Latest news in Disability management

The impact of RA in the workplace

The impact of RA in the workplace

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) strikes only about 1% of the population. That percentage, however, translates to almost 30,000 cases in British Columbia alone last year, making…

Managing disability one case at a time

Managing disability one case at a time

In accommodating an employee with a physical and/or mental disability in the workplace, the employer must follow a number of guidelines, but these should be…

The point of return

The point of return

From a financial and workplace perspective, most employers understand the need to manage casual absence and disability claims properly—but the devil of disability management is…

Benefits Canada’s top five disability management  stories of 2009

Benefits Canada’s top five disability management stories of 2009

1 The RDSP has its own abilities and disabilities HR Managers should do their homework on the new Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) before discussing…

  • By: Staff
  • December 23, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

The elephant in the room: managing disability

The prognostications of how long this economic downturn will last are as varied as the number of economists who have dared to venture a guess,…

The RDSP has its own abilities and disabilities

The RDSP has its own abilities and disabilities

HR Managers should do their homework on the new Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) before discussing RRSPs and TFSAs with disabled employees. Otherwise they may…

Return to work in progress

Return to work in progress

Employers today are facing tough business decisions relating to their benefits plans driven by the difficult economic environment. In particular, they may need to consider…

Short-term strategies

When it comes to dealing with short-term disability, employers may have more options available than they think. A company’s goal is to generate revenues that…

  • By: Dan Napier
  • March 1, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00
Disability income security programs require harmonization

Disability income security programs require harmonization

Canadian income security benefit programs are fragmented and disorganized and have resulted in disparate delivery of benefits to workers with disabilities, according to a study.…

  • By: Jody White
  • September 9, 2008 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Disabled disability plans

The design of most long-term disability plans can best be described as “too little too late,” leaving employees in an unfortunate but predictable situation. Group…

  • By: Dan Napier
  • August 1, 2008 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Restoring balance to the accommodation analysis

Following on the heels of its recent decisions in McGill University Health Centre and Honda Canada Inc. v. Keays, the Supreme Court of Canada has…

SCC decision is good news for employers

SCC decision is good news for employers

The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in Keays v. Honda Canada appears to be the continuation of a shift toward a more moderate judicial…

Advancing disability management

As disability management becomes more complex, plan sponsors should consider a global approach to preventing absence and returning ill or injured employees to the workplace…

Honda looks to Supreme Court in discrimination case

Honda looks to Supreme Court in discrimination case

Honda Canada was before the Supreme Court last week in an effort to have an Ontario Court’s landmark ruling of discrimination against a former employee…

  • By: Jody White
  • February 26, 2008 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Reading between the lines

Delving deeper into disability management issues can help employers reduce costs and employees overcome barriers that may prevent their return to work. Most employers understand…

Disability in the courts

When managing disability in the workplace, employers should know both the legal considerations and their rights. Disability management is an increasingly complex process. When faced…

Manulife awarded Canada Post contract

Manulife awarded Canada Post contract

Manulife Financial has been contracted by Canada Post to implement its absence solution product for their national disability management program. It represents the largest sale…

The importance of assessing distress when ending a plan member’s benefits

The importance of assessing distress when ending a plan member’s benefits

It’s important for insurers and plan sponsors to address the possibility of mental distress before curtailing any type of benefits from a plan member. In…

A human touch

Fifteen to 20 years ago, the approach to managing disability claims was a little like an assembly line. Employers handed over a claim to insurers…

Employee absences costly for employers

Employee absences costly for employers

Disability absence costs due to injury or illness could cost companies with 1,000 workers more than $3 million a year, according to a survey by…

The cost of depression in the workplace

The cost of depression in the workplace

If an employee needs to take time off for chemotherapy sessions, an employer is usually obliging. But what happens if an employee is diagnosed with…

Will you still need me?

The recent elimination of mandatory retirement in Ontario has prompted some (but not all) organizations with Ontario-based employees to consider the benefits they will extend…

  • By: Tim Clarke
  • January 19, 2007 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00
Watson Wyatt gives workplace trend forecast

Watson Wyatt gives workplace trend forecast

Pension plans will continue investing in alternative assets and governments will slowly shift some of the financial burden of healthcare to employers, according to a…

Tips on accomodating disabled employees

Tips for accommodating employees with disabilities

Employers can’t have a one size fits all approach for treating employees with a disability, said Connie Reeve, a partner with Blake, Cassels & Graydon…

Juggling act

It’s not surprising for Sylvain Carrier to hear that one of his plan members is in Mexico with her spine bent so severely that the…