Karley Middleton is a health and performance consultant at Hub International in Winnipeg.
These views are those of the author and not necessarily those of Benefits Canada.
Karley Middleton is a health and performance consultant at Hub International in Winnipeg.
These views are those of the author and not necessarily those of Benefits Canada.
In an art gallery, people often recognize and appreciate the arrangement of the pieces as much as the works of art themselves. When employers offer voluntary benefits, they’re hoping that employees appreciate the offering. Above and beyond that, if plan members recognize the program as a customized suite of benefits that supports their unique needs, even better. Another conclusion […]
Voluntary benefits are the ‘choose your own adventure’ of the insurance world. For readers who remember and enjoyed those novels, they felt empowered by their inclusion in how the story played out. The same principle applies when selecting personal benefits. Voluntary benefits allow an individual employee to secure additional coverage or preferred pricing outside of any […]
When it comes to living through any stressful and uncertain time, routine is one of the unsung heroes. In a situation like the current coronavirus pandemic, routine provides reassurance that, even though entire countries are facing various degrees of hardship and uncertainty, we can still appreciate constants in our lives. The level of drastic change will […]
Retirement is a time in every employee’s life that evokes a number of emotions: anticipation, excitement, fear, stress, anxiety and relief, among others. The positive emotions are amplified when planning has taken place to remove the stress, fear and anxiety, so it’s important that people considering retirement aren’t leaving preparation to the last minute, especially not the month or […]
People know they shouldn’t be smoking, just as they know they need to move their bodies more, eat real food and save for retirement. But a lack of care for total health may be preventing change around these habits. Do people truly believe something out there — science, celebrity miracle programs or some higher power — will suddenly save them […]
It wouldn’t be reasonable to proceed with a blood transfusion without first confirming blood type, or order eyeglasses without first confirming the prescription. Why then, do so many organizations launch a workplace wellness program without first confirming the actual health risk areas applicable to their employee population, as well as the cost drivers to the benefits […]
May is the perfect time of year to address employees’ financial health, as they’ve just gone through the stress of filing their tax returns. As well, May 7-13 is Mental Health Week in Canada, so employees will be seeing an abundance of resources to support their challenges, encourage new behaviours and improve their situations. Good financial health […]
Financial drain, emotional turbulence and tested physical limits are common challenges in the early months of the year. For employees to successfully transition out of that state towards a year of productivity, health and growth, they need to feel supported in prioritizing taking care of themselves. One issue that commonly comes up in the early months is how […]
Once simply considered a dismissive solution to life’s woes, “just walk it off” can become a message with a proactive purpose, as well as a way to resolve conflict in the workplace. A benefit to both physical and mental health, walking is ideal for any fitness and commitment level. Employers would be wise to promote […]
The season is changing as the long, carefree, lazy days of summer are wrapping up. Everyone is preparing for a change in weather, as well as their own mood, behaviour and stress levels. This time of year produces some of the highest stress levels for Canadians — even more than the holidays — and it […]
As 2021 winds down, I have a few predictions of the human resources trends for employers to keep top of mind in 2022. Employers finding…
Words and imagery have the power to connect, evoke emotion and elicit a reaction. They also have the power to be inclusive, or exclusive, and…
It’s often said perception is reality and that’s definitely true when it comes to benefits plans. If employees can’t easily perceive the value in their…
How long is your attention span? Be honest and think back to the last time you received an email about your employee benefits and didn’t…
In a recent case, the Ontario Superior Court found an employee failed to mitigate damages when he refused a return-to-work offer from his employer, with whom he…
Many of the changes that were introduced to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act in January 2018 were short-lived, as the province’s new government elected in June…
With the legalization of recreational cannabis on Oct. 17, 2018, employers have been preparing to answer questions about whether their current benefits plans should provide…
In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found an employer didn’t constructively dismiss a long-service employee when it provided her with 18 months…
On Oct. 17, 2018, it will be legal to purchase and consume recreational cannabis in Canada. In a recent survey of Mercer’s employer clients and Canadian employees, we found…
Some organizations are unique. Their employees are genuinely excited to be at work and an undercurrent of energy and vitality permeates the air. They’ve transformed the…
While many Canadian organizations continue to search for solutions to rising health-care costs, most are falling short. That’s why they must investigate any opportunity to find…
Macroeconomic trends such as longer lives, a lack of access to pensions and retirement supports, a low-growth environment, and persistent lack of financial literacy and…
Administering a pension plan involves the accumulation of large amounts of data in the form of documents, filings, reports, emails and letters. At some point,…
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week — Unmasking Mental Health — is a reminder that many people in the workplace feel pressured to…
Heading into 2025, the workplace mental-health landscape in Canada continues to transform and grow. Employers continue to recognize that prioritizing mental health is a critical…
Most employees have experienced the powerful impact, whether positive or negative, that a manager can have on their work experience and overall well-being. As conversations…
Taking a break is always a good idea for employees, whether it’s a mid-morning stretch, a walk around the block, a lunch break in the…
Economic uncertainty, including the potential for new U.S. tariffs, is prompting businesses to review their workforce strategies and benefits policies to remain resilient. While employers…
Various forms of digital health care have been available in Canada for several years, but I’d argue nothing has accelerated the awareness, need and adoption…
Anyone who’s ever run a marathon or completed an endurance race or trek knows the last few miles are the hardest, both physically and mentally.…
Any do-it-yourself handyman’s toolbox isn’t complete without a roll a flexible multi-purpose cloth adhesive that has unlimited uses — a.k.a. duct tape. It’s been used…
The previous year was an interesting one in the world of employee benefits plans. Over the previous 12 months, employers have navigated the explosion of…
Most employers look to get feedback from their employees on a variety of topics that touch on the worker experience. Valuable information can be found…
Canadian employers have taken important steps forward on a range of diversity, equity and inclusion matters. That work continues, particularly in the context of neurodiversity,…
Between 2000 and 2022, the average retirement age among Canadians climbed from 61.6 to 64.6, the highest it’s been since 1982, according to data from…
With the start of a new year, there are several developments and trends that will likely impact Canadian pension plan sponsors in 2025. Implementation of…
The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ guideline for risk management provides that plan administrators should create a framework to identify, evaluate, manage and monitor…
One of the many consequences of the coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented interest in the life expectancy of Canadians. While the increased focus on life…
With the arrival of the new year, there are three topics that will be important for pension plan sponsors, members and other industry stakeholders in…
According to Statistics Canada, 80 per cent of Canadian public sector workers benefit from a respectable, life-long pension. However, for many private sector employees the…
The total portfolio approach is gaining interest as a new investing strategy for pension funds and other asset owners, but its novel status may be…
Driven by the net-zero pledge towards green investments, institutional investors are finding themselves uncomfortably wedged between a rock and a hard place. If they invest…
Retiring baby boomers are in an era of decumulation anxiety, as they convert their pension assets into income that they fear won’t hold up over…
According to an old adage, the fish rots from the head down. With the chief executive officer being the head of a corporation, are there…
Renowned American businessman and investor Charlie Munger once said, “You have to keep learning if you want to become a great investor. When the world…
What’s the right definition of risk in financial markets? Finding the answer to this question has become even more important because the number of retail…
What’s the value of Bitcoin? Or better, what makes it valuable? Is it because many people think it’s valuable? Is it valuable because it’s cool…
An altering macroeconomic environment means that cost management requires continual attention by pension plans and other institutional investors. Today, as inflation and higher-for-longer rates exert…
Even though it has been two years since the U.S. Federal Reserve started rapidly hiking interest rates, hedge fund managers aren’t more likely to have…
It should come as no surprise that asset owner sentiment is currently dominated by late-cycle tensions. Among pension plans and other institutional investors, this has…
The recent pressure put on Canadian pensions plans from private managers and governments to re-discover an investment home bias has been met with little enthusiasm,…
Severe inflation is on the horizon and plan sponsors should be prepared.
The decision by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board this month to reduce 10 per cent of its China equity team based in Hong Kong…
Reports that a leading asset manager is delaying the launch of a Chinese bond fund indefinitely are a clear sign that the facade around Chinese…
With the repatriation of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor following their three-year incarceration in China, relations between Ottawa and Beijing are to be reset.…
It’s a welcome development that so many pension fund managers are increasingly preoccupied with the ethical implications of their investments and incorporating data to ensure…
With 2024 well underway, it’s important for employers to adapt their strategies in the ever-evolving landscape of employee benefits. Employee expectations continue to evolve and…
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how pension case law will evolve in future, one can offer an educated guess at some legislative developments and…
A recent court decision in Ontario illustrates the potential danger for employers that attempt to rely on pension plan terms to refute claims for pension-related…
In January, the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities established a new committee with a mandate to develop a risk management guidance. In the CAPSA’s…
The importance of risk management isn’t new for the majority of defined benefit pension plan sponsors and administrators. The impact of long-term interest rates, market…
Canada’s most recent census found there are 59,460 Canadians aged 15 or older who identify as transgender and 41,355 who identified as non-binary. However, these individuals…
The concept of employee benefits was established on a foundation built decades ago, when employees worked full time and long term with one employer. Those…
Amid an ongoing labour shortage, employers of all sizes and sectors are increasingly embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. A recent Statistics Canada report found, as…
Microaggressions — everyone has heard them or may have even used them. Defined as everyday verbal and behavioural slights against a person or group that…
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are esteemed values held by many employers and are table stakes in the value proposition for employees and customers. However, in…
In Canada, the coronavirus pandemic is entering a new phase — vaccines are widely available, travel restrictions are gradually lifting and people are returning to…
For most Canadians, it’s been well over a year since most of the country went into its first lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. I…
In December 2022, the Supreme Court of Justice of Colombia released an unexpected decision: two men, who had been in a polyamorous relationship with a…
While pension plan administrators know about their plan members’ employment history and salaries, they may not expect to learn much about their personal lives, including how…
Whether they’re delivering takeout, chauffeuring passengers, or fixing leaky sinks, most gig workers in Canada don’t get benefits. Classified as independent contractors rather than employees,…
In August, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported that the U.K. Department for Works and Pensions cut off state pension payments to several expatriate pensioners living…
With the increased focus on integrating environmental, social and governance factors into pension plans, a new approach by BlackRock Inc. could have a significant impact on…
At the start of every new year, many employees resolve to improve their fitness — emotionally, financially and/or physically. One pretty easy way that employers…
The modern economy is highly uncertain, with inflation and rising interest rates cutting into bottom lines everywhere. Employers are nervous as the cost of capital…
We are now in Month 14 of the coronavirus pandemic. For institutional investors like pension plans, this pandemic and its consequences highlight the reality of…