U.S. employer health-care costs are projected to climb 9.5 per cent in 2026, pushing average plan costs above US$17,000 per employee, according to a new report by Aon. The report draws on the firm’s health value initiative database, which tracks plan costs and designs for more than 1,000 employers covering 7.7 million employees and US$120 […]
Nearly 70 per cent of Canadian employers expect economic factors will have a moderate to significant impact on their compensation decisions in 2026, according to Mercer’s latest compensation planning survey. The survey, which polled more than 500 Canadian companies in July, found employers are focusing on salary benchmarking (63 per cent) and communications of total […]
The workplace has evolved considerably in the last decade and compensation alone no longer defines how employees measure their experience. While salary remains important, it’s only one part of a much broader picture. Professionals today are seeking a more holistic value proposition —one that reflects their individual needs, promotes shared purpose and aligns with their […]
The organization’s chief human resources officer discusses innovative caregiver support, early wage access and how SE Health is tackling workforce housing concerns. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: One of the most exciting initiatives we’ve recently launched is a caregiver benefit that’s designed specifically for our employees who are […]
The Canadian National Railway Co. is appointing Frederic Bessette as director of compensation strategy. Before taking a career break between October 2024 and May 2025, he was director of total rewards at Canfor Forest Products Ltd. In that role, he led the organization to a win at Benefits Canada‘s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards in the […]
While the conversation around mental-health benefits is typically focused on coverage levels, it’s important for employers to unpack the entire mental-health bucket and consider the impacts of other factors like psychological safety and diversity, equity and inclusion. Paula Allen, global leader and vice-president of research and client insights at Telus Health, says there’s a great […]
Roughly two-thirds (64 per cent) of Canadian employees say they want a higher salary for their position, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled 1,500 professionals, found nearly all (92 per cent) were also concerned that inflation is going to outpace any salary increases. Indeed, David Bolton, a […]
Promoting employee financial awareness and retirement readiness amid the rising cost of living is a priority for the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council in 2025, says Cheldon Angus, co-chair of the CPPLC and chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program. “More and more these days, employers are prioritizing their financial literacy education for […]
Mergers and acquisitions can give rise to many legal and financial complexities related to executive compensation. “The key thing from acquirers’ point of view is to understand what their objectives are with respect to executive compensation,” says Elizabeth Boyd, a pensions, benefits and executive compensation partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. “Decisions must be […]
Three-quarters (75 per cent) of Canadian employers and 66 per cent of U.S. employers say employee productivity is a key focus for 2025, with most planning to align total rewards — specifically compensation — with productivity metrics, according to a new survey by Hub International Ltd. The survey, which polled 900 employers across North America, […]