U.S. employers are anticipating a median health benefits cost trend of nine per cent in 2026, which could be offset to 7.6 per cent with changes to plan design, according to a new survey by Business Group on Health. The survey, which polled more than 120 employers representing 11.6 million plan members, found, on a […]
The workplace has evolved considerably in the last decade and compensation alone no longer defines how employees measure their experience. While salary remains important, it’s only one part of a much broader picture. Professionals today are seeking a more holistic value proposition —one that reflects their individual needs, promotes shared purpose and aligns with their […]
An article on the Ontario government’s return-to-office mandate for provincial 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. My Take: Ontario’s latest return-to-work mandate is misinformed, short-sighted 2. Ontario Teachers’ investing US$40 million in HR platform, […]
When it comes to career decisions, Canadian workers are split between exploration and stability, said Deborah Bottineau, managing director at Robert Half Canada, in an emailed statement to Benefits Canada. “Those seeking a change aren’t only chasing higher pay — in fact, for the first time since we began tracking worker sentiment, better benefits and […]
Three-quarters (75 per cent) of Canadian employees say they’d be more likely to stay with their current organization if benefits were more personalized and comprehensive, according to a new survey by Hub International Ltd. It found employers aren’t implementing the tailored programs needed to improve retention, despite personalization being a clear priority for employees. The […]
Employers can support workers impacted by this summer’s wildfires through flexible working arrangements, mental-health resources and clear communication, says Kim Siddall, national vice-president of client strategy at People Corporation. “Employers are looking at different ways to support people, both on the mental health and physical health side, because of disruption and displacement [from evacuation] as […]
Among Canadian companies that say they’re bracing for a recession (76 per cent), a fifth (22 per cent) say they’ve paused hiring for the remainder of 2025, according to a new survey by the Harris Poll on behalf of Express Services Inc. The survey, which polled more than 500 employers, found nearly a third (30 […]
Seven in 10 (72 per cent) of U.S. employees say they’re at least somewhat stressed about their household finances, while a third (34 per cent) say they’re very or extremely stressed, according to a new survey by the Hartford. The survey, which polled more than 700 employers and more than 1,000 employees, found more than […]
Gender differences in mental health manifest through biology, gender roles and cultural expectations, according to Carmen Bellows, registered psychologist and director of mental health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Mental Health Summit. Taking all mental-health disorders into account, she said there are no gender differences in the […]
Women’s mental health has historically been underfunded and under-researched, with just three per cent of neuroscience and psychiatry studies between 2009 and 2019 conducted exclusively in females, compared to about 30 per cent in males, according to research cited by Manulife Canada’s Georgia Pomaki during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Mental Health Summit. Yet, […]