Canadian employers are increasingly focusing on coverage for women’s health and gender affirmation in their employee benefits plans, according to a new survey by WTW.
The survey, which polled more than 100 employers, found half (49 per cent) of organizations reported women’s health as a top or high priority. To that end, two-fifths (39 per cent) of employers said fertility drugs are a top or high priority and 70 per cent said they already cover them.
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Nearly all (98 per cent) companies that offer inclusive benefits said they’re planning to keep or make these benefits more valuable. Indeed, 44 per cent of respondents said they offer coverage for gender affirmation care, which has doubled since 2024, and a third (30 per cent) said these benefits are an essential part of their plan.
A quarter (26 per cent) of employers said they prioritize neurodiversity benefits, like workplace accommodations and inclusive hiring practices. Eight in 10 (80 per cent) employers said obesity has a significant impact on employee health and well-being and 26 per cent said they’re prioritizing obesity medications in their benefits strategies.
The survey also found that when developing their benefits strategies, employers said they rely on several sources, including advisors (79 per cent) and employee feedback (59 per cent).