The majority (80 per cent) of Canadian employers say they enhanced their total rewards programs in 2022 to better attract and retain employees, up from 63 per cent in 2020 and 2021, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The survey, which polled more than 450 employers, found 44 per cent […]
Developmental service workers across the Greater Toronto Area are exercising their right to strike after their union — the Service Employees International Union Healthcare — was unsuccessful in securing paid sick days and better wages for employees. The employees, who work for Kerry’s Place, a service provider for families with children, adolescents and adults with autism […]
The union representing more than 60 employees at Right Time Call Centre in St. Catharines, Ont. has ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes bereavement leave enhancements. The agreement will allow employees to use their three paid days of bereavement leave for the death of a stepfather, stepmother or foster parent, as well as the parent […]
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of U.S. employers say they’re increasing salaries and enhancing employee benefits in 2023 amid a tough labour market, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. It found employers are planning to increase wages by an average of 3.9 per cent next year, while […]
The union representing employees at automobile manufacturing company Stellantis’ assembly plants in Windsor, Ont. and Brampton, Ont. has ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes pension and retiree benefits improvements. The agreement will add $1 per hour to the current company pension contribution. Employees earning the current maximum wage rate will see the pension contribution converted […]
Ontario education workers are striking over extended benefits, short-term disability leave and wage increases, among other requests by the workers’ union the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The CUPE is asking the provincial government to provide additional funds to cover the increasing costs of medications and health and dental services, according to the CUPE’s Ontario […]
An article about an open letter that highlighted how proposed amendments to the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act could have a positive impact on defined benefit plan members was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Amendments to insolvency legislation would secure DB pensions, […]
Arthritis Society Canada is supporting female employees by including menopause in its accommodation policy. The policy identifies ways in which a menopausal woman might require similar accommodations as a pregnant woman and includes adjusting an employee’s job responsibilities, finding alternate work and taking leave, says Trish Barbato, president and chief executive officer at Arthritis Society Canada. “I see […]
Thomson Reuters Corp. is marking Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day with the launch of a new mindfulness practice. The practice, called ‘be purposefully present,’ is the result of employee discussions and research conducted throughout the year, says Mary Alice Vuicic, chief people officer at Thomson Reuters. “We [want to help] employees adopt a new […]
Flexibility only goes so far, say two experts, and covers a small part of a healthy and respectful work culture. Tracy Fogale, senior manager of benefits at Kraft Heinz Canada: While flexibility is a critical way to retain employees, particularly women, in the workforce, it can’t tackle systemic issues such as the gender pay gap, […]