This year marks Benefits Canada’s fifth annual Mental Health Issue, an initiative introduced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as employers ramped up their focus on this crucial topic. It hasn’t slowed down since. In fact, I’d argue employers’ attention to creating thoughtful and relevant mental-health resources and support for employees will continue its […]
When the return-to-office mandate arrived, 39-year-old Supreet Singh, a corporate communications manager at a bank, didn’t argue, escalate it to human resources or request an accommodation. After nearly seven years of balancing full-time work with caregiving for an ageing parent and two school-aged children, she resigned. The company had been clear there would be no […]
While more than half (57 per cent) of Canadian women agree that International Women’s Day initiatives can have a meaningful impact in the workplace, 64 per cent believe employers treat the day as a celebration rather than an opportunity to assess how they support women, according to a new survey by Benchmark Benefits Solutions Inc. […]
Debra Whitman was traveling for work when her father was suddenly admitted to the hospital in serious pain. She jetted home to Maryland and took several days off to care for him in his rural community in eastern Washington state and to set him up with a motorized lift chair that would help him stand […]
A recent New York Times feature highlighted the growing tension between workplace expectations and the unequal share of caregiving and domestic labour women continue to manage — a conversation that mirrors what Dr. Vera Kohut, family physician and medical director at Serefin Health, says she sees daily. “Work was built around the life pattern of […]
Canadian employees with caregivering responsibilities are facing rising levels of stress, lost income and workplace strain, according to a new survey by virtual-care platform Maple Corp. The survey, which polled more than 1,500 employees, found working caregivers were almost twice as likely as non-caregivers to miss work due to mental-health reasons (10 per cent compared […]
Jane Standing’s innovation and commitment to employee well-being earned her recognition as the Human Resources/Benefits Professional of the Year at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards. The senior Canadian benefits manager at Amazon was recognized for the creativity and care she has brought to workplace programs and her dedication to ensuring employees feel supported and […]
The Human Resources Professionals Association’s vice-president of human experience and innovation shares insights on building future-ready teams, reimagining total rewards and creating meaningful cultural rituals. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: We’re doubling down on two key areas that reflect where the world of work is heading. First, we’re […]
Kraft Heinz Canada is reimagining family benefits to reflect a broader, more inclusive definition of caregiving and employee well-being. The company is reframing these benefits by ensuring male employees are seen, supported and included across all life stages. In late 2024, it launched a digital-first health platform offering 24-7 confidential access to expert-led care. The […]
The organization’s chief human resources officer discusses innovative caregiver support, early wage access and how SE Health is tackling workforce housing concerns. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: One of the most exciting initiatives we’ve recently launched is a caregiver benefit that’s designed specifically for our employees who are […]