With the return of autumn, change is once again in the air. For the last nine months, I’ve lead the editorial team at Benefits Canada while Jennifer Paterson was taking parental leave to welcome the youngest member of her growing family. This month marks the return of our editorial team to full strength — welcome […]
From 2016 to 2024, fewer plan members are confident they’ve saved enough for retirement. Indeed, Benefits Canada’s 2024 CAP Member Survey found plan members’ optimism that their retirement is on track declined to 56 per cent from 63 per cent in 2022, while three-quarters (73 per cent) said they’re worried they won’t have enough saved […]
While hybrid and remote working arrangements can help some employees be more productive, it’s important that employers don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when implementing these policies, says Kristin Bower, a partner and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant at Leda HR. “[Implementing a successful remote working policy] takes intentionality and human connection. . . . It’s […]
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Canadian employers say employees’ emotional well-being continues to be their main wellness focus as they navigate challenges posed by workplace mental-health concerns and hybrid working arrangements, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The survey, which polled more than 400 employers, found roughly a […]
After several years of development, two long-awaited national health-care initiatives are finally taking shape, raising questions about their impact to employer-sponsored benefits plans. In May, the Canadian Dental Care Plan was officially rolled out, providing dental coverage to Canadians who don’t have access to private dental insurance and whose annual net family income is less […]
One actuary says social and technological factors are changing the concept of retirement, while another notes the fundamentals remain the same. Michel St-Germain, retired actuary, fellow and past president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries Yogi Berra once said: “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Millennials will be retiring in 25 years, but not […]
While the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on public health and the global economy dominated the news cycle in recent years, there has been no shortage of incidents that draw awareness to social disparities the world over, from the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020 to the ongoing discovery of unmarked graves at Canada’s […]
One consultant says these campaigns are informing employers’ strategic decision-making, while another stresses the importance of ensuring employees understand the reason for marking these occasions. Michelle Grocholsky, founder and chief executive officer, Empowered EDI Many employers are aligning these monthly campaigns to support and advance strategic diversity, equity and inclusion actions. For example, employee storytelling campaigns […]
While employers in the financial services industry have made some progress in attracting diverse talent across the traditionally male-dominated sector, there’s still a long way to go. To this end, BNP Paribas is widening its talent pool and supporting a diverse workforce through a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion strategy that encompasses recruitment, leadership training […]
Flight Centre Travel Group’s pair of wins in the 2023 Workplace Benefits Awards is reminding employees of the mental and physical wellness offerings available through the company’s benefits plan, says Anna Fisher, the organization’s health and wellness director. “I think, too, that the awards have provided validation for our employees that we do want to […]