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 […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan is taking a holistic approach to creating a menopause-inclusive workplace by providing benefits and resources for employees experiencing menopause while reducing stigma around the topic. The employer offers benefits such as hormone replacement therapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy and, in January, it launched a health-care spending account that allows […]
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 […]
More than eight in 10 (80 per cent) women in today’s workforce are in roles highly exposed to generative artificial intelligence, but they’re adopting these tools at a rate 25 per cent lower than men, according to a recent report by Abacus Data. “The biggest risk is economic exclusion,” said Sarah Stockdale, founder and chief […]
U.S. employers are increasingly embracing pay transparency, even as regulatory complexities introduced by the federal government present new challenges, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled nearly 400 employers, found 82 per cent said they’re either communicating, planning or considering communicating individual pay ranges with employees and 79 per cent are […]
An article about the ongoing discussion around tattoos in the workplace 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. Workplace tattoo visibility sparks fresh look at dress codes, employee inclusion: expert 2. Canadian target-benefit plan sponsors can […]
With more and more Canadians now sporting at least one tattoo, the summer season is prompting fresh conversations about professionalism and self-expression in the workplace. According to Alyssa Grocutt, a PhD candidate at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, warmer weather often brings renewed scrutiny and, in some cases, growing acceptance as tattoos become more […]
Gender differences in mental health manifest through biology, gender roles and cultural expectations, according to Carmen Bellows, registered psychologist and director of mental health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Mental Health Summit. Taking all mental-health disorders into account, she said there are no gender differences in the […]
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 […]
While some employers may be tempted to downplay or disguise their diversity, equity and inclusion programs amid the current DEI backlash, these moves can send the wrong message to employees, says Eddy Ng, a professor of equity and inclusion at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business. These so-called ‘shadow DEI’ programs are often rolled into […]