An important part of a workplace wellness program is supporting employees’ physical fitness, but Rocky Mountain Soap Co. isn’t just encouraging its employees to be active — it pays them to do it. Since 2011, the soap maker has offered 45-minute morning fitness classes three times a week to employees at its Canmore, Alta. headquarters. […]
Starbucks Coffee Co. is offering eligible employees in the U.S. access to 20 free mental-health sessions per year beginning April 6. Through provider Lyra Health Inc., employees will be able to meet with a therapist or coach in-person or via video. They’ll also be able to access self-guided online programs recommended by the provider based […]
All Canadian employers should assume at least one employee will test positive for the coronavirus, said Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, medical director at virtual health-care company Wello, during a webinar this week. “We all have to brace for this new normal and we all have to brace for the moment when every [business] will have at […]
Ontario’s new publicly funded cognitive behavioural therapy program is likely to complement, not replace, the CBT offerings that are currently available through group benefits plans, say experts. Last week, the Ontario government announced it will invest $20 million to launch Mindability, which it will roll out in the spring and further expand in the fall. The program will provide […]
The majority (90 per cent) of Canadian employers now offer at least one non-insurance benefit such as paid time off, employee assistance programs or flexible working, according to a new survey by business research organization LIMRA Inc. The survey found paid time off was by far the most popular non-insurance benefit for employers of all sizes to offer, with […]
In any industry, conferences are a great opportunity for continuing education and connecting with others — such as the 20-plus conferences hosted by Benefits Canada each year — but many people find these events overwhelming. They take us out of our daily routine and can be emotionally and mentally draining. Early wakeup times and evening events […]
League Inc. has beefed up its offerings with the addition of six partners across its health programs, digital wallet and health concierge team. The new partners include: mindfulness session provider eMindful Inc; caregiver support provider Rethink Benefits; mental-health benefits company Inkblot Technologies Inc. and virtual health coaching company Vida Health Inc. In addition, digital therapy company MindBeacon […]
Since my last two editorials have targeted issues around pension plan design and retirement readiness, I’m balancing things out this month by turning my attention to benefits. Fortunately, I have strong opinions on the topic of this month’s cover story. Since I joined Benefits Canada four years ago, I’ve noticed that paramedical benefits — and […]
Historically, Epcor Utilities Inc. provided employees with $1,000 in annual coverage for each paramedical service, ranging from massage therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors to speech therapists, naturopaths and dieticians. But in 2018, the Edmonton-based utilities company looked at its annual paramedical costs and found its massage therapy spend had ballooned to nearly match the cost of […]
CSA Group’s vice-president of total rewards talks mental health, well-being programs and travelling with her family. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. We’re in 13 countries and we have some global programs — our employee assistance program and business travel accident [insurance] — but then we also have to develop […]