Before bringing employees back to the office, it’s important for employers to clearly communicate their expectations, support employee well-being and ensure there’s adequate space for workers, says Chris Gory, employee benefits advisor at Orchard Benefits. “Employers need to communicate their expectations for when employees are working at the office to avoid any confusion. They should […]
For every dollar invested in integrated mental-health coverage and care, $1.50 is returned through lower mental-health claims by year two, even before accounting for the impacts of absenteeism or disability, according to a new report by Greenshield. The report — which drew on several sources, including reports by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the […]
Weight management drugs and high-cost specialty treatments are expected to have the biggest impact on private drug plans this year, according to Telus Health’s annual drug pipeline report. It found spending on weight management drugs has more than quadrupled since 2021. In 2024, the category doubled in size following the launch of Wegovy (semaglutide) in […]
Manitoba is set to become the first province in Canada to require employers to provide free menstrual products in workplaces. The provincial government will amend the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation to require employers to provide menstrual products, including pads and tampons, in workplace washrooms or another accessible location, ensuring workers have access to basic […]
While the percentage of plan members who describe their personal financial situation as significantly or somewhat better than last year decreased from 42 per cent in 2025 to 34 per cent, the percentage that describe it as significantly worse or somewhat worse has also dropped, from 26 per cent last year to 22 per cent, […]
Roughly two-thirds (64 per cent) of global employers say cost control is their No. 1 benefits priority in 2026, citing it as a key focus as they navigate rising benefits costs, data gaps and operational complexity, according to a new report by Normandin Beaudry and MBWL International. The survey, which polled more than 300 global […]
A high-profile harassment complaint involving a former Canadian Broadcasting Corp. anchor is a reminder for Canadian employers of the legal risks tied to mishandling workplace complaints, says Stuart Rudner, an employment lawyer and managing partner at Rudner Law. The claim, first reported by the Canadian Press, alleges a toxic workplace, bullying and reprisal. According to […]
Nearly two‑thirds of Canadian women aged 35 to 55 say menopause symptoms affect their job performance, while more than half report that the time spent seeking care disrupts their work, according to a new survey by GreenShield Canada. The survey, which polled more than 1,000 women, found only 13 per cent said their employer provides […]
An article on Skip’s new caregiving benefit was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Employee caregiving pressures push Skip to rethink benefits 2. A third of employees merely surviving as mental-health needs rise: report 3. 72% […]
With roughly six million Canadians balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, employers are facing growing pressure to address the impact on productivity, retention and employee well-being. At Skip, these pressures are increasingly visible across the workforce, particularly among employees managing both childcare and elder-care responsibilities. “We recognize that our employees don’t leave their personal lives at […]