North American employees are experiencing the highest daily stress levels in the world during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by Gallup. It found employees’ daily stress levels increased by eight percentage points to 57 per cent, compared with 43 per cent globally. Despite this increase, Canadian and U.S. employees said their engagement […]
Despite the uncertainty wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are continuing to save for retirement through defined contribution pension plans, according to new data from the Investment Company Institute. The institute tracks contributions, withdrawals and other activities based on DC plan record-keeper data covering more than 30 million participant accounts in employer-based plans on a […]
Nova Scotia is allowing residents to apply directly to their financial institution to access their retirement savings when facing financial challenges. Under amendments to provincial pension legislation effective July 1, a person may be approved to access part of a locked-in retirement account or life income fund if they expect less than $41,067 in income […]
Canadian employees with ongoing health challenges have faced unique challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by RBC Insurance. Among employees with a chronic health condition, 63 per cent said the inability to visit a doctor or clinic during the pandemic negatively impacted their health, compared to 47 per cent of those without […]
The University of Waterloo is committing to reducing the carbon footprint of its pension and endowment investment portfolios by 50 per cent by 2030, with the goal of achieving full carbon neutrality by 2040. “With this new commitment, the university is . . . aligning its investment practices with its teaching, research and operations on climate change, […]
Manulife Investment Management Holdings (Canada) Inc. is appointing Christoph Schumacher as its first global head of real assets for private markets. In the new role, Schumacher will be responsible for defining the investment managers’ private real assets strategy. He’ll also be responsible for managing investment solutions for clients around the world. Read: Top ESG marks for […]
Employees in Canada working from home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are paying a “COVID tax,” as a result of working additional hours during these tumultuous times, according to a survey from ADP Inc. and the Angus Reid Institute. The survey, which polled more than 1,500 full- and part-time working Canadians in April, […]
Scotiabank will be offering coverage for enhanced gender affirmation procedures for eligible employees and their dependants in Canada and the U.S. starting June 1. The coverage will help fill the gaps in coverage to better support people from the transgender community on their own personal gender affirmation journey, said a press release. It will also […]
Canadians’ current retirement savings aren’t likely to withstand the costs of long-term health care later in life, according to a new survey by Edward D. Jones & Co. It found 23 per cent of respondents said they believe their retirement savings will last them less than 10 years, including 21 per cent of those age […]
The Canadian government is providing more employers with free rapid tests for workplace coronavirus screenings. According to a press release, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will enable local chambers to distribute rapid tests to smaller employers, while in Ontario, small- and medium-sized employers in the province’s coronavirus hot spots can access the tests at Shoppers […]