Q&A with Canadian Bank Note Company’s Michelle Kostiuk

A: I’m really excited about a new women’s health initiative we’re going to be piloting with one of our providers. Historically, medical training has been predominantly geared towards men, often overlooking the unique health needs of women. This initiative aims to bridge that gap by providing comprehensive resources and support tailored specifically for women. Women’s health is distinct and multifaceted, encompassing areas such as reproductive health, hormonal changes and conditions that disproportionately affect women, like osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases.

Read: Organon launching initiative to support women’s career, health journey in the workplace

By prioritizing women’s health, we’re committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable health-care environment. This initiative will not only enhance the well-being of our female employees but also set a precedent for the industry, highlighting the importance of gender-specific health care. We believe that by addressing these unique health concerns, we can improve overall health outcomes and empower women to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Q: How do you judge the success of a program or initiative?

A: We collaborate closely with our benefits consulting company, which supplies us with valuable data on our programs, industry trends and competitive practices of local companies. Most importantly, my team is actively engaged with our employees, listening to their feedback and needs.

Q: What programs do you consider most successful or that you’re most proud of?

A: In Canada, our team introduced a ground-breaking fertility, surrogacy and adoption benefit that pushed the boundaries of what our benefits provider could implement. We thrive on innovation, even when it presents administrative challenges. Simultaneously, we enhanced our offerings with a comprehensive top-up parental leave program for both birthing and non-birthing parents. There’s nothing more rewarding than receiving heartfelt thanks from employees for enabling them to grow their families.

Read: 42% of global employees say lack of employer-provided fertility benefits is a ‘deal breaker:’ survey

Q: What top challenges do you face in your role?

A: It’s a common challenge in our field: balancing the provision of benefits and support that our employees desire and need, while also being fiscally responsible to meet the organization’s financial goals.

Q: What key HR or total rewards issues do you expect this year?

A: GLP-1 drugs have certainly caught my attention and it’s hard to miss their frequent commercials on cable TV. Managing these medications will be a challenge, but our priority is ensuring our employees’ health. Effective weight management is crucial for preventing diabetes, cardiovascular issues and supporting mental wellness. However, we must also balance this with fiscal responsibility, aiming to provide the most beneficial and cost-efficient benefits possible.

Read: How benefits plan sponsors, insurers are managing newer — and effective — GLP-1 medications

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

A: It’s no surprise that health and fitness play a significant role in my life. I’ve been dedicated to weight training for many years and am an enthusiastic walker. I believe that walking or daily movement is essential for longevity. Additionally, my creative outlet is crafting Ukrainian pysanky, beautifully decorated eggs.

Q: What’s your favourite employee benefit and why?

A: We offer a meditation app to all employees, which they can extend to up to five family members. This benefit is cost-effective and highly appreciated, with excellent sign-up and usage rates. We’ve also made it available to employees outside of Canada. As a daily user of the app, I strongly advocate for incorporating mindfulness into every aspect of life.

Jennifer Paterson is the editor of Benefits Canada and the Canadian Investment Review.