Benefits Canada is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. At a virtual roundtable and awards ceremony on Thursday, 23 finalists gathered to discuss their leading benefits and pension strategies, followed by winner announcements across 10 categories. All of the finalists represent benefits and pension plans covering nearly 300,000 Canadians. These employers are proactively and passionately aiming to […]
With many employers currently planning where employees will work post-coronavirus pandemic, our story on the Royal Bank of Canada’s hybrid work model piqued the interest of Benefits Canada‘s readers, taking the top spot as the most-read story over the past seven days on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. RBC banking […]
The majority (81.5 per cent) of plan members participating in digital wellness programs experienced improvements for a wide range of health indicators across 30 months, according to a new study by the Institute of Health Economics in partnership with Alberta Blue Cross. Equally important, the study found cost savings for benefits plans with a corresponding […]
Lafarge Eastern Canada’s new employee wellness program is highlighting the importance of mental and physical health amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “It was always my intention to promote wellness through my communications, but when the pandemic happened, it was really the time to focus on this,” says Jessica Assaf, manager of corporate communications for Lafarge […]
Employers that don’t cover obesity drugs should ask themselves why, said Noel McKay, principal consultant at Cowan Insurance Group, during Benefits Canada’s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum on Dec. 9, 2020. “Is the risk of driving up benefits costs the reason? If so, I don’t think you have to fear it. Maybe two […]
As remote working continues amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Seneca College is increasingly promoting employee fitness. “Employee fitness has always been a high priority for us, but with the pandemic we’ve been talking about it even more,” says Felisha Ali, project and program coordinator for leadership and employee development at Seneca. She says staff have […]
Wellness apps are becoming an increasingly popular perk for Canadian employers to offer employees, particularly as stress continues to soar as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. CAA Club Group was ahead of the pack, launching its wellness app company-wide in 2018. However, a wide range of meditation and mindfulness apps are available, so plan sponsors have to do […]
Magna International Inc. is using data to personalize its wellness program, increase employee engagement and reduce costs. In 2012, the Canadian automobile parts manufacturer established its own internal health and wellness team. At first, the program focused solely on disseminating basic educational materials, such as quarterly newsletters, posters and handouts, said Dr. Krista Markew, manager […]
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is acquiring integrated talent management firm Optimum Talent Inc. With this acquisition, the Quebec-based company will gain access to Gallagher’s resources, enabling it to further enhance its plan sponsor offerings, noted a press release. As well, the merger will allow Gallagher to expand its reach in the benefits and human resources consulting […]
EQ Care is offering free access to its on-demand mental-health support program to help people cope as Canada endures a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. “Being committed to empathetic and compassionate care for the last 30 years, we recognize the important role EQ Care is privileged to play in improving the health of Canadians during this challenging […]