Why is there a focus on generic drug reform? asked Barbara Martinez, a principal with Mercer, speaking on December 1 during a Mercer webinar entitled “Drug Reform—What’s Next?” According to IMS Health, 54.3% of prescriptions in 2009 were filled with a generic. And, while these may be lower cost than the name brand, generics in […]
Employers must rethink their healthcare priorities for the 21st century, focusing on prevention programs that will reduce the cost associated with critical illnesses, according to speakers at the Toronto Chapter of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists 2010 keynote session in Toronto on November 18 Cancer is the third highest cause for long-term […]
Good communication can be an indicator of financial performance and a driver of the employee experience. For example, companies that communicate effectively have a 19.4% higher market premium and are 20% more likely to report lower turnover rates, said David McCullagh, national practice leader, communications, with Buck Consultants in Toronto. But what is effective communication? […]
It is an employer’s duty to provide a psychologically safe workplace, said Dr. Martin Shain, director and founder of the Neighbour at Work Centre, speaking at the Shepell•fgi Day of Discovery in Toronto on November 5. In law, how we treat mental injury is a relatively new concept, he said. Mental injury is “significant harm […]
When it comes to total attendance and disability management, health and work come full circle. While many employers understand the impact that work has on health, they may need to refocus on the impact employee health has on work. “Our biggest asset is human capital and most important with human capital is health,” said Jean-Marc […]
Benefits Canada presented the key highlights of its 5th annual CAP Member Survey at the CAP Town Hall in Toronto on November 3. This in-person event was a discussion of the survey, which was entitled “Growth Opportunities” and can be found within the pages of the November issue of Benefits Canada.The survey polled more […]
While the economy has wrought havoc on many plan members’ retirement savings, it seems it has been a positive for benefits plans. Three-quarters of respondents in the 2010 sanofi-aventis Healthcare Survey said the recession increased the value they place in their benefits plans. While the economy has wrought havoc on many plan members’ retirement savings, […]
In accommodating an employee with a physical and/or mental disability in the workplace, the employer must follow a number of guidelines, but these should be adapted to each employer’s own approach, said Kevin MacNeill, partner at Heenan Blaikie. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach.” MacNeill and two colleagues from the firm’s National Labour & Employment Law […]
Recordkeepers need to consider governance for defined contribution (DC) plans at three levels: fund, portfolio and platform, said Nick Iarocci, vice-president, investment program, with the Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada, speaking Wednesday at the third annual DC Investment Forum in Toronto. The Fund Level Governance at the fund level means measuring what the fund […]
Do we have a great healthcare system in this country? Yes, we do, said Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, chair of the Ivey Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership, speaking to The Economic Club in Toronto on Friday. “But by applying fresh thinking and innovative ideas within the system itself, it could be even better.” The […]