Latest news in Health benefits

U.S. employer health-care costs could rise 7% with coronavirus testing, treatment

U.S. employer health-care costs could rise 7% with coronavirus testing, treatment

As U.S. employers look to keep their workers safe and healthy in the face of the global pandemic, they could see their health-care benefits costs…

  • By: Staff
  • March 27, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:30
Conference coverage: 2020 Employers Cancer Care Summit

Conference coverage: 2020 Employers Cancer Care Summit

On March 3, the 2020 Employers Cancer Care Summit featured sessions on cancer-related issues and opportunities tied to benefits plans and the workplace. Many perspectives required when…

Many perspectives required when covering cancer drugs on benefits plans

Many perspectives required when covering cancer drugs on benefits plans

While treatment options for cancer are more than they used to be, many still aren’t covered under the public health-care system, according to Tim Clarke, president…

Immunotherapy innovations beneficial in kidney cancer treatment

Immunotherapy innovations beneficial in kidney cancer treatment

While kidney cancer is uncommon in patients younger than age 45, there’s an increasing incidence in diagnosis in young people because of the advent of imaging…

Flexible return-to-work policies crucial for cancer survivors

Flexible return-to-work policies crucial for cancer survivors

By the year 2031, 2.2 million Canadians will be living with cancer, with 40 per cent between the ages of 20 and 65 — the…

Fidelity Canada touts preventative, life-sustaining benefits plans

Fidelity Canada touts preventative, life-sustaining benefits plans

When it comes to benefits plan management, each case is individual, said Diana Godfrey, senior vice-president of human resources and corporate at Fidelity Canada, during…

Ignoring psychosocial oncology can be costly for organizations

Ignoring psychosocial oncology can be costly for organizations

When a person experiences a cancer diagnosis and undergoes treatment, it can be one of the most distressing experiences they can go through, so it’s…

Effective wellness programs must take science-based approach to motivating employees

Effective wellness programs must take science-based approach to motivating employees

Employers that want to see their wellness programs pay dividends need to develop a strategy that’s rooted in behavioural science. “This idea of ticking a…

Webinar: Coronavirus: What do employers need to know?

Webinar: Coronavirus: What do employers need to know?

With the coronavirus pandemic rapidly evolving, the global employment landscape is facing unprecedented challenges. Looking at short-term disability programs, benefits plans, human resources policies and…

Selection Group launches virtual care for staff during coronavirus

Selection Group launches virtual care for staff during coronavirus

Quebec retirement complex developer Selection Group is giving its employees and residents free access to a virtual care app during the coronavirus crisis and for…

Employer responsibilities around benefits, pension provision during coronavirus

Employer responsibilities around benefits, pension provision during coronavirus

As many employers are forced to temporarily lay off employees due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, what does that mean for the provision…

Sounding Board: When is coronavirus considered work-related?

Sounding Board: When is coronavirus considered work-related?

With the World Health Organization declaring the novel coronavirus a pandemic, Canadian employers should prepare for the worst and plan how to respond to various…

How to support employees’ mental health during coronavirus

As employers across the globe adjust their work environments to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus, one thing that shouldn’t get lost in…

Some large retailers maintaining pay, benefits for store staff amid temporary closures

Some large retailers maintaining pay, benefits for store staff amid temporary closures

While many retailers are maintaining pay and benefits for their store-based staff amid temporary closures caused by the coronavirus crisis, what about employees who are…

  • By: Staff
  • March 23, 2020 October 14, 2021
  • 09:00
70% of employees satisfied with employer communications around coronavirus: survey

70% of employees satisfied with employer communications around coronavirus: survey

Employees are mostly satisfied with employers’ communications around the coronavirus crisis, according to a new survey by Fierce Inc. The survey polled more than 1,000…

  • By: Staff
  • March 20, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 09:15
Editorial

Editorial: The tooth about dental benefits

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been relentlessly pestered by my dentist’s office. I’ve lost track of the frequency of texts, emails and phone…

Head to head: Is telemedicine the right route to employee health care?

Head to head: Is telemedicine the right route to employee health care?

Dr. Jennifer Wild, consultant clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Oxford When we’re feeling ill, we want to be seen quickly by…

How Rocky Mountain Soap supports staff with fitness classes

An important part of a workplace wellness program is supporting employees’ physical fitness, but Rocky Mountain Soap Co. isn’t just encouraging its employees to be…

2020 Drug Plan Trends Report: Developments, data and design

2020 Drug Plan Trends Report: Developments, data and design

Taking a look at private drug plans in 2020, a number of trends are converging: spending on specialty drugs is continuing its upward trajectory, advancements…

What dental benefits topics should plan sponsors be considering?

What dental benefits topics should plan sponsors be considering?

With prescription drugs and paramedical benefits taking up an increasingly large portion of employers’ benefits spend, dental benefits often avoid the spotlight. But consultants and…

How employers can help staff take care of aging parents

How employers can help staff take care of aging parents

Nola Miller remembers the day she received 19 calls from her mother at work. As a group home co-ordinator for Winnipeg Child and Family Services,…

Q&A with IBM Canada’s Katherine Faichnie

IBM Canada Ltd.’s director of HR talks data and analytics, holistic employee health and playing the piano Q. What top challenges do you face in…

Starbucks serving up free mental-health benefits to U.S. staff

Starbucks serving up free mental-health benefits to U.S. staff

Starbucks Coffee Co. is offering eligible employees in the U.S. access to 20 free mental-health sessions per year beginning April 6. Through provider Lyra Health…

  • By: Staff
  • March 19, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
U.S. employers maintaining health benefits, considering other cost-cutting measures: survey

Coronavirus pandemic means ‘new normal’ for employers, employees

All Canadian employers should assume at least one employee will test positive for the coronavirus, said Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, medical director at virtual health-care company…

Feds introduce $82 billion in coronavirus emergency support for workers, businesses

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an $82 billion stimulus package to underpin several new policies aimed at supporting Canadian workers and employers during the coronavirus…