coronavirus pandemic – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Thu, 02 May 2024 17:22:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Expert panel: How institutional investors are adapting to a post-pandemic global economy https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/alts/expert-panel-how-institutional-investors-are-adapting-to-a-post-pandemic-global-economy/ Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:00:12 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154441 Renowned American businessman and investor Charlie Munger once said, “You have to keep learning if you want to become a great investor. When the world changes you must change.” The world has changed and institutional investors will need to have a plan and be ready to face new challenges. The 30 years prior to the […]

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]]> Demand for data centres rising as institutional investors seek to diversify real estate portfolios: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/alts/demand-for-data-centres-rising-as-institutional-investors-seek-to-diversify-real-estate-portfolios-expert/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:00:01 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154283 Data centres are becoming an important asset for institutional investors seeking to diversify their real estate portfolios. The data centre asset class was valued at an estimated US$301.8 billion as of 2023, according to researcher P&S Intelligence, which also noted the value is expected to increase to US$622.4 billion by the end of 2030. Indeed, […]

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]]> Head to Head: Is it time to change the terminology around ESG? https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/head-to-head-is-it-time-to-change-the-terminology-around-esg/ Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:59:40 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153998 An academic says environmental, social and governance terminology should evolve alongside understanding of the concept, while a consultant favours a focus on substance over form. Amir Akbari, assistant professor of finance, McMaster University As our understanding of sustainable development evolves, so, too, should our characterization of responsible investment. For instance, consider the United Nation’s Kunming-Montreal Global […]

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]]> Sounding Board: How employers can create an effective employee experience program https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/sounding-board-how-employers-can-create-an-effective-employee-experience-program/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:00:29 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153919 Just a few years ago, employee experience wasn’t a top consideration among employers. However, the employee experience movement has recently gained momentum in the workplace, with research indicating companies that invest in these initiatives are four-times more profitable than those that don’t. Read: Employee experience, well-being top priority during pandemic: survey Employee experience is the […]

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]]> Manitoba government could boost security for remote work: Auditor General https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/manitoba-government-could-boost-security-for-remote-work-auditor-general/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:00:27 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153119 Manitoba’s auditor general says the provincial government has introduced information technology security measures to help employees work from home, but some improvements are needed. Tyson Shtykalo examined information technology systems after government employees began to work remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. His 23-page report says the province uses encryption to protect data, but some settings […]

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]]> Caisse returns 7.2% for 2023, driven by bonds, equities https://www.benefitscanada.com/canadian-investment-review/research-markets/caisse-returns-7-2-for-2023-driven-by-bonds-equities/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:00:54 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=152268 The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is reporting a net return of 7.2 per cent for 2023, with net assets increasing to $434 billion. The investment organization’s year-end report said public equities returned 17.7 per cent in 2023, driven by large U.S. technology stocks as well as growth stocks and the Caisse’s large […]

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]]> 63% of U.S. employers with paid-time-off banks say most employees don’t take vacation due to workload: survey https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/63-of-u-s-employers-with-paid-time-off-banks-say-most-employees-dont-take-vacation-due-to-workload-survey/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:00:57 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151835 While more than a third (38 per cent) of U.S. employers are offering employees a paid-time-off bank, up slightly from in 2017 (34 per cent), nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) say most workers don’t use it due to a heavy workload, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The […]

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]]> Editorial: The more things change https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/editorial-the-more-things-change-2/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:00:01 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151398 Well hello there! We may have met during one of Benefits Canada’s and the Canadian Investment Review’s many events throughout the year, but if we haven’t, I’m usually helming our daily online news coverage from behind the scenes, while contributing to the monthly print magazine. You’ll be seeing me in this space for the next few […]

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]]> How 5 employers are broadening the scope of mental-health support https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/how-5-employers-are-broadening-the-scope-of-mental-health-support/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:59:16 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151496 Nearly four years after a global health crisis sparked an enduring spotlight on Canadians’ mental health, employees are increasingly making use of their workplace benefits while employers continue to push the boundaries in the programs and support they offer. Two-thirds (67 per cent) of Canadian benefits plan members used their mental-health benefits in the last […]

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]]> How active management strategies are helping institutional investors amid volatile global marketplace https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/how-active-management-strategies-are-helping-institutional-investors-amid-volatile-global-marketplace/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:57:55 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151594 As global markets navigate turbulent economic waters, active management is proving once again to be a lifeline for institutional investors to ensure their portfolios ride out the storm. Pension funds are currently operating amid uncertainty and potential risk, says Ruslan Goyenko, an associate professor of finance at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management. “There are […]

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