When Lisa, a 46-year-old marketing manager, started experiencing perimenopause, her career took a hit. Dealing with brain fog, sleep disruption and hot flashes, she shifted to a four-day workweek, cutting her income by 20 per cent, and also started to contemplate an early retirement. Her doctor dismissed her symptoms as just a part of aging […]
As cases of measles continue to climb across Canada, employers can support employee health and productivity by educating workers on vaccines and encouraging them to maintain up-to-date vaccinations, says Ajit Johal, a community pharmacist, clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and founder of vaccine education non-profit organization immunize.io. “A healthy workforce is […]
Two-thirds (64 per cent) of global employees in the ‘sandwich generation’— defined as those who are caring for young children and ageing parents — say they’ve experienced depression and anxiety, according to a new report by wellness platform Cleo. The report, based on more than 12,000 user assessments, found among the sandwich generation, half (51 […]
For the past 10 years, Benefits Canada’s Chronic Disease at Work conference has examined the current trends in chronic disease in Canada and what they mean for plan sponsors. Hosted in a virtual format on Feb. 12, the 2025 conference explored several chronic diseases, as well as their impacts on the workplace and the role of employers […]
Obesity is one of the most misunderstood diseases, with stigma and judgement contributing to the misconceptions, said Lisa Schaffer, executive director at Obesity Canada, during a session supported by Eli Lilly Canada at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Chronic Disease at Work conference. Obesity is associated with more than 200 chronic illnesses and nearly one in three […]
Alzheimer’s disease should be an urgent health-care priority because it robs individuals of their autonomy, dignity and quality of life and takes a mental, physical and financial toll on the individual and their families, according to Dr. Sara Mitchell, a cognitive neurologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Speaking during a session supported by Eisai Canada […]
Treating obesity with all available evidence-based tools ultimately costs less than not treating it, according to panellists during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada and sponsored by Eli Lilly Canada Inc. in collaboration with Obesity Canada. Dr. Akshay Jain (pictured right), a clinical and research endocrinologist, provided an overview of obesity — a chronic, progressive, […]
Two-fifths (40 per cent) of U.S. workers with employer-provided health benefits reported delaying care due to cost, which negatively impacted their mental health, workplace culture and productivity, according to a new survey by research group Nonfiction on behalf of health-care provider Paytient. The survey, which polled more than 1,500 U.S. workers with health insurance through […]
On Nov. 7, Benefits Canada hosted its annual Mental Health Summit, the industry’s most popular and well-known conference in this space. Designed for our audience of employers and the advisors who consult with them, this virtual event covered key areas including links to disease impacts, treatment options and much more. Here’s what you missed! Positive work relationships […]
If absenteeism is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to employees’ mental health and well-being, presenteeism is the bulky underwater mass, said William Lindsay, senior disability management advisor at Desjardins Insurance, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Mental Health Summit. While absenteeism — defined as an employee being repeatedly absent for more than half a day — is […]