South Asian women remain one of the most educated yet under-utilized groups in Canada’s workforce, facing persistent barriers to progression despite record immigration levels. Canada’s immigration levels more than doubled in recent years to 1.4 million annually and while South Asians made up the largest share of newcomers, they face uneven workforce integration, particularly women, […]
When updating their benefits program, some employers may be hesitant to cut offerings due to a lack of clarity around which benefits are most valued by employees, says Grant Boissonneault, assistant vice-president and relationship lead at Aon. “While benefits programs are intended to support employee well-being and engagement, organizations often rely on assumptions or outdated […]
Kraft Heinz Canada is reimagining family benefits to reflect a broader, more inclusive definition of caregiving and employee well-being. The company is reframing these benefits by ensuring male employees are seen, supported and included across all life stages. In late 2024, it launched a digital-first health platform offering 24-7 confidential access to expert-led care. The […]
Germany is extending maternity protection for women to include those who have suffered a miscarriage after they’ve entered the 13th week of pregnancy, according to a report by Deutsche Welle. Germany’s lower house of parliament passed the law last week, with a majority of lawmakers voting in favour of the bill. If passed in the […]
The U.S. Defense Department will no longer reimburse service members for travel out of state to get reproductive health care, including abortions and fertility treatments, according to a new memo. The directive eliminates a rarely used Biden administration policy enacted in October 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and more states began […]
The hospitality company’s pension and benefits manager discusses gen Z in the workforce, student debt repayment programs and family vacations. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: We’re considering providing more flexibility and inclusive benefits in our health coverage, family support program and paid leave plans to better meet the […]
Seven in 10 (70 per cent) employees say they’re dissatisfied with their employer’s current benefits plan, according to a new survey by Robert Walters Canada. The survey, which polled more than 500 employees, found more than a quarter (27 per cent) agreed the benefits their employer offers are mostly trivial and do more to attract employees […]
PepsiCo Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards win demonstrates how weaving diversity, equity and inclusion into strategic business practices can foster employee mental health and wellness. The food and beverage company’s inclusive end-to-end business transformation strategy made it this year’s winner in the DEI Program category. “It’s so fantastic that all of our hard work has been […]
When Jennifer Young, a global human resources business solutions consultant at Manulife Financial Corp., found out she was expecting her first child in 2021, she thought the coronavirus pandemic would pose the biggest challenge to a healthy pregnancy. But, like many parents, her journey into motherhood ended up requiring a circle of care dependent on […]
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 […]