The provision of employer-sponsored benefits has evolved significantly over the last 45 years, with the past decade ushering in the most consequential changes, fueled by technology, increased competition and demand. In the 80s and 90s, benefits plans were very siloed and one size fits all, says Chris Pryce, founder and president of Human Capital Benefits, […]
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it triggered a flurry of questions — and some confusion — from employers on how they could continue to provide abortion coverage in their health benefits plans while complying with various state laws, says Sarah Raaii, a lawyer and senior associate with McDermott Will & Emery […]
With more data emerging showing vaping can lead to lung injuries and other adverse health issues, many employers have concerns about the potential cost of providing extended health-care benefits to employees who vape, says Julie Stich, vice-president of content at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. “We’re seeing more and more evidence coming forth […]
AstraZeneca is supporting its LGBTQ2S+ workers and drawing new talent with a new employee resource group. The AZPride Canada ERG will focus on providing social support, as well as career and employment development and education, for LGBTQ2S+ workers. The group recently co-hosted several Pride Month events, including a lunch using vendors from the LGBTQ2S+ community, […]
LifeLabs Inc.’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards win is helping the company communicate the value of its mental-health support offerings to employees. The organization’s holistic wellness strategy took home the mental-health program award for companies with more than 5,000 employees. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, LifeLabs strengthened its mental-health strategy to address employees’ […]
AstraZeneca is taking steps to dismantle unconscious bias in the workplace as part of its wider efforts to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into its business practices. DEI has been a priority for the multinational pharmaceutical company for many years, specifically in the area of unconscious bias, says Gena Restivo, its vice-president of human resources, […]
A majority (92 per cent) of Canadian employees feel they’re at risk of experiencing burnout as the coronavirus pandemic drags on, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled 11,000 employers and employees from 16 countries, found 59 per cent of employer respondents are concerned about high employee sickness/absence rates and remote […]
In 2020, LifeLabs Inc. embarked on a year-long journey to redesign its group registered retirement savings plan and deferred profit-sharing plan to make them less cumbersome, easier to administer and to boost engagement among employees. Under the original plans, which were in place for more than 10 years and linked to employees’ years of service, […]
Employees from various financial institutions will once again be pounding the pavement as they begin returning to their respective offices starting this week. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Canada, the Bank of Montreal, Manulife Financial Corp. and Scotiabank are all planning to shift back to in-person work throughout March. As of Mar. 14, 2022, Manulife’s fully […]
IKEA Canada is celebrating the voices and success stories of people from the Black community this Black History Month and beyond. This month, the furniture chain launched a content series on its intranet that highlighted the stories of its employees from the Black community. It featured four employees’ stories each week on its internal and […]