Improved benefits and pensions are needed for wildland firefighters amid the unprecedented amount of wildfires in Canada this year, says Bert Blundon, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees. “Firefighters have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, mental-health concerns and cancer. That last one is the main source of contention for wildland […]
Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of business leaders have increased their organization’s investment in diversity, equity and inclusion over the past 12 months, according to a new survey by the World 50 Group, a global community of business leaders. Direct reports to the chief executive officer were most likely to feel they have access to […]
With the 2023 Workplace Benefits Awards’ nomination process soon drawing to a close, Benefits Canada is pleased to announce this year’s panel of judges. The deadline for this year’s awards is Fri., July 7, at which time the awards entries will be turned over to the hands of several industry experts. Read: Who are the winners […]
Federally regulated workplaces are expected to begin offering free menstrual products to workers by the end of 2023. On Wednesday, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan announced changes to the Canada Labour Code that would ensure access to such products beginning Dec. 15. The changes would require federally regulated workplaces to provide menstrual products to workers at […]
In April 2022, Yelp expanded its insurance coverage for travel expenses for out-of-state medical procedures to include abortion. The increased coverage arrived three weeks before the leak of a first draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion poised to strike down the historic Roe v. Wade ruling, which guaranteed all American women the right to […]
Half (53 per cent) of employees who believe their work isn’t authentically recognized by their employer are actively looking for a new job, compared to 27 per cent who believe their employer’s recognition is authentic, according to a survey by Gallup Inc. for software company Workhuman. The survey, which polled more than 7,000 U.S. employees, […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion issues is an increasingly key part of its long-term strategic vision. The pension fund is embedding DEI initiatives into its latest enterprise strategy and is guiding the plan’s global growth and expansion, says Beth Tyndall, its chief people officer. “For the first time ever in [our] […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan is increasing its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in areas ranging from organizational culture to recruiting. The organization launched a five-year strategy last year, focusing on embedding DEI into its culture, work environment and business processes, while addressing systemic barriers faced by equity-seeking groups. Michael Regis, the […]
While 68 per cent of Black Canadians said their employers have made progress on promises to be more equitable and inclusive for Black employees, only 35 per cent believe their prospects for advancement have improved, according to a new survey by KPMG in Canada. The survey, which polled about 1,000 Black Canadians, found just 19 per cent were offered […]
While talk about the importance of improving diversity on corporate boards and in the C-suite has been ongoing for decades, actual action has been too slow. In 2020, there were more chief executive officers named Michael or James than actual women CEOs in the U.S., with just six per cent of the top 500 public […]