Nearly three years have passed since the coronavirus pandemic became a household name. In some ways, March 11, 2020 — the day the World Health Organization declared the global pandemic — feels like yesterday, but in others, it feels like decades ago. In the days, weeks and months since then, the world has irreversibly changed […]
Two Canadian employers explain why it’s important to implement a combination of higher coverage and a variety of practitioners under their plans. Elaine Cheung, director of total rewards at Coke Canada At Coke Canada, employee benefits are key enablers of the overall employee experience. That’s why we listen to our employees and what they need, […]
Between 2019 and 2021, mental-health drug claims skyrocketed among young Canadians, according to a new report by Sun Life Financial Inc. The report, which identified trends using the insurer’s data, found a 24 per cent increase in drug claims to treat mental-health disorders for people aged 30 and under. On the other hand, drug claims […]
Financial education and well-being initiatives are in the spotlight as employees face the stress of multiple financial headwinds — from inflation reaching a 40-year high to the strong likelihood of an impending recession — and search for advice and clarity. “There’s a very strong correlation between financial wellness and mental wellness,” said Dr. Jim Chung […]
Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. is providing employees with coverage for egg freezing and expanding some fertility allowances, as well as introducing gender affirmation coverage. “This is something we’re really proud of because it’s part of our global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy,” says Ksenia Kamenskaya, director of people and culture at RBH. “We want […]
Fluor Canada Ltd.’s manager of Indigenous relations and DEI discussed the post-coronavirus pandemic workplace, employee resource groups and fishing. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Employee engagement can be challenging in the post-[coronavirus] pandemic hybrid working model. We’ve come out of a strictly work-from-home circumstance to a hybrid model and, […]
As the coronavirus crisis enters an endemic phase, employers are beginning to see a return to pre-pandemic levels in paramedical benefits’ usage. During the first eight months of the pandemic, many plan members put off paramedical appointments because they were uncomfortable with non-essential, in-person interactions. In addition, many paramedical services were unavailable due to restrictions […]
Telus Communications Inc. was recognized for supporting employees’ holistic well-being as it took home the award for Health/wellness program for an employer with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. Acknowledging its staff are all somewhere on the well-being continuum and that each person’s situation and goals are […]
Labatt Breweries of Canada’s wide-reaching diversity, equity and inclusion strategy led to a win in the DEI program category at Benefits Canada’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “The whole team is thrilled with the win and that all their hard work and efforts have paid off,” says Robin Doobay, senior manager of total rewards […]
The union representing employees at a Blackburn Media Inc. radio station in Wingham, Ont. has ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes increased benefits and a flexible work schedule. The agreement includes an increase for vision care, from $100 to $300 every 24 months, and an increase in paramedical coverage to an annual maximum of […]