While climate change is exacerbating employees’ pre-existing health challenges, workers aren’t always making the link between these health impacts and the support provided in their group benefits plan, says Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice-president at Sun Life Health. “Employers have a great opportunity to continue to support employees by raising awareness of the supports available. A […]
As society’s view on gender identity continues to evolve, so too does the role of gender in shaping the world. A 2023 report by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries examined the impact of gender on actuarial considerations, including longevity risk in pension plans. The CIA’s report followed a 2021 decision by the Superior Court of […]
Amazon.com is supporting employee education by pre-paying 100 per cent of tuition, up to a yearly maximum, for college programs offered through its Career Choice program. Employees will no longer pay a five per cent contribution to tuition costs and the company has also expedited the eligibility period for employees to participate in the program […]
For Ontario employers, pay equity compliance journey is an ongoing process and not a one-and-done exercise, said Will Lamond, a principal in the compensation practice at Normandin Beaudry, during a webinar on best pay equity practices in the province. Ontario’s Pay Equity Act requires employers with 10 or more employees to maintain equivalent levels of […]
Amazon Canada is marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation tomorrow by promoting awareness and engaging with workers on the topic through its company intranet and Indigenous employee resource group. The online retailer is providing educational resources through its internal channels and promoting ways that employees can support Indigenous-owned businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Read: […]
While there are no specific laws preventing workplace romance, company executives are often held to higher standards than frontline employees through employer policies — particularly when a relationship can have a financial impact on an organization, says Daniel Lublin, founding partner at Whitten & Lublin. “There is an area of law that applies to fiduciaries, […]
Amid the increase in frequency and severity of wildfires in Canada, new employment legislation in Quebec could more effectively support employees working remotely in rural areas that are impacted by these natural disasters, says Sarah-Émilie Dubois, a senior associate in the employment and labour group at Dentons Canada LLP. The legislation, introduced this spring as […]
When updating their benefits program, some employers may be hesitant to cut offerings due to a lack of clarity around which benefits are most valued by employees, says Grant Boissonneault, assistant vice-president and relationship lead at Aon. “While benefits programs are intended to support employee well-being and engagement, organizations often rely on assumptions or outdated […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan is taking a holistic approach to creating a menopause-inclusive workplace by providing benefits and resources for employees experiencing menopause while reducing stigma around the topic. The employer offers benefits such as hormone replacement therapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy and, in January, it launched a health-care spending account that allows […]
Amid a push to open U.S. capital accumulation plans to direct investments in private assets, it’s important for plan sponsors and members to take a cautious approach, says Andrew Kitchen, head of Canadian distribution for MFS Investment Management Canada Ltd. This month, the U.S. federal government introduced legislation that would permit CAP members to directly […]