Lower-income workers across Ontario have lower rates of employer-provided dental insurance, according to a new report by the Toronto Foundation. In addition, the community foundation found the problem is more pronounced in Toronto. For example, 53 per cent of employees earning under $20,000 annually have workplace dental insurance in the rest of Ontario, while the same […]
It’s a Catch-22, this rise in the focus on mental health. Nearly two years after the coronavirus became a household name, employers are still ramping up their mental-health supports, a testament to the sustained attention to making people’s mental wellness a focal point — in the workplace, at home and in society at large. But […]
Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, leading Canadian employers are demonstrating their unwavering commitment to supporting their employees’ mental health. In fact, Benefits Canada’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards’ mental-health category was so packed with standout entries that it was split into two categories based on company size. The four finalists and two winners have […]
Landing in the emergency room in the middle of the night was a wake-up call for Margaret Eaton. She started a new job as the Canadian Mental Health Association’s national chief executive officer in January 2020. Then, about two months into her new gig, the coronavirus pandemic hit. As the pandemic’s finish line kept moving […]
Making mental health and well-being the foundation of an organization’s culture wields success for employers. Well before the coronavirus pandemic put mental health in the spotlight, Schneider Electric was taking a proactive approach to psychological safety in the workplace by naming it as a priority and building a culture of inclusion that allows employees to […]
Sobeys Inc.’s mental-health program manager discusses simplifying support, the echo pandemic and the joys of new parenthood. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: My role was created during the pandemic, so it’s probably no surprise that [mental health] tops the list. Sobeys’ workforce is made up primarily of essential workers […]
While 85 per cent of employees believe workplace perks are as important or more important to them now than before the coronavirus pandemic, 65 per cent said their employer hasn’t added any new perks since the pandemic’s onset, according to a new survey by workplace management platform Robin Powered Inc. The survey, which polled nearly 600 full-time employees, […]
Ontario is eyeing a new system to provide “portable benefits” for workers in the gig economy, retail and hospitality sectors who don’t currently have health, dental or vision coverage. Under the plan, workers would be able to keep their benefits even if they change jobs, said the province in a press release. If the plan […]
Employers are turning to virtual health care offerings to support employees’ physical wellness amid the ongoing pandemic. Since Alithya, a Montreal-based technology company, launched a wellness portal last July, a virtual fitness program has become one of the most utilized benefits offerings, says Catherine Bourque, its vice-president of human capital. The program — which allows employees to […]
The majority (69 per cent) of employed generation Z and millennial Canadians are struggling with anxiety, while 59 per cent are dealing with depression, according to a new survey by Ipsos for RBC Insurance. The survey, which polled more than 1,500 employed Canadians aged 18 and over, found those aged 18 to 34 were significantly […]