Latest news in Health/wellness

Concerns raised about high rates of antidepressant prescriptions

Concerns raised about high rates of antidepressant prescriptions

Armed with statistics and studies, Peter Gove, innovation leader for health management at Green Shield Canada, spoke at the recent Mental Health Summit in Vancouver…

The promises and perils of personalized medicine and antidepressants

The promises and perils of personalized medicine and antidepressants

While there’s a lot of talk about how personalized medicine and biomarkers could improve treatment for people with a range of diseases, the technology isn’t…

Five workplace wellness trends for 2017

Five workplace wellness trends for 2017

The world of health and wellness is always changing and the coming new year is no exception. As more employers accept the reality that productivity…

Top 10 health and benefits stories of 2016

Top 10 health and benefits stories of 2016

There was a lot to talk about in the health and benefits space in 2016, from the continuing climb of drug plan costs, questions around…

  • By: Staff
  • December 28, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:54
Continue employee benefit tax exemption, health associations urge

Continue employee benefit tax exemption, health associations urge

Groups representing nine health-care professions are urging the federal government to reconsider axing the employer-sponsored health-care tax exemption. Removing the exemption would discourage employers from offering…

  • By: Staff
  • December 23, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:11
BASF enhances compassionate care, bereavement policies

BASF enhances compassionate care, bereavement policies

BASF Canada Inc. is enhancing its compassionate and bereavement policies for about 550 non-unionized employees across Canada. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the chemicals company will…

Mercer Canada appoints new total health management leader

Mercer Canada appoints new total health management leader

Mercer Canada has appointed Alex Boucher as total health management leader for Canada. Based in the organization’s Halifax officer, Boucher joins Mercer with nearly 20…

  • By: Staff
  • December 16, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:39
Sun Life launches paramedical provider ratings system

Sun Life launches paramedical provider ratings system

Sun Life has launched a national health-care provider ratings network for chiropractors, massage therapists, psychologists and other paramedical providers. Under the new ratings network, every…

  • By: Staff
  • December 14, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:32
Workplace Benefits Awards’ winners celebrate success

Workplace Benefits Awards’ winners celebrate success

Nearly 60 top influencers in the benefits, pension and investment industries gathered for a luncheon at the Arcadian Court in Toronto on Oct. 20 to…

How three Canadian companies are making employee health and wellness a priority

How three Canadian companies are making employee health and wellness a priority

CGI Group Inc., Devon Energy Canada and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society were recently awarded for their commitment to health and wellness in the workplace by…

  • By: Staff
  • December 12, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:05
Medaca Health Group enhances workplace mental-health treatment platform

Medaca Health Group enhances workplace mental-health treatment platform

Medaca Health Group has expanded its workplace mental-health treatment programs, adding a range of new services designed to help employers reduce absenteeism, prevent long-term disability…

  • By: Staff
  • December 12, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:04
Home Hardware hosts health fairs to raise benefits awareness

Home Hardware hosts health fairs to raise benefits awareness

Home Hardware Stores Ltd. hosted a series of health fairs in November for more than 2,000 employees in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Ontario to raise…

Financial woes distracting Canadians at work: survey

Financial woes distracting Canadians at work: survey

Nearly a third (29 per cent) of Canadians are distracted at work as a result of their personal financial situation, according to Sun Life Financial’s…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • December 9, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:30
Have your say: Are discounts on pet food a good use of resources?

Have your say: Are discounts on pet food a good use of resources?

As Canadian employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of catering to the diverse needs and preferences of their employees, many are considering the merits of…

  • By: Staff
  • December 6, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Just 53% of Canadian workers with severe symptoms call in sick: poll

Just 53% of Canadian workers with severe symptoms call in sick: poll

Just 53 per cent of Canadians will take a sick day if their symptoms are severe, a poll by Monster Canada has found. The finding,…

Integrated programs key to successful workplace mental-health strategies

Integrated programs key to successful workplace mental-health strategies

How can employers implement a strategic wellness program to make a difference to employees’ mental health? Eric Pfeiffer, senior health management consultant at Manulife, presented…

Employee benefits now include gourmet pet food

Employee benefits now include gourmet pet food

Benefits are now available for a new kind of employee dependant – fur babies. Digital benefits platform League’s lifestyle spending account is traditionally used for…

  • By: Staff
  • December 2, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:20
Have your say: How important are work-life balance tools compared to traditional benefits?

Have your say: How important are work-life balance tools compared to traditional benefits?

How important are opportunities for flexible work and other tools to promote work-life balance in comparison to traditional benefits? Nearly half of Canadian employees value…

  • By: Staff
  • November 29, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:07
Benefits exchanges predicted for Canada as plans continue to evolve

Benefits exchanges predicted for Canada as plans continue to evolve

Unlimited vacation, free parking, car allowances, concierge services such as food delivery, dog walking and housecleaning are just some of the new perks several companies…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • November 25, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:30
KPMG staff to get credits for health pledges during benefits enrolment

KPMG staff to get credits for health pledges during benefits enrolment

KPMG has opened its annual flexible benefits enrolment window for the coming year and is encouraging employees to actively make selections for their 2017 coverage.…

How do employees feel about workplace saunas?

How do employees feel about workplace saunas?

At Finnish software development company Futurice, employees in the Helsinki office can celebrate the end of the week with an on-site steam, possibly with colleagues…

What work-life balance benefits do employees value most?

What work-life balance benefits do employees value most?

Among benefits and workplace programs that promote work-life balance, Canadian employees place a high value on the opportunity to work flexibly and take time off,…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • November 18, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:14
Study reveals management practices that can reduce mental-health claims

Study reveals management practices that can reduce mental-health claims

Employers can use five management practices to lower mental health and disability claim rates in their organization, according to a new study. The five-year Salveo…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • November 16, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 10:43
How Canadian tech companies are upping the benefits ante

How Canadian tech companies are upping the benefits ante

How do four hours of housecleaning a month, a baby bonus and a monthly allowance until a child turns five sound as employee benefits? Those…

Workplace Benefits Awards: Leaders discuss solutions to cost challenges at Benefits Canada roundtable

Workplace Benefits Awards: Leaders discuss solutions to cost challenges at Benefits Canada roundtable

Although rising costs for pension and benefits plans continue to be a concern for employers, many plan sponsors are finding ways to address the challenges…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • November 14, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00