Implementing a wellness strategy during the pandemic helped Montreal-based automotive and heavy parts distributor UAP Inc. boost employee engagement, reduce the stigma around mental health for its predominantly male workforce and improve plan members’ financial well-being. In a session during Benefits Canada’s 2025 Healthy Outcomes Conference, Geneviève Hébert (pictured right), the organization’s senior director of […]
Flight Centre Travel Group’s all-encompassing approach to supporting employee mental health landed a win in Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards in the Mental Health Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees. The organization’s ‘deep health model’ focuses on the intersections of mental, emotional, physical, relational, existential and environmental well-being. In particular, mental […]
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s holistic approach to employee mental-health support resulted in a win in the Mental Health Program category for employers with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards. In November 2020, the organization launched a comprehensive mental-health strategy that can detect employees at risk of health issues and support […]
Flight Centre Travel Group’s wide-ranging support of employee well-being earned it a tie for top honours in Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards. The organization was recognized in the Health/Wellness Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees for its Healthwise program, which supports the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of employees. The […]
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s win in the Drug/Benefits Plan Innovation category at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards can be attributed to innovation, of course, but also generosity. According to one judge, the organization’s benefits program is one of the most generous they’ve seen. It includes: 100 per cent coverage on drugs, with […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan was a winner at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards for its absence management program, which excels because the organization manages its benefits plan, wellness program and disability support in the same portfolio. According to one judge, the HOOPP’s prevention and return-to-work practices are leading edge because of the […]
While research so far indicates being a mental-health first aid trainee is neither clearly beneficial or harmful, it’s also important to consider potential risks and ensure there’s oversight and governance. Dr. Bill Howatt, founder of Howatt Human Resources As a trained mental-health professional, I approach mental-health training critically. Mental-health first aid training can be a […]
Most Canadian benefits plan sponsors (89 per cent) and members (73 per cent) agree their workplace environment supports mental wellness, according to the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. On the converse, about a quarter (27 per cent) of plan members disagreed. Despite the mostly positive perspectives, a quarter is still a significant portion of the […]
While the conversation around mental-health benefits is typically focused on coverage levels, it’s important for employers to unpack the entire mental-health bucket and consider the impacts of other factors like psychological safety and diversity, equity and inclusion. Paula Allen, global leader and vice-president of research and client insights at Telus Health, says there’s a great […]
Heading into 2025, the workplace mental-health landscape in Canada continues to transform and grow. Employers continue to recognize that prioritizing mental health is a critical factor in organizational success. Here are three key areas that are shaping the evolution of mental health in the workplace and how employers can take the lead: Breaking the Silence […]