Amid the increase in frequency and severity of wildfires in Canada, new employment legislation in Quebec could more effectively support employees working remotely in rural areas that are impacted by these natural disasters, says Sarah-Émilie Dubois, a senior associate in the employment and labour group at Dentons Canada LLP. The legislation, introduced this spring as […]
An article announcing the finalists of the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Who are the finalists of the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards? 2. Employee’s termination following mental-health leave not discriminatory: […]
The Human Rights Tribunal of Alberta has ruled that termination of employment on the day an employee returns from a year-long mental-health leave doesn’t, in and of itself, support a discrimination complaint. “In this case, the employer had valid grounds for termination before the medical leave started, and the fact that the complainant’s case had […]
Benefits Canada is pleased to announce the finalists of the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards. This year’s finalists were chosen from more than 80 entries across 11 categories, representing Canadian employers and plan sponsors that are truly leading the way with their support and resources for employees’ physical, mental, financial and social well-being. The winners will be […]
More than four in five (81 per cent) public sector employees had access to medical or dental benefits in 2024, compared to around two-thirds (62 per cent) of private sector workers, according to Statistics Canada. Access to paid vacation leave followed a similar pattern, with more than four in five (82 per cent) public sector […]
Vancouver City Savings Credit Union is using its internal benefits and employee data to react to the financial realities that workers are facing amid the rising cost of living, says Ivana Afonso, the organization’s director of total rewards. “We know the cost-of-living crisis is hitting our core-aged employees hardest, especially those balancing housing, childcare and […]
More than two-fifths (44 per cent) of Canadian employees in a hybrid working arrangement say they’re taking fewer sick days, according to a new survey by International Workplace Group. The survey, which polled more than 1,000 Canadian employees working in a hybrid arrangement, found 71 per cent said they experienced fewer stress-related health issues and […]
Employers can provide better support to female employees with caregiving responsibilities by adjusting their benefits strategy and including men in the conversation, says Sarah Kaplan, founding director of the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. “We have a system that’s simply not designed for caregivers. Women […]
Roughly three-quarters (73 per cent) of Canadian employers say the rising cost of benefits is the No. 1 issue influencing their benefits strategy this year, up significantly from 40 per cent in 2023, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 145 employers across the public and private sectors, found […]
At Metrolinx, diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just initiatives, they’re woven into the fabric of how the Ontario transportation agency operates. “We know that fostering an inclusive culture isn’t a one-time effort, it’s an ongoing commitment that requires action, accountability and continuous learning,” says Ramneet Aujla, the organization’s chief human resources officer. “And […]