More than a third (38 per cent) of plan sponsors are planning to update their benefits plan design by the end of this year, on par with those that did so in 2020 (39 per cent), according to a survey by Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Ltd. The survey, which polled more than 500 Canadian plan […]
The Council of Parties to the United Nations’ climate convention, known as COP26, which is currently underway in Glasgow has put climate change on the global stage and top of mind for many employers and employees. There are many elements an employer can take into consideration when crafting a benefits strategy — competitiveness in the […]
A new study is urging employers to transition from a traditional focus on employee benefits to one that covers job and work design, management, rewards practices, a commitment to psychological safety and fairness and a culture of employee listening. The Josh Bersin Co., a U.S.-based research and advisory company, examined 91 practices and programs in […]
The deadline for employees in the core federal public service to declare their coronavirus vaccination status was Oct. 29, but unions say there are still many questions about how requests for accommodations will be handled. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat said late last week that 240,000 employees have filed their attestations of their vaccine status to the government, out […]
More than 19 months into the coronavirus pandemic, employers are focusing on enhanced mental-health offerings and streamlined communications for their benefits and pension plans. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 14, the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed the changes brought about by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted their benefits and pensions offerings, while looking […]
The majority of human resources professionals said they believe their organizations’ current benefits and retirement offerings are meeting the needs of a diverse workforce, according to a new survey by Aon. The survey, which polled 262 HR professionals across Canada, found almost three-quarters (74 per cent) said they believe their retirement savings program is sufficient for […]
Workers who lose their job over a refusal to vaccinate against the coronavirus may not be eligible for employment insurance benefits, according to updated guidelines from the federal government. Employment and Social Development Canada has issued a notice to employers enforcing vaccine mandates to help them fill out records of employment, a document needed to […]
Unilever Canada Inc.’s fulsome approach to diversity, equity and inclusion led to its win in the diversity program category at Benefits Canada’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 14. At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Unilever Canada adopted the mantra “we’re navigating the same ocean, in different boats.” The adage, which created a shared sense of […]
Women held 23.4 per cent of the total 4,914 board seats among Canadian companies providing disclosure for 2021 — a steady increase of 2.2 per cent from 2020’s year-end results, according to Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP’s latest diversity report. The report tracked companies subject to the Canada Business Corporations Act that disclosed the number of […]
American Express Co. is eyeing January for the tentative launch of its hybrid working model. In an internal memo, Stephen J. Squeri, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express, said the model will go into effect only in locations where the company makes a full return to the office, likely starting with Germany, the […]