Benefits Health benefits

Latest news in Health benefits

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Survey finds four in 10 employees have taken mental-health leave

Half (51 per cent) of employers say mental-health leaves of absence are increasing and four in 10 employees said they’ve taken a leave of absence…

Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on an Ontario court’s decision that an employer’s return-to-workplace request amounted to constructive dismissal was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week.…

  • By: Staff
  • March 28, 2025 March 27, 2025
  • 09:00

2025 Workplace Benefits Awards to open on March 31

Calling all employers and plan sponsors — the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards will open for entries on Monday, March 31. This year, Benefits Canada is…

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Nestle, Unifor agreement includes pension, benefits gains

The union representing workers at Nestle’s London, Ont. ice cream production facility ratified a new three-year agreement that includes pension and benefits gains. The agreement…

  • By: Staff
  • March 24, 2025 March 21, 2025
  • 09:00
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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on how employers can support employees’ mental health amid the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past…

  • By: Staff
  • March 21, 2025 March 20, 2025
  • 09:00
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Survey finds disconnect between U.K. employers, employees over impact of benefits plans

While two-thirds (67 per cent) of U.K. employers say their benefits package has had a positive impact on the overall well-being of employees, fewer than…

  • By: Staff
  • March 20, 2025 March 20, 2025
  • 15:00
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Communication of benefits, transparency keys to supporting employee mental-health amid tariff dispute: expert

Amid the ongoing tariff dispute between Canada and the U.S., employers can support employee mental health by reminding them of available mental-health benefits and being…

Why you should hire an onsite counsellor

The cumulative cost of mental illness is estimated to reach $2.5 trillion by 2041, according to a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental…

Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on a series of court cases dealing with remote working arrangements in Quebec was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here…

  • By: Staff
  • March 14, 2025 March 13, 2025
  • 09:00
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Private benefits plan sponsors’ prescription drug costs up 12.9% in 2023: report

Between 2018 and 2023, prescription drug expenditures in private drug plans grew at a compound annual growth rate of 7.1 per cent, according to a…

  • By: Staff
  • March 13, 2025 March 12, 2025
  • 09:00

How the coronavirus pandemic continues to shape benefits plans

In the five years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus pandemic, Canadian benefits plan sponsors have adapted their offerings and continue to apply…

Rio Tinto appointing Ayman Alvi general manager, benefits

Rio Tinto Group is appointing Ayman Alvi as general manager of benefits. Alvi was previously vice-president of global pension and benefits at Scotiabank. Prior to…

  • By: Staff
  • March 10, 2025 March 7, 2025
  • 15:00

Coverage of the 2025 Chronic Disease at Work conference

For the past 10 years, Benefits Canada’s Chronic Disease at Work conference has examined the current trends in chronic disease in Canada and what they mean for…

Growing share of plan members with chronic diseases experiencing multiple co-morbidities

Chronic disease rates are rising and cases are becoming more complex, with a higher share of plan members experiencing multiple co-morbidities. This growing trend necessitates…

Addressing the root cause of chronic diseases by treating obesity

Obesity is one of the most misunderstood diseases, with stigma and judgement contributing to the misconceptions, said Lisa Schaffer, executive director at Obesity Canada, during…

What plan sponsors need to know about chronic kidney disease

When a 49-year-old woman attended Dr. Phil McFarlane’s multi-care kidney clinic with polycystic kidney disease, she had multiple health issues, including chronic flank pain and…

How insulin pumps can improve insulin adherence for plan members with type one diabetes

Most people, while standing in line at a cafe, contemplate whether to get their regular drip coffee or treat themselves to a latte, and whether…

Treating early Alzheimer’s disease for optimal results and cost mitigation

Alzheimer’s disease should be an urgent health-care priority because it robs individuals of their autonomy, dignity and quality of life and takes a mental, physical…

Employers urged to consider workplace vaccine clinics in chronic disease management

Chronic illnesses are strongly linked to worse outcomes from vaccine-preventable diseases. Given the rising rate of chronic conditions in the workplace, employers should consider implementing…

More than hot flashes: Women raise awareness about menopause symptoms and work

It took five years for Crystal Burke to put a name to the symptoms that haunted her. Heart palpitations. Insomnia so severe she slept only…

Editorial: Sleep is the best medicine in an increasingly foreboding world

It’s been nearly two years since I slept through the night — my 15-month-old daughter is still waking up to nurse and I wasn’t sleeping…

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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on how employers can prepare their benefits plans amid U.S. tariffs was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the…

  • By: Staff
  • March 7, 2025 March 6, 2025
  • 09:00

Head to head: Do mental-health first aiders do more harm than good?

While research so far indicates being a mental-health first aid trainee is neither clearly beneficial or harmful, it’s also important to consider potential risks and…

How 5 employers are designing mental-health benefits that cater to a diverse workforce

Most Canadian benefits plan sponsors (89 per cent) and members (73 per cent) agree their workplace environment supports mental wellness, according to the 2024 Benefits…

Psychological safety, DEI rising considerations in workplace mental-health support

While the conversation around mental-health benefits is typically focused on coverage levels, it’s important for employers to unpack the entire mental-health bucket and consider the…