Latest news in Disability management

Ottawa spent $2.2 million in fees for maternity, sickness benefits lawsuit

Ottawa spent $2.2 million in fees for maternity, sickness benefits lawsuit

Newly released figures show the federal government has spent more than $2.2 million in legal fees fighting a class-action lawsuit over maternity and sickness benefits. Most…

My Take: Menstrual leave is good, but flexibility is better

My Take: Menstrual leave is good, but flexibility is better

If men could menstruate, “TV shows would treat the subject openly. […] So would newspapers. […] And so would movies,” Gloria Steinem wrote in her…

NFL must pay benefits for retired player’s brain injury: judge

NFL must pay benefits for retired player’s brain injury: judge

A federal judge has ordered the NFL’s pension plan to pay higher disability benefits to a retired player who apparently is suffering from an illness caused…

Medavie invests in chronic disease intervention study

Medavie invests in chronic disease intervention study

Medavie Blue Cross has partnered with the Toronto Rehab Foundation, investing $75,000 over three years into a chronic disease and lifestyle intervention research study. The…

  • By: Staff
  • March 1, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:10
Negotiations end between Toronto and city workers

Negotiations end between Toronto and city workers

Negotiations between the city of Toronto and its inside workers’ union have ended – at least temporarily –without a contract, and neither party is taking…

Paid sick leave to be extended to 800,000 U.S. employees

Paid sick leave to be extended to 800,000 U.S. employees

The Department of Labor has announced a proposed rule to implement a new executive order that would require employers that enter into covered contracts with…

  • By: Staff
  • February 29, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:15
Ontario Budget: WSIB reductions, income testing for benefits, streamlined benefits for the education sector

Ontario Budget: WSIB reductions, income testing for benefits, streamlined benefits for the education sector

During its 2016 budget announcement on Feb. 25, the Ontario government also clarified its plans for reducing future WSIB premiums, continuing its review of benefits…

  • By: Staff
  • February 25, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 17:45
Military vets challenge denial of disability benefits in latest court battle

Military vets challenge denial of disability benefits in latest court battle

Disabled military veterans will take their fight for long-term benefits to a Halifax courtroom today where they will argue that they were wrongly denied payments because…

Ontario introduces PTSD legislation for first responders

Ontario introduces PTSD legislation for first responders

Ontario has introduced legislation that will create a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed in first responders is work-related, leading to faster access to resources…

48% off work for disability are not financially prepared

48% off work for disability are not financially prepared

Nearly half (48%) of Canadian employees off work due to disability said they are not financially prepared, according to new research. The 2015 RBC Insurance…

  • By: Staff
  • February 18, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Sounding Board: The link between oil prices and rising disability claims

Sounding Board: The link between oil prices and rising disability claims

“I lay bricks for half the year, so that I can collect disability and surf for the other half.” It was 2009, and I was…

Employers tweaking corporate health plans to appeal to millennial workers

Employers tweaking corporate health plans to appeal to millennial workers

During his three-year tenure as a financial analyst at one of Canada’s biggest banks, Devon Wright never once used his company health plan. “There was…

How to support staff with cancer on World Cancer Day

How to support staff with cancer on World Cancer Day

Events taking place around the world today will unite cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, clinicians and others to celebrate World Cancer Day. Globally, more than eight million…

55% concerned about financial impact of critical illness

55% concerned about financial impact of critical illness

More than half (55%) of Canadians are concerned about their inability to meet living expenses should they become impacted by a serious illness, according to…

Legislative round-up: key dates for group benefits plans

Legislative round-up: key dates for group benefits plans

Stay up to date on legislative changes that impact group benefits plans across the country with some key dates in 2016. January 3, 2016: Leave of absence…

  • By: Staff
  • February 1, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:24
Walmart enhances disability benefits and increases pay

Walmart enhances disability benefits and increases pay

Walmart is rolling out a new short-term disability program, simplified paid time off policy and a pay increase in 2016 for its U.S. employees. The…

Workers don’t consider the financial impacts of becoming disabled

Workers don’t consider the financial impacts of becoming disabled

An RBC Insurance survey finds 67% of employees aren't discussing the financial impacts of becoming disabled, Advisor.ca reports.

  • By: Staff
  • September 29, 2015 September 13, 2019
  • 11:48
How to handle a workplace accommodation

How to handle a workplace accommodation

Your employee has come to you to tell you that they’re having a difficult time with tasks at work. They don’t want time off, but…

  • June 23, 2015 September 13, 2019
  • 11:56
Empire Life offers a health concierge service

Empire Life offers a health concierge service

The Empire Life Insurance Company has partnered with MedExtra Inc. to provide a health concierge service to customers who add Empire Life group critical illness…

  • By: Staff
  • June 18, 2015 September 13, 2019
  • 12:07
Unequal funding and treatment for cancer costs employers

Unequal funding and treatment for cancer costs employers

Unequal funding and treatment for cancer costs everyone, including employers

Case study: How Bruce Telecom’s focus on wellness saved $136,000

Case study: How Bruce Telecom’s focus on wellness saved $136,000

How a company with just 85 employees saved more than $100K with its wellness program

How to help employees manage drug and disability claims

How to help employees manage drug and disability claims

Get upstream of health risks and benefits costs by putting the employee first

Workers unprepared for financial impact of disabilities

Workers unprepared for financial impact of disabilities

Most Canadian workers would suffer severe financial hardship if they were forced out of work with a disability.

  • By: Staff
  • January 20, 2015 September 13, 2019
  • 11:15
Best of benefits in 2014

Best of benefits in 2014

Plan sponsors continue to face numerous issues, and, as another year comes to an end, we take a look back at some of the best…

  • By: Staff
  • December 29, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 10:38
Managing the growing risk of opioid addictions

Managing the growing risk of opioid addictions

Stan* was a long-time employee at a major technical manufacturer in a safety-sensitive job. When a work injury required knee surgery, he was prescribed an…