Latest news in Health benefits

Sodexo launches global benefits program including parental leave, life insurance

Sodexo Group is supporting its multinational workforce with parental and care leave, life insurance and an employee assistance phone line. The food services company will…

  • By: Staff
  • March 2, 2023 March 1, 2023
  • 09:00
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Report finds Ontario portable health benefits plan likely to cost between $3.2-$4.5BN

A portable health benefits plan is a feasible, affordable and sustainable way to improve access to essential supplemental health and dental benefits for millions of…

  • By: Staff
  • March 2, 2023 March 1, 2023
  • 09:00

MVF supporting employees’ financial wellness needs through new cost-of-living benefit

MVF is supporting its multinational workforce amid rising inflation with a new cost-of-living benefit. The U.K.-based marketing company introduced the new benefit last October, after…

Coverage of the 2023 Chronic Disease at Work conference

For almost 10 years, Benefits Canada’s Chronic Disease at Work conference has examined the current trends in chronic disease in Canada and what they mean for plan…

Proactive, customized health and wellness strategies must consider pandemic impacts

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, employers will likely start to see more chronic diseases in their employee population and should consider proactive strategies…

What employers need to know about alopecia areata

In just three months, Jennifer Krahn’s life completely changed. The vivacious and confident ex-athlete and biology teacher began her journey with alopecia areata when she…

A look at the impact of shingles in the workplace

In 2021, Marcy came into Pavithra Ravinatarajan’s pharmacy with a handful of blisters on her face, which she thought was the result of a new…

How employers can support plan members with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, which tends to strike at the height of people’s working years, can have a significant impact on their productivity at work, as well…

Return-to-work strategies, open communication help alleviate employee stress, anxiety

While the World Health Organization defines stress as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain, simply put, it’s the body’s response…

Evidence-based treatments key to effective obesity management

We live in an information ecosystem — especially when talking about obesity — that’s full of misinformation, fads and gimmicks, said Ian Patton, director of…

Supporting employees with chronic, complex conditions helps manage benefits costs

When it comes to chronic conditions, there’s a difference in understanding and appreciating — “and this difference goes a long way in helping employers navigate their…

Addressing substance use as a health concern, not a performance issue

Stigmatization is a pervasive issue for people living with a substance-use disorder, said Anthony Esposti, chief executive officer at the Community Addictions Peer Support Association,…

How employers can support employees with psoriatic conditions

In 2021, more than 50 per cent of people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis said their condition has had a negative impact at work, according…

  • By: Sadie Janes
  • February 21, 2023 February 21, 2023
  • 09:00
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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on how employers can close the pension gap among BIPOC employees was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are…

  • By: Staff
  • February 17, 2023 February 16, 2023
  • 09:00

Former NFL players suing league for denied disability claims

Ten former National Football League players have filed a class action lawsuit against the organization, claiming their disability claims were denied. In the filing, the…

  • By: Staff
  • February 16, 2023 February 15, 2023
  • 09:00
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Green Shield acquires Quebec-based EAP provider

Green Shield Holdings Inc. is acquiring Quebec-based employee assistance program provider BCH Consultants. The acquisition will add 700 Quebec-based clinicians to Green Shield’s existing network,…

  • By: Staff
  • February 16, 2023 February 17, 2023
  • 09:00

Ontario biosimilars policy could cut drug costs for plan sponsors: expert

Changes to Ontario’s policy on the use of biosimilars in its public drug plan could result in savings for private benefits plans if they choose…

  • By: Blake Wolfe
  • February 16, 2023 February 15, 2023
  • 09:00

Delta launching emergency savings program for U.S. employees

Delta Air Lines Inc. is launching an emergency savings program for U.S. employees. Once employees sign up for the program, they participate in roughly two…

  • By: Staff
  • February 15, 2023 February 15, 2023
  • 09:00

Majority of U.S. employers plan to change health benefits provider over next two years: survey

The majority (88 per cent) of U.S. employers say they plan to change their health benefits provider over the next two years, according to a new…

  • By: Staff
  • February 14, 2023 February 14, 2023
  • 15:00

40% of U.S. employers offered fertility benefits in 2022, up from 30% in 2020: survey

Two-fifths (40 per cent) of U.S. organizations currently offer fertility benefits, up from 30 per cent in 2020, according to a survey by the International Foundation…

  • By: Staff
  • February 14, 2023 February 9, 2023
  • 09:00

86% of U.S. HR professionals worry about current economy’s impact on workers: survey

The vast majority (86 per cent) of U.S. human resources professionals say they’re concerned about the current economic environment’s impact on employees’ mental and financial…

  • By: Staff
  • February 10, 2023 February 9, 2023
  • 09:00
Editorial

Editorial: What’s next for improving workplace mental-health support?

Nearly three years have passed since the coronavirus pandemic became a household name. In some ways, March 11, 2020 — the day the World Health…

Head to head: Should employers increase mental-health coverage or expand the types of health-care professionals in their benefits plans?

Two Canadian employers explain why it’s important to implement a combination of higher coverage and a variety of practitioners under their plans. Elaine Cheung, director…

How 5 employers are ensuring mental health remains a priority

Even though the pandemic phase of the coronavirus crisis may be waning, two winners and three finalists in the 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards’ mental-health categories…