In March 2020, Bill Gosling Outsourcing’s benefits plan was facing unsustainable costs, as well as a deficit due to incoming premium increases. The coronavirus pandemic, which was declared at the same time, presented an opportunity for the organization to make significant changes. “During the pandemic, people were housebound, so they weren’t going to the dentist […]
While the provision of travel insurance has long been a staple in many group benefits plans, it was thrust into the spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic. The benefit helps cover unexpected costs that employees may incur while travelling outside of the country, including emergency travel assistance services and emergency medical costs. In addition, some policies […]
Fluor Canada Ltd.’s manager of Indigenous relations and DEI discusses the post-coronavirus pandemic workplace, employee resource groups and fishing. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Employee engagement can be challenging in the post-[coronavirus] pandemic hybrid working model. We’ve come out of a strictly work-from-home circumstance to a hybrid model and, […]
As the coronavirus crisis enters an endemic phase, employers are beginning to see a return to pre-pandemic levels in paramedical benefits’ usage. During the first eight months of the pandemic, many plan members put off paramedical appointments because they were uncomfortable with non-essential, in-person interactions. In addition, many paramedical services were unavailable due to restrictions […]
Walmart Canada is increasing its mental-health benefits coverage for employees and expanding access to virtual health care. Effective Feb. 1, 2023, the company will provide $3,500 in annual mental-health coverage per employee, up from $1,000. “We wanted to make a statement with our [employees] in terms of support for their mental health and $1,000 just […]
The City of Toronto is lifting its coronavirus vaccination mandate for employees, effective Dec. 1. According to a press release, the mandate, which was introduced in September 2021, is ending due to more than 99 per cent of City employees and more than 90 per cent of the public having at least two doses of […]
The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan’s extensive mental-health strategy led to a win in the Mental health program category for an employer with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. In 2021, the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan launched a campaign called It Takes a Village, which emphasizes the importance of […]
BGIS Global Integrated Solutions Canada was recognized in the Mental health program category for employers with more than 1,000 employees at the 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18 for its integrated approach to supporting employees. In July 2021, the facility management company created its BGIS Balance Committee, comprised of 21 employees from various positions […]
The Ottawa Community Housing Corp.’s flexible employee well-being strategy led to a win in the Health/wellness program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “Our organization is happy about the win because this journey in terms of supporting employee health started about two to three years back,” […]
Equitable Bank’s comprehensive financial literacy seminars led to a win in the Financial wellness category at Benefits Canada’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. During the coronavirus pandemic, the bank had to pivot quickly to continue providing quality financial wellness education to employees, says Jasmine Kong, the organization’s human resources generalist. Equitable Bank partnered with some of […]