September marks the start of Arthritis Awareness Month.
How are employers promoting wellness at their companies? Here are just a few examples.
Green Shield Canada has launched stick2it, its medication adherence reminder program.
Employers realize that health begins with heading off illness First, the good news: thanks to medical progress, many diseases once viewed as death sentences are more survivable than ever, and early detection is making it possible to avert many illnesses before they become serious. Second, the not-so-good news: with the reduction in acute cases, chronic […]
For $5 you can become a member of Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), the Vancouver-based outdoor sporting equipment and clothing store, and vote on how the co-op is governed. But for a resumé, you can work for an employer that truly values healthy employees. For MEC, the perks are about being active. “Ultimately, we want to encourage and have our staff lead healthy lives,” says Abbie Hodgson van Essen, manager of compensation and benefits. “That’s what MEC is at the core—getting people outside and getting people into self-propelled activities.”
Sometimes, an organization is very clear on its communications objectives: to educate, heighten awareness, modify behaviours, reduce confusion and put out a call to action. But it takes a keen sensitivity to one’s employees to know how to reach them in order to achieve those objectives.
The American benefits landscape has been the birthplace of a number of concepts and strategies that have migrated to Canada: Targeted health population programs, wellness and prevention programs, and worksite health management all began in the U.S. With the high cost of healthcare, these programs and strategies are intended to reduce costs for employers, increase employee productivity and reduce the incidence of disability claims. A similar strategy which is gaining more attention in the U.S. landscape is benefits advocacy.
The United States has delayed a portion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which forces companies with 50 or more workers to provide healthcare coverage to their employees.
The Canadian Diabetes Association has released its 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, which aim to improve prevention strategies and the quality of care for those living with the disease.
A recent survey commissioned by ParticipACTION has revealed that employees are fine with physical activity in the workplace.