Mental health is a growing concern both in and out of the workplace, and employees with these issues often need days to deal with them. Paula Allen, vice-president of research and analytics at Morneau Shepell Ltd., suggests employers provide employees with workplace flexibility because “we’re not robots.” Specifically, she supports and encourages mental-health days, though she believes the real promise and […]
The Swedish word “tack” translates to “thank you,” which is precisely what IKEA is saying to employees with its Tack! loyalty program. In Canada, the program operates as a deferred profit-sharing plan and is part of employees’ total rewards package. “The [program] was launched in 2013 based on the wish of IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad […]
Perceptions of the stigma around receiving professional psychological help can be a barrier to seeking out mental-health services, according to a new study. The study, which was published by the Employee Assistance Trade Association’s EASNA Research Notes, looked into perceptions of stigma in relation to seeking help from employee assistance programs in a sample of […]
Whether it direct or indirect, mental illness affects everyone. Beyond an individual’s personal suffering, which can range from mild to severe, the effects are also felt by their families, as well as their employers. Fortunately, many organizations are looking for new ways to proactively care for their employees’ whole health, including their mental health. Roughly half a million Canadians miss […]
With employer-provided health benefits costs expected to increase globally in 2020, mental and behavioural conditions are predicted to become more common over the next five years, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. The annual survey of global medical insurers found health-care costs are expected to rise at a similar rate as previous […]
While nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Canadian plan sponsors believe their benefits plans meet current workforce diversity needs, 87 per cent noted employee expectations for benefits and the workplace have changed, according to a survey from Aon. Today’s employees expect more flexible working hours (84 per cent), support to achieve work-life balance (79 per […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is partnering with the Canadian Football League Players’ Association to make its LifeWorks platform available to the league’s players. LifeWorks is a total well-being platform that supports users’ mental, physical, social and financial well-being. It will be provided to CFL players as part of the CFLPA Academy, which already offers career transition programs. Players […]
Both absenteeism and presenteeism affect employers’ bottom lines and employee morale, but does one have more impact on the workplace? Julie Holden, principal at Holden & Associates Ltd. In many ways, employee absence is a major disruption to the workplace and it has become much more complex over the years. On one hand, there’s the […]
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is taking its employees’ mental health seriously. Four years ago, it implemented a strategy to focus on building awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging self-care and wellness. This started with one-on-one mental-health first aid training for all employees, says Laleh Moshiri, the Toronto-based law firm’s national director of diversity and inclusion. “Raising […]
Flexible office spaces and co-working locations could contribute more than $13.7 billion to local Canadian economies in the next decade as they become more prevalent outside of major urban centres, according to a new study commissioned by global flexible working space firm Regus. The study found, on average, 144 new jobs are created in Canadian communities […]