As part of the Ontario government’s new bill amending the Employment Standards Act, it’s bringing back the option for employers to request a medical note from employees taking sick leave, family responsibility leave or bereavement leave. As legislation currently stands, employers may require evidence classified as “reasonable in the circumstances” to prove an employee is eligible to […]
Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada has launched an online network of health resources that’s free for all Canadians. The online platform, called Lumino Health, provides information about more than 150,000 health-care providers, including dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, vision-care providers and psychologists. In addition, it offers more than six million ratings about these providers from Sun Life plan […]
An increased focus on early intervention led Staples Canada to the mental-health award at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 11. After noticing that mental health was becoming a larger issue within the organization, Staples adopted the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace, created its own psychological health and […]
CGI Group Inc. hosted its 11th annual global walking event at the end of September, connecting its commitment to employee health and well-being with charitable activities. During the event, called Walk Around the World, employees were encouraged to get out and walk for 30 minutes, but also take some time for themselves and connect with their colleagues. […]
Taking a varied and thorough approach to employee health helped Niagara Casinos take home the award for best health and wellness program for an employer with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada‘s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 11. The variety of wellness offerings and activities included kickboxing, paddle boarding, bath bomb workshops, an onsite […]
Promoting health and wellness as a business priority and effectively communicating this to the workforce was the Town of Richmond Hill’s recipe for success at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards. The organization took home the award for best health and wellness program for a company with less than 1,000 employees at a ceremony in Toronto on Oct. 11. […]
Three-quarters (76 per cent) of Canadian employees said they work while tired at least somewhat often, according to a new survey by staffing firm Accountemps. The survey, which queried more than 550 office workers in Canada, found 31 per cent of respondents work while tired very often and 45 per cent do so somewhat often. […]
While the subject of loneliness isn’t one that immediately comes to mind when considering workplace wellness, a 2017 study by Britain’s New Economics Foundation showed its economic impact is about £2.5 billion annually. Using evidence on the links between loneliness and depression, coronary heart disease and stroke, the study estimated its cost to employers includes […]
Controlling costs on both the employer and employee side of benefits plans is a top concern for human resources professionals, according to a new survey by Hub International Ltd. The survey, which polled nearly 200 benefits decision-makers at Canadian organizations, found 36 per cent of respondents said employee costs are a concern and 32 per cent said employer […]
Crawford and Co. Canada Inc. is adding a new software platform, designed to help employees return to work sooner, to its human risk service line. The software, called EmployerWorks, aims to streamline and standardize the collection, communication and analysis of “physical, cognitive and psychosocial demands tied to risk assessment and return to work efforts,” according to a press […]