Over the past year, a number of employers have mandated that employees return to the physical office, citing the need for in-person collaboration and social connection. The demand begs the question — will employees, who are begrudgingly reintegrating long commutes and daycare drop-offs and pickups back into their workday, be as engaged and productive as […]
The coronavirus pandemic put mental health squarely on employers’ agendas and this focus on employee well-being is even more important as some organizations return to in-person work. In 2023, employers will continue to re-evaluate how they support their employees and it’s likely many organizations will provide increased flexibility, such as remote working options or a […]
Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of U.S. employers say they offer hybrid work arrangements, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The survey, which polled more than 500 employers, found 55 per cent said they offer fully remote working arrangements while 57 per cent offer flexible work hours. In […]
More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of Canadian workers with disabilities say they don’t feel valued at work, according to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index. The survey’s respondents reported an overall mental-health score of 64.3, down slightly from 64.9 in October. Apart from optimism (66.4), all mental-health scores declined from October to November, with anxiety […]
As the coronavirus crisis moves into an endemic phase, employers are diligently rebuilding their workplaces to suit the new working environment that’s emerged from this cataclysmic disruption. In the meantime, Canadians are facing the rising cost of living and trying to balance the responsibilities in their work and family lives. In the face of all […]
Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of U.S. workers say their financial stress increased in 2022, according to a new survey by the Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. The survey, which polled more than 900 employees, found more than half (56 per cent) said their financial stress negatively impacted their mental health, a percentage that increased […]
The autumn is typically a busy one for the industry, but this year was especially eventful over at Benefits Canada. After a brief hiatus, the long-standing Healthy Outcomes Conference returned in October. This year, it was an in-person event designed for employers to exchange ideas and best practices for achieving improved employee health outcomes. Nearly […]
Hybrid work and the rise of the four-day workweek are among the factors shaping employers’ well-being and mental-health strategies in 2023, says Laura Putnam, founder of wellness consultancy Motion Infusion. “These trends point to not only a rise in the recognition of the importance of well-being at work, but there’s also a recognition that check-the-box […]
An article on how Canada compares to other countries in terms of its vacation day offering was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Canada ranks 39 out of 43 countries for vacation day offering: report 2. Coke Canada expanding coverage for mental-health, family-building […]
After a brief hiatus, Benefits Canada’s long-standing Healthy Outcomes Conference returned as an in-person event designed for employers to exchange ideas and best practices for achieving improved employee health outcomes. Nearly 85 employers gathered at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto on Oct. 18 to hear from several panels discussing themes that are currently […]