For many people, gardening is a hobby reserved for winding down after a busy workday or week. It can be a good way to exercise, connect with the environment, relieve stress and eventually enjoy the fruits of their labour. But in a bid to foster health and wellness, get employees moving and increase productivity, Winnipeg-based […]
Rates of workplace absenteeism reached peak levels in 2016 compared to the last five years in both the public and private sectors, according to Statistics Canada. The public sector lost 13.5 days per employee on average, up from 12.5 in 2012. The private sector had been trending down from 8.3 days in 2012 but returned […]
With the holidays approaching, music is everywhere. And if hitting the high notes in the privacy of your shower each morning raises your spirits for the day ahead, it stands to reason that singing in a workplace choir over your lunch hour can create the same sense of well-being. The concept may have grown out of […]
Saskatchewan’s auditor says she is concerned about the number of sick days being taken, particularly by workers in the province’s health-care and gaming sectors. Provincial auditor Judy Ferguson highlighted employee absenteeism at the Heartland Regional Health Authority and Saskatchewan Gaming Corp. in her annual report released Tuesday. She said she zeroed in on both because […]
Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada is partnering with Medical Confidence Inc. to help Canadian employees navigate the health-care system when they go on disability leave. Beginning in 2018, Medical Confidence’s disability management service will be rolled out to Sun Life’s employer clients. The service provides one-on-one support through a health-care professional, arranges accelerated access to […]
Despite rising health-care costs, there’s a gap when it comes to seeing the results of all of that spending, according to a speaker at the recent Calgary Drug Trends Summit. “Although health-care costs are increasing, we have not seen a significant improvement in the health of Canadians,” said Dr. Doug Klein, an associate professor at […]
Medavie Blue Cross’ health foundation is providing a funding boost to an online program that aims to help Canadians reduce their risk of developing chronic disease. Medavie’s foundation is donating $750,000 over four years to Acceleration 2.0, a followup to the original program the insurer donated $75,000 to between 2013 and 2016. Speaking at the launch event for the second phase of […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is boosting its presence in the United States and globally with the acquisition of Chestnut Global Partners, an employee assistance program and wellness services provider based in Illinois. As part of the acquisition, Morneau Shepell acquires ownership stakes in five joint venture companies that provide employee assistance services to companies in Brazil, China, Eastern Europe, […]
With the new Alberta dental fee guide taking effect on Jan. 1, 2018, many plan sponsors will likely be taking a look at their benefits plans to consider the impact of the changes on them. The new fee guide provides for an 8.5 per cent cut in suggested prices for 60 common procedures. Most plan sponsors will […]
It’s said that laughter is the best medicine. At consultancy Accompass Inc., a good belly laugh, among other activities, is earning employees extra points they can translate into dollars for their wellness accounts. “We do focus on wellness with our clients, and we really wanted to ramp up what we do in-house,” says Judy Buckley, vice-president of […]