While 63 per cent of employees consider health and wellness benefits when choosing a job, 29 per cent of employers still don’t offer these benefits, according to a new survey by OfficeTeam Inc. The survey found 30 per cent of employees value ergonomic evaluations and equipment from their employer, followed by access to fitness facilities or programs (25 […]
As 2018 draws to a close, professionals in the pension, investment, benefits and human resources industries have a number of dates to add to their calendars for the year ahead. Jan. 1: The Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan enhancements take effect. In the first stage, employees and employers will see their CPP contribution rates climb from the current […]
Trends, benefits fraud and drug coverage led the top health and benefits stories in 2018. Benefits Canada rounds up the industry’s favourite health and benefits stories of the year: 1. Seven benefits trends to watch in 2018 2. Ontario unveils new drug, dental coverage for people without workplace benefits 3. TTC fraud update: More than 220 employees fired or have resigned, retired […]
Providence Health Care isn’t new to offering health challenges to its staff. Every October during healthy workplace month, the company encourages its employees to change a habit they can easily integrate into their workday. But when Linda Rankin, the organization’s occupational health and safety coordinator, learned about the annual health challenge offered by Pacific Blue Cross, she was keen to roll […]
While a national pharmacare program in Canada could mean reduced expenditures and drug prices, there could also be unintended consequences, according to a new report by the Fraser Institute. Shining a light on the national programs in Australia, New Zealand and U.K., the report looked at the cost-saving mechanisms they use, as well as the side-effects. Specifically, it noted the programs […]
At the annual Mental Health Summit Toronto on Nov. 12, industry experts provided insights on mental health and the workplace, including how to remove the stigma, a look at new technologies and ways to help facilitate a smooth return to work. Here are some of the highlights of the sessions: Accommodation an affordable path to […]
Providing accommodation to employees with mental illness can yield major benefits savings of about $56,000 to $200,000 per employee over a five-year projection. Speaking at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Mental Health Summit Toronto on Nov. 12, Nitika Rewari, manager of workplace mental health at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, shared the results of employer case studies, […]
Despite the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression’s goal to define biosignatures that make depression cases unique by looking at molecular profiling, pre-clinical work, data science and neuroimaging, Dr. Claudio Soares said the organization is about 10 years behind other specialties. “We’re just trying to play catch up. We’re trying to do what other specialists have been able […]
Two-thirds of Canadians have access to an employer-sponsored health plan, compared to one-in-five Australians and one-in-10 Britons, according to one speaker at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Mental Health Summit Toronto on Nov. 12. Research also found, when looking at publicly funded therapy programs in Australia and England, the goal was to increase access and bridge the gap […]
For employees who have been away from the workplace due to mental illness, providing treatment, reducing stigma and getting employees back to work comes down to workplace culture. “Very simply put, employees who feel valued and supported by their employers return to work,” said Michelle Harper, director of national best practices, wellness, disability and life at […]