A series of major winter storms that shut down highways, closed schools and prompted travel warnings across parts of Ontario is renewing scrutiny of how employers apply return-to-office policies during emergency situations. During a severe snowstorm earlier this month, an internal memo sent to Ontario public servants by the provincial Ministry of Transportation indicated they […]
An article on the Quebec government’s adoption of legislation for variable payment life annuities 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. Quebec adopts VPLA legislation 2. What employers need to know about provincial changes to sick […]
The new year will bring some big changes to the rules on in-office work for many employees across the country — including tens of thousands of provincial government staff in Ontario and Alberta who will be required back in the office full time. As of Jan. 5, Ontario provincial government employees will be expected to […]
Most Canadian employees support a hybrid approach to office work, with 80 per cent preferring some in-office time and only one in five favouring fully remote work, according to a new survey by Indeed. The survey, which polled more than 1,000 full-time Canadian employees, found a sharp shift from pre-pandemic office norms, with just 34 […]
The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan is continuing to embrace a hybrid working arrangement for employees following positive feedback gathered through internal surveys. In the years since the organization introduced a hybrid arrangement in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, employee satisfaction and happiness has continually increased, says Anna MacDonald, the ASEBP’s director of human […]
“The saying ‘change or die’ has been around forever, but right now, that’s more true than ever,” said Linda Duxbury, a professor at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, during the keynote session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Healthy Outcomes Conference. “We are in extremely unsettled times. The pandemic shook our foundations of how we do a […]
Despite the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus pandemic over in May 2023, the health crisis continues to shape workplaces around the globe. “Before the pandemic, workplaces were more structured and, if something occurred in an employee’s life that meant they couldn’t get into the office, they weren’t working,” says Erin Evans, a benefits and […]
Fengate Asset Management was a winner at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards for its Future of Work strategy, which combines hybrid flexibility with a people-first culture. The financial services company earned the top spot for prioritizing balance, inclusion and employee well-being. “It feels great to secure the win this year after being a finalist […]
Seven in 10 (71 per cent) employers say they’re concerned about meeting candidates’ salary expectations in 2026 and nearly half (46 per cent) say adding new employee benefits and perks will be the most effective strategy for recruiting skilled candidates in the coming year, according to a new report by Robert Half Canada. The report […]
Nearly half (47 per cent) of U.S. employees rate their overall well-being positively, up from 44 per cent in 2024, according to a new survey by Alight Solutions. The survey, which polled more than 2,500 employees, found nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of employees reported positive energy and excitement at work and 66 per cent […]