In the five years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus pandemic, Canadian benefits plan sponsors have adapted their offerings and continue to apply many of the lessons learned over the course of the health crisis. Chris Zelasko, president of Peak Benefit Solutions Inc. says while his plan sponsor clients initially focused on the […]
The previous year was an interesting one in the world of employee benefits plans. Over the previous 12 months, employers have navigated the explosion of claims for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, some forward momentum on national pharmacare and some employers changed their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Here are five […]
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s multi-faceted approach to employee well-being took home the top prize in the Health/Wellness Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “I’m actually really surprised [by the award win]!” says Merlyn Sequeira, senior director of total rewards at Samsung. “It’s […]
CAA Club Group’s holistic and data-driven approach to employee well-being led to a win in the Health/Wellness Program category for employers with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. This is the second year in a row that CAA has won the award. “We know that we do […]
Employers can support employees going through menopause by improving their workplace culture, communication and accommodation policies and employee benefits, said Janet Ko, president and co-founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February. She said menopause came a barrage of symptoms that “blindsided” her and disrupted her […]
The vast majority (89 per cent) of U.S. employees say they’d be more likely to continue working for an employer that offered a retirement plan, according to a new survey by Vestwell Holdings Inc. The survey, which polled more than 1,200 workers, found a similar percentage (89 per cent) expressed some level of interest in […]
While ChatGPT is helping benefits communications become more efficient, detailed and reliable, the risks may outweigh the rewards when it comes to full automation, says Tom Milne, a principal at Normandin Beaudry. The possibilities for generative artificial intelligence in the benefits space are infinite, he says, noting the algorithms are helping expedite the research and […]
The Ottawa Community Housing Corp. is continuing to see employee engagement in its health and wellness programs following its win in Benefits Canada’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards. The organization’s flexible well-being strategy won in the Health/Wellness program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees. In 2021, the OCH added more flexibility to its wellness programs by overhauling […]
Nearly all (90 per cent) global employers say they plan to maintain investments in employee well-being and a third (31 per cent) say they’re planning to increase these investments amid the current economic environment, according to a new survey by Fidelity Investments and Business Group on Health. The survey, which polled more than 180 employers, […]
The union representing around 150 employees at West Fraser Timber in Fort Frances, Ont. has ratified a four-year collective agreement that includes multiple benefits gains. The new contract, which is retroactive to Aug. 1, 2022, includes a new maternity leave top-up program that provides new mothers with additional financial support. During the first eight weeks […]