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Work still to be done to address mental-health risks in the workplace: 2024 BCHS report launch

Benefits plan sponsors’ efforts to reduce stigma around mental-health challenges and encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work are bearing fruit, said benefits and wellness experts during Benefits Canada’s launch event for the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. The survey found three-quarters of plan members and 87 per cent of plan sponsors agreed […]

  • September 25, 2024 September 23, 2024
  • 09:00

How BDO’s Do What You Love program is helping employees pursue their passions

BDO Canada LLP employees who are considering taking a pottery course, planning a family vacation or even booking a caterer for their wedding can get a little financial assistance from the company’s newest benefit. The consultancy’s Do What You Love program, which launched in 2022, provides plan members with a set annual reimbursement amount for […]

  • August 9, 2024 August 19, 2024
  • 08:58

2024 Mental Health Summit: How plan sponsors can support grieving employees

People going through the loss of a loved one often worry they’re not grieving in the right way if their experience differs from their and others’ expectations of what grief looks like, said Deborah McLeod, clinical director at Carepath Inc., during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. Grief is a highly individualized process […]

  • July 16, 2024 July 11, 2024
  • 07:56

2024 Mental Health Summit: What’s contributing to declining percentage of LTD claims?

A decline in the number of long-term disability claims over the past three years may be the result of some employees prioritizing their financial health over physical and mental wellness, said William Lindsay, senior disability management advisor for Desjardins Insurance’s disability management and prevention team, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health Summit in June. The […]

  • July 16, 2024 July 11, 2024
  • 07:55

2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit: A look at post-pandemic paramedical, drug claims

There has seen a “huge increase” in mental-health practitioner claims following the coronavirus pandemic, said Sylvana Leclerc, organizational health consultant for integrated health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. Citing findings from the insurer’s annual Health by Design report, she said in 2022, […]

  • July 8, 2024 July 3, 2024
  • 07:58

2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit: What should plan sponsors know about covering obesity drugs?

With obesity now understood to be a chronic health condition, it’s time for plan sponsors to revisit their approach to weight loss medications, said Philippe Laplante, principal for pension and benefits at Eckler Ltd., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. The conversation about extending coverage to new, high-cost anti-obesity […]

  • July 8, 2024 July 3, 2024
  • 07:57

2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit: How plan sponsors can boost vaccine uptake among employees

Employers can play a meaningful role in improving vaccine uptake, said Ajit Johal, a community pharmacist, clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and founder of vaccine education non-profit organization immunize.io, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. A recent partnership between the Richmond School District in British […]

  • July 8, 2024 July 3, 2024
  • 07:56

A closer look at menopause-inclusive workplaces

Employers can support employees going through menopause by improving their workplace culture, communication and accommodation policies and employee benefits, said Janet Ko, president and co-founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February. She said menopause came a barrage of symptoms that “blindsided” her and disrupted her […]

  • March 11, 2024 March 5, 2024
  • 07:59

Webinar coverage: Exploring the role of pharmacists in diagnosing, managing diabetes

Amid an increase in diabetes diagnoses among Canadians, pharmacists can play a greater role in employers’ and private payers’ chronic disease prevention and management strategies given their increasing scope of practice, said representatives for Health Solutions by Shoppers, during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada and sponsored by Health Solutions by Shoppers in January. As […]

  • February 7, 2024 February 2, 2024
  • 09:00

2023 Defined Benefit Investment Forum: Housing unaffordability may launch ‘generational move’ toward multi-family segment

Canada has a real estate “supply and demand crisis” that is likely to get worse in the coming years with ineffectual government intervention and central bank policies and not-in-my-backyard movements stymying development, said Aaron Pittman, senior vice-president and head of Canadian institutional investments at Equiton, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Defined Benefit Investment Forum […]

  • January 24, 2024 January 19, 2024
  • 07:59