A recent court ruling that awarded a plaintiff $1.5 million in punitive damages against the Blue Cross Life Insurance Co. of Canada — in connection with its more than six-year denial of long-term disability benefits — could result in increased costs for employer-sponsored benefits plans. “If this sets a precedent, then higher awards will be […]
While old-age security has permanently increased by 10 per cent for seniors aged 75 and older, employees can maximize this benefit, along with their Canada Pension Plan benefit, by delaying retirement as long as possible, says Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, director of financial security research for the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University. “People need […]
The union representing more than 300 employees at HBC Logistics Ltd. warehouses in Scarborough, Ont. has ratified a three-year agreement that includes benefits gains. The new agreement maintains the employee contribution to the health benefits plan at its 2017 rate. Some 80 per cent of members of Unifor Local 40 voted to accept the new […]
Thomson Reuters Corp. is introducing new benefits for its global employees, including an expanded ‘work from anywhere’ policy and a new sabbatical program. To build on its existing Flex My Way program, which offers employees the opportunity to work from anywhere in their country of residence for up to eight weeks, the technology company expanded the […]
The union representing roughly 60 employees at Kleenzone Ltd. in Toronto has ratified a four-year agreement that includes enhanced bereavement leave. The agreement increases bereavement leave from one day to five for employees grieving the loss of a grandchild, mother in law or father in law. It also provides one day of bereavement leave for […]
Beneva Inc. is enhancing its hybrid work policy to provide employees with more flexibility. The company is offering employees $1,000 to purchase ergonomic home office furniture and $240 for home internet upgrades. For employees working onsite, Beneva is offering free parking or an annual $500 commuter allowance for public transit. “We reviewed some of our working […]
BNP Paribas in Canada is expanding its employee benefits offering with up to $10,000 lifetime coverage for gender affirmation and fertility treatments. The bank is also adding eight weeks of paid paternity leave for new dads, as well as increasing its mental-health practitioner benefits to $1,000 and increasing the number of paid personal days from two […]
The amendments to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board regulations are officially taking effect July 1, after being delayed multiple times. The changes, which were originally proposed in 2019, are the first significant update to the regulations in more than 30 years. After consulting with stakeholders, Health Canada will be moving forward with the implementation of […]
Shopify Inc.’s 2021 Workplace Benefit Awards win is helping the company build on the most successful elements of its employee wellness programs, with an emphasis on trauma-focused care. “We’ve been able to dive a bit deeper into that and better understand the different employee groups across the organization and help them [address] their wellness needs,” says […]
As the coronavirus pandemic recedes, employers planning a return to the office have several legal issues to consider. Hugh Christie, a Toronto-based managing partner at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, suggests employers first ensure their offices are properly set up for each department, as well as the personal situations of employees, such as workers with […]