave at your firm? Specifically, which family relationships are included (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, in-laws, etc.)? Do you also provide leave for the loss of…Read more

]]> 80cc9e7087c93ca8a10653511894a563 Kin Li's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33668/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:20:14 -0700 0 9cb32a0e86d7c876e22b9f84eb813e42 Rubyna Jinnah replied to the topic Staff Compensation Survey Changes in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/staff-compensation-survey-changes/#post-76984 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:55:21 -0700 This is great, thank you Leslie!

]]> 1f45a57634e92cb1f7399e150aa529ef Marie Haughian replied to the topic Staff Compensation Survey Changes in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/staff-compensation-survey-changes/#post-76944 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:53:47 -0700 Thanks so much, Leslie. That is very helpful to know!

]]> 96b9cc340f926be2ff1a8b226f2b46b0 Leslie Green started the topic Staff Compensation Survey Changes in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/staff-compensation-survey-changes/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:41:38 -0700 For those who may have missed the notice in the summer issue of TOPICS, the BCLMA is expanding access to the Administrative Salary Survey that will be performed later in the fall. Since all firms will now be able to participate in that survey, we are moving the Firm Administrator and Accounting Manager categories from the Staff Compensation…Read more

]]> d387b13cc7fba3cd20081749326d5b26 Stacey Poole replied to the topic Soluno - Nonbillable Time & Write Offs in the forum Finance Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/finance-subsection/forum/topic/soluno-nonbillable-time-write-offs/#post-76934 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:55:53 -0700 For non-billable time – we use “firm” task codes. E.g. “PD” professional development or “CD” client development. We have an extensive list.

For write offs we categorize these into either (1) “TR” time reductions to reduce the time unit e.g reducing 4 research hours to 2 to ensure value to the client or (2) “DT” discounts which reduces the total…Read more

]]> c51a4299fbe77ebc10ab2a2475480b68 Carly Beatty started the topic Soluno - Nonbillable Time & Write Offs in the forum Finance Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/finance-subsection/forum/topic/soluno-nonbillable-time-write-offs/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:28:25 -0700 For other firms using Soluno, could you please share how you are doing the following:

– tracking non-billable time, so it is not captured in hours worked;
– how you are writing down or writing off time;

Any insights or advice is appreciated!

]]> 65f9f8bcbbaa373c97dbd2cb9971a981 Michelle Yang's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33661/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:37:16 -0700 0 b92e3fdd04071a3a5423a7e7ead5fa05 Michelle Yang replied to the topic Mental Health Care Spending Account in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/mental-health-care-spending-account/#post-76931 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:36:12 -0700 At my previous firm, mid size, we had a HSA included in your benefits plan for ease of access.. for example: if you go to an RMT for $150 and our medical plan covers $120 of that visit, and you paid $30 out of pocket… you can submit it to the HSA to be reimbursed the $30. It’s $750 per year. the downside is that it is approved by the benefits…Read more

]]> 1a2618c463fb376b48243472a8b99ce8 Maria Howell replied to the topic Fabric/Upholstery Cleaner Recommendations in the forum Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/facilities-services-management-subsection/forum/topic/fabric-upholstery-cleaner-recommendations/#post-76929 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:50:20 -0700 Hi Simone, we use MFD Cleaning Services. They clean our carpets and furniture.

Martin Dolinski
Email: marty@mfdcleaning.com
Tel: (604) 862-7203

]]> 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Marketing https://bclma.org/activity/p/33657/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Litigation Technology & eDiscovery Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33656/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33655/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Knowledge Management Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33654/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33653/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Small Firms Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33652/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 1efc507e87b7c72ba93483a3e99261cb Michelle Yang joined the group Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33651/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:16:10 -0700 0 6cf02bda8b94f96eb9f80733a3ad724a Michelle Yang's profile was updated https://bclma.org/activity/p/33649/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:14:59 -0700 0 643abc3e1934f7c94b3725c9b430bf40 Jeff Pelletier replied to the topic Office Fruit Delivery in the forum Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/facilities-services-management-subsection/forum/topic/office-fruit-delivery/#post-76922 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:27:29 -0700 We’ve been using Natural Source https://www.naturalsourcesnacks.ca/ and have been very pleased with the service and quality of the fruit.

Cheers,
Jeff

]]> 243f5418033633aff16699521a62148d Simone Songer started the topic Fabric/Upholstery Cleaner Recommendations in the forum Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/facilities-services-management-subsection/forum/topic/fabric-upholstery-cleaner-recommendations/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 23:02:55 -0700 Hi all,

Please let me know if you have any recommendations for professional upholstery cleaners in/around downtown Vancouver, particularly for a mesh chair. Looks like a giant ink stain so will need someone who can handle heavy duty.

Thank you!

]]> 9ef378c3ffcbb0622b6f4dde2424110e Melissa Nichol replied to the topic Mental Health Care Spending Account in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/mental-health-care-spending-account/#post-76919 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:21:33 -0700 We provide $1500 under our extended health specifically for mental health practitioners plus the additional money they can use should they designate money into their HCSA (they have a choice between HCSA and a lifestyle spending account).

One suggestion that’s a bit different than what you’re asking: if employees are using their entire EAP…Read more

]]> fb5ffbcbd9206d5c52a4c80bfd40ea50 Sandra Lowe replied to the topic Office Fruit Delivery in the forum Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/facilities-services-management-subsection/forum/topic/office-fruit-delivery/#post-76918 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:00:25 -0700 Instacart would work but you would need to select each fruit item individually.

Good luck!

Sandra

]]> 32d2fad44235c5937bd1a58e1cd5afd0 Marissa Fyles replied to the topic Office Fruit Delivery in the forum Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/facilities-services-management-subsection/forum/topic/office-fruit-delivery/#post-76917 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:00:22 -0700 We get our fruit from Costco. The Business Centre allows you to select delivery dates so is much more convenient than standard Costco delivery. They have a good selection, and no quality issues.

]]> 8f3c410d9c5f78c36124723f210511a6 Michael Wild started the topic Office Fruit Delivery in the forum Facilities & Services Management Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/facilities-services-management-subsection/forum/topic/office-fruit-delivery/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:55:35 -0700 Wondering if anyone has a source for office fruit delivery. Used Spud and then Fruitfull and then back to Spud until Spud discontinued their large mixed fruit bins.
You can order a la carte from Spud but it’s prohibitively expensive. If you know of a source for the large mixed fruit bins, please let me know.

Thanks!
MW

]]> f49ec2a0bbe81cafcc4066cb88bd9cdb Cindy Hildebrandt replied to the topic Mental Health Care Spending Account in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/mental-health-care-spending-account/#post-76912 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:08:51 -0700 We have all those offerings and increased our benefit allowance to $1500 for all for mental health practitioners, as we saw an uptick in mental unwellness during COVID. We are not looking at decreasing this benefit.

]]> aecf01ef32922603c60854a1d58e49c9 Cadence Konopaki replied to the topic Mental Health Care Spending Account in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/mental-health-care-spending-account/#post-76911 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:07:04 -0700 We do not have a separate spending account for this but our general HCSA covers additional mental health costs.
Also, at our last benefit renewal we doubled our mental health coverage amount compared to other paramedical services.

]]> 1dda237450cfce2117fbfb3d60d7ef1f Aninder Sandhu replied to the topic Mental Health Care Spending Account in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/mental-health-care-spending-account/#post-76910 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:01:27 -0700 Our firm offers an extra $2000 for lawyers for a health account which is used for mental health services.

]]> 00d05b06807ae67849225e5b3df603de Heather Walker started the topic Mental Health Care Spending Account in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/mental-health-care-spending-account/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:22:13 -0700 Hello,

I am interested to know how many firms are providing a separate Mental Health Care Spending Account in addition to Extended Benefits and EAP services? if you are providing this, are you using a separate company or is this provided by your benefits provider?

Our extended benefits have some Psychologist coverage and we provide a HCSA for…Read more

]]> 4f1ec9e23237fc4e6030d7628e67ad55 Leslie Green replied to the topic FoxiIt PDF Editor + in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/foxiit-pdf-editor/#post-76889 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:22:23 -0700 I like Foxit. I find it very user-friendly, but there are the carve outs for LTSO and some litigation needs. Some users feel that the redaction does not work as well in Foxit, but I’ve not experienced it.

]]> c65fcbf440f4f496e3aceb59536978a3 Greg Holubowicz replied to the topic FoxiIt PDF Editor + in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/foxiit-pdf-editor/#post-76887 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:03:39 -0700 We still can’t get away from Acrobat for everyone but for most people.

The paralegals that deal with Court of Appeal still have Acrobat as it does a superior job of only OCRing pages that are missing OCR.
We’ve selected 2 lawyers and 2 paralegals on the solicitor side that deal with Land title office to have Acrobat as there is still one form…Read more

]]> 4173e58c3845cd815664061925429fff Karen Vandervoort replied to the topic Short-term Medical Leave in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/short-term-medical-leave/#post-76886 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:28:35 -0700 We don’t have a STD plan. We would allow staff to use all sick time/banked OT for a short-term absence and would discuss use of vacation time or time off without pay if needed – We do not normally provide a top up. If they are going to be away longer than a few weeks, I will issue an ROE so they can apply for EI sickness benefits. Each…Read more

]]> aebf73520e024a8ba3b1f3561712b4cf Barb Blouin replied to the topic FoxiIt PDF Editor + in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/foxiit-pdf-editor/#post-76885 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:17:31 -0700 Yes, we do here at Boughton Law. We only have a few people running Acrobat but the majority have and use Foxit.

]]> 32a02e0552654a5a2ac24d8178ab484a Mark Bruehler started the topic FoxiIt PDF Editor + in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/foxiit-pdf-editor/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:36:18 -0700 I am looking to see if anyone is using FoxIt instead of Adobe. Seems to do all that is needed for a lot less than Adobe costs

]]> 4efca0f9b1153df83f9ae5229c318cb4 Leslie Green replied to the topic Short-term Medical Leave in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/short-term-medical-leave/#post-76883 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:33:35 -0700 For short-term absences I agree with Ruby. Staff can use a combination of sick, vacation and unpaid time off. I will issue an ROE is they exceed the benefits available or request one.

At previous firms I have registered for sick leave top-up for EI. Note that, unlike mat. leave top-up, you have to register for this program, and it has to…Read more

]]> 2d426a315641bb08df7ed3da622b0bde Zarah Hofer replied to the topic Short-term Medical Leave in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/short-term-medical-leave/#post-76882 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:29:57 -0700 Hi Lisa,
Before we had a STD plan, and also as part of our current plan, we signed up for a SUB plan with the government. It ensures that you can top up any EI benefits based on what you want to top up, similar to a parental leave, but for sick benefits. You do have to submit a short application form, but I think it’s worth doing to support…Read more

]]> 187a69a64cb1a3b0aa5b56ecde2c57ab Rubyna Jinnah replied to the topic Short-term Medical Leave in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/short-term-medical-leave/#post-76881 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:26:06 -0700 In situations where STD isn’t part of the benefits package, one approach is to issue an ROE for medical reasons so the employee can access EI sickness benefits.
Beyond that, whether to top up EI or continue salary during the absence tends to be a firm-specific decision based on budget, culture, and risk tolerance. Some organizations also require a…Read more

]]> 29bd6c3e0587f3409c59891e3651251c Lisa Andersen started the topic Short-term Medical Leave in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/short-term-medical-leave/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:21:25 -0700 For firms that do not offer short-term disability benefits as part of their benefits package, how do you handle short-term medical leave for staff (2-3 weeks for a required surgery)? Do you require that the employee use vacation and sick days? Is it unpaid after that? Do you top up EI sickness benefits? Or are you essentially self-insuring…Read more

]]> a10f7b854069387e63997ca44f0a04d5 Zainab Yusuff joined the group Learning & Development Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33629/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:27:38 -0700 0 248891eae39f912c636676ef35ee007f Jennifer Barnard started the topic AI - note taking for meetings in the forum Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/information-technology-subsection/forum/topic/ai-note-taking-for-meetings/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:28:02 -0700 Has anyone implemented an AI note taking app for client meetings? We’re looking at a few options, but I’m curious if anyone has found one that they like and that also meets the Law Society requirements.

I’m also open to hearing about other AI programs that you’ve found that have improved processes, if you’re willing to share.

Thanks!

]]> 04cbdc1a38c2f856841442acf69450cd Maria Howell replied to the topic Boxing Day 2026 in the forum Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/groups/human-resources-subsection/forum/topic/boxing-day-2026/#post-76869 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:17:30 -0700 We will be closed on December 28, in lieu of Boxing Day.

]]> 51a4d24f7776b4f4ba31780aa71af4fa Linda Lam joined the group Marketing https://bclma.org/activity/p/33625/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:39:03 -0700 0 51a4d24f7776b4f4ba31780aa71af4fa Linda Lam joined the group Litigation Technology & eDiscovery Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33624/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:39:03 -0700 0 51a4d24f7776b4f4ba31780aa71af4fa Linda Lam joined the group Information Technology Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33623/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:39:03 -0700 0 51a4d24f7776b4f4ba31780aa71af4fa Linda Lam joined the group Knowledge Management Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33622/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:39:03 -0700 0 51a4d24f7776b4f4ba31780aa71af4fa Linda Lam joined the group Human Resources Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33621/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:39:03 -0700 0 51a4d24f7776b4f4ba31780aa71af4fa Linda Lam joined the group Small Firms Subsection https://bclma.org/activity/p/33620/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:39:03 -0700 0