A large majority (80 per cent) of Canadian employers feel it’s extremely (36 per cent) or somewhat challenging (44 per cent) to provide benefits in today’s economic climate, according to the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. However, three-quarters (77 per cent) of plan sponsors indicated their health benefits plan was extremely or very important to […]
While the recent pullback from diversity, equity and inclusion policies by several large employers may be concerning to some employees, it also provides companies with an opportunity to re-examine their definition of DEI. “I think some [employers] perceive that [DEI] is about lowering the bar or checking a box and not hiring the most qualified […]
Nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) of benefits plan members are experiencing a general sense of loneliness, isolation and social disconnection, according to the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. This result increased significantly among those with self-reported poor mental health (76 per cent), those who had divorced or separated in the past year (74 per cent), […]
More than half (54 per cent) of Canadian employees say affordability is among the top barriers to improving their well-being, according to a new survey by RBC Insurance. The survey, which polled 1,000 working adults, found while nearly all said they need to improve their health and well-being, respondents cited barriers including lack of motivation […]
An article on the Ontario government’s review of preferred pharmacy networks 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. Ontario reviewing impact of preferred pharmacy networks on plan members’ costs, accessibility 2. Canadian employers focusing on workers’ emotional well-being in […]
With flu season around the corner, it’s important for employers to communicate that it’s acceptable to take sick days and prioritize well-being so employees don’t feel guilty taking time off, says Jodi Kovitz, chief executive officer of the Human Resources Professional Association. “It really is on leaders to encourage people to take sick days because it’s […]
With the return of autumn, change is once again in the air. For the last nine months, I’ve lead the editorial team at Benefits Canada while Jennifer Paterson was taking parental leave to welcome the youngest member of her growing family. This month marks the return of our editorial team to full strength — welcome […]
Representatives of family doctors in British Columbia say giving physicians paid sick days, vacation coverage, extended health and dental benefits and a pension plan is one way to help attract more doctors to work in the province. The B.C. College of Family Physicians and B.C. Family Doctors published a series of requests for whichever party […]
One chief executive officer acknowledges that employers have made promising progress, while a human resources director argues more work needs to be done. Jodi Kovitz, chief executive officer of the Human Resources Professionals Association I’m heartened by the progress we’ve made towards gender equity in Canada, particularly in leadership roles. Since 2015, the percentage of […]
When Jennifer Young, a global human resources business solutions consultant at Manulife Financial Corp., found out she was expecting her first child in 2021, she thought the coronavirus pandemic would pose the biggest challenge to a healthy pregnancy. But, like many parents, her journey into motherhood ended up requiring a circle of care dependent on […]