More than half (52 per cent) of Canadian employers said they’re concerned or very concerned about the implications of legalized marijuana on the workplace, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada. A third (33 per cent) of respondents said they’re slightly concerned and 15 per cent said they aren’t concerned at all. Among those concerned, 57 per cent cited workplace […]
From pharmacare to analytics, plan sponsors heard about the big issues on the horizon for their benefits plans at Benefits Canada‘s Calgary Benefits Summit. Presenters at the May 29 event took the audience through a range of topics, including the implications of marijuana legalization and new developments in health-care delivery. And two years after the […]
The Great-West Life Assurance Co. is providing a bike pavilion to employees who commute on two wheels to its head office in Winnipeg. With storage for up to 162 bicycles, the covered pavilion spans 1,800 square feet. It features a two-tier rack system to store the bikes, a pneumatic lift to help employees get their bicycle to […]
A quarter (26 per cent) of Canadian workers said the biggest downside of remote working is feeling isolated or missing out on the team environment, according to a new survey by staffing firm Robert Half Canada Inc. Other drawbacks included people abusing the benefit and not sticking to working hours (20 per cent); interpersonal relationships suffering because […]
A Quebec-based not-for-profit organization is suggesting a series of public policy proposals to encourage fathers in the province to take more parental leave and prompt employers to focus more on work-life balance. The Regroupement pour la valorisation de la paternité has identified five specific challenges faced by fathers. In the case of parental leave, it noted that fathers in […]
Walmart Inc. is introducing an education benefit for its employees in the United States and Puerto Rico, allowing workers to pursue degrees in business and supply chain management. “We’ve been very deliberate about our investment in our associates over the past few years,” wrote Erica Jones, senior manager of corporate communications, in an email to […]
Expanded leave of absence entitlements in British Columbia, including parental and compassionate leave, took effect at the end of May. The changes to the province’s Employment Standards Act allow mothers to start their maternity leave as early as 13 weeks before their expected due date, which is up from the previous 11 weeks. The province also […]
Almost 50 per cent of Canadian employers commonly give promotions without an increase in salary, according to a survey by OfficeTeam. The survey, which polled 300 human resources managers and more than 1,000 Canadian office workers older than 18, found that the number of employers offering promotions without salary hikes rose to 47 per cent this year […]
Life doesn’t always happen outside of business hours. Everyone experiences the challenges of managing elements of their personal lives while being physically and mentally present at work. Employers understand the importance of helping their workers manage work and life obligations, and many have policies and practices in place to help them attain that balance. In many ways, […]
Despite not yet announcing its election platform, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party may have the greatest potential for affecting pensions and benefits in Ontario. “The Conservatives’ broad focus on balancing the budget, which may result in their rationalizing OHIP and delisting some services, represents the real impact potential in this election,” says Anneliesje Warner, a health […]