The Nova Scotia government has tabled a bill that would significantly increase the amount of unpaid time off for employees who develop a serious illness or are severely hurt on the job. Labour Minister Jill Balser told reporters if the bill becomes law, workers will get up to 27 unpaid weeks off without fear they’ll […]
Ontario’s Ministry of Health is consulting on the role of preferred pharmacy networks in the province’s employer-sponsored drug insurance sector to determine how these agreements impact plan members’ costs, choice, accessibility and access to medicine and quality of care. In its draft consultation paper, the ministry said a common concern among consumers is when PPNs are closed and […]
An article announcing the finalists in the 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards 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. Who are the finalists of the 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards? 2. Ford, Lowes among employers pulling back from DEI policies 3. 68% […]
The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has ruled that employees who suggest an alternative to an employer’s accommodation for substance abuse treatment must provide evidence that their proposal is an effective alternative to the employer’s recommendation. “The decision confirms that an employee doesn’t get to dictate what form accommodation must take,” says Vicki Giles, […]
Benefits Canada is pleased to announce the finalists of the 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards. Across nearly 100 entries in 12 categories, leading Canadian employers demonstrated their accomplishments in supporting their employees’ physical, mental and financial well-being. The winners will be announced on Friday, Oct. 18 at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto during the 2024 Healthy Outcomes Conference, an in-person event intended for employers […]
Ford Motor Co. and Lowe’s Companies Inc. have joined the ranks of companies that have pulled back on diversity, equity and inclusion policies while facing pressure from conservative groups. Last week, Ford chief executive officer Jim Farley sent a memo to all employees outlining the changes, including a decision to stop taking part in external […]
An article on Citigroup Inc.’s new parental and caregiver leave programs for U.S. employees 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. Citigroup enhancing parental leave, introducing caregiver leave for U.S., Puerto Rico employees 2. Caisse invests $35M in energy […]
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Canadian hiring managers are reporting an increase in employee productivity compared to last year, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada. The survey, which polled 1,800 hiring managers and more than 1,750 employees, found among hiring managers, the factors that contributed the most to increased productivity were […]
A third (34 per cent) of U.S. employees aged 50 and older are phasing into retirement, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled 10,000 U.S. employees working at medium- and large-sized private sector companies, found among workers who are currently phasing into retirement, six in 10 (61 per cent) have reduced […]
Despite the prevalence of pregnancy loss, many employers still don’t have a plan in place that adequately supports employees experiencing this type of loss, says Michelle La Fontaine, a program manager at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network. “We’ve heard a variety of experiences from families who have experienced pregnancy and infant […]