Canadian benefits plan sponsors are anticipating an average medical trend rate of 8.3 per cent in 2026, up from 7.4 per cent in 2025, according to a new report by Aon. The report, which analyzed data from plan sponsors across 112 countries, found medical plan costs worldwide will rise by an average of 9.8 per […]
An article on how winter weather impacts employers’ return-to-office and hybrid work policies was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Winter weather exposing cracks in return-to-office flexibility: expert 2. Tribunal rules employer’s conduct creating emotional discomfort […]
UAP Inc. is supporting employee financial well-being and retirement readiness with an enhanced retirement toolkit. The toolkit contains a range of information for employees approaching retirement, from financial preparation — including information on the company’s pension and budgeting tips — to the potential impact on mental health that can take place after exiting a full-time […]
Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of Canadian job seekers expect it will be difficult to find a job in the next six months, a significant increase from the same time last year (62 per cent), according to a new survey by the Harris Poll on behalf of Express Services Inc. The survey, which polled more […]
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has ruled an employers’ conduct that creates mere emotional discomfort for employees during the accommodation process may not amount to discrimination. “What emerges from the Cillis v. Hamilton decision is an objective standard requiring employers to act reasonably, not perfectly,” says Jeff Goodman, a commercial employment law partner at […]
As dermatological treatments move up the ranking of conditions with the highest paid drug claims, they’ve become increasingly significant for private drug plan sponsors, according to Frances Lehun, a pharmacist with pharmaceutical expertise in high-cost drug management at Beneva. During a session at the 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, she said this […]
Generation Z workers are facing greater mental-health difficulties and increasing rates of chronic disease compared to other age groups, according to a new report by Sun Life Financial Inc. The report, which drew data from more than 20,000 employers and more than three million plan members, found more than 50 per cent of gen-Zers’ long-term […]
Two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadian workers say their manager’s support for work-life balance hasn’t changed over the past year, while a quarter (24 per cent) say it has improved and 12 per cent say their manager is less supportive, according to Telus Health’s latest mental-health index. The survey, which polled roughly 3,000 employees, found […]
A survey of older Canadian employees by the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University 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. 22% of older Canadians have saved $5,000 or less for retirement: survey 2. […]
Employers can appoint mental-health champions, use engaging communications and schedule learning sessions with their employee assistance programs to provide support during Blue Monday and year-round, says Chris Gory, employee benefits advisor at Orchard Benefits. It’s important to appoint a mental-health champion within the company to promote the EAP, notes Gory. Additionally, employers can create informative […]