Breakfast (Sovereign Ballroom)

The tallest poppy: How the workforce is cutting ambitious women down  (Sovereign Ballroom)

A harmful constellation of beliefs, behaviours, cultural messaging and micro-aggressions is undermining women’s success, growth and achievements in workplaces globally. The results gathered from a 2023 study about significant challenges facing women indicated women felt their achievements at work were undervalued. This phenomenon, known as ‘tall poppy syndrome,’ affects mental health, self-confidence, teamwork and organizational success. This session will examine the results of the tallest poppy study and discuss how psychological health and workplace performance has been affected by this silent systemic syndrome. Attendees will learn how organizations can be transformed by strengthening equitable, inclusive and productive workplace behaviours while building cultures of trust that genuinely encourage high achievers to grow, flourish and lead.

Speaker:

Rumeet Billan, leadership, emotional resilience and mental-health expert

Health and disability claims, trends and costs drivers

This session will explore disability claim patterns that highlight Canada Life’s health and disability plans in 2022. It will also focus on changes in 2022, 2021 and compare pre-pandemic trends for an understanding of COVID-19’s impact on benefits. Attendees will learn about emerging trends and what plan sponsors can do today to manage cost drivers into the future.

Speakers:

Kimberly Ferris, organizational health consultant, Canada Life

Barbara Martinez, national practice leader, drug solutions, Canada Life

Networking break (Lobby Lounge)

Bridging mental-health gaps: Advancing equity

Despite the recognition of pressing mental-health needs, disparities in access and care persist, leaving many across Canada at a disadvantage. While efforts have shed light on these gaps, there’s still much work ahead to achieve true equity in mental-health support. This session will explore the results of the 2023 Teladoc Health Canada Survey, which polled over 1,600 Canadians to learn about their current experience with mental-health support and will discuss the imbalances in mental-health care and explore innovative strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable mental-health landscape.

Speaker:

Joby McKenzie, managing director, Canada, Teladoc Health

Perimenopause and menopause in the workplace: Misconceptions, the education gap and how to support your employees 

As women go through menopause, their hormone production changes. In addition to hot flashes and insomnia, some women report symptoms that can have a significant impact on their overall health, including depression, anxiety, brain fog and decreased energy levels. This session will dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding perimenopause and menopause, as well as exploring the education gap that exists around women’s health, how it impacts women in the workplace and how to close it. Learn ways that employers can empower women with knowledge and healthy solutions to live well, for life.

Speaker:

Dr. Jennifer Zelovitzky, clinical director, women’s health and vitality, Medcan

Lunch (Sovereign Ballroom)

Employee well-being: One size doesn’t fit all

A work environment that promotes employee well-being is critical to ensuring an engaged and resilient workforce, a safe and healthy workplace and a culture where everyone can thrive. Every employee’s health and well-being journey is different with unique needs, goals and interests. Hydro Ottawa has tailored its employee health and well-being programming to meet the unique needs of different employee groups while ensuring there’s something for everyone. This session will explore the organization’s holistic approach to employee health and well-being, along with some examples of its innovative programming.

Speaker:

Donna Burnett Vachon, director, change and organizational development, Hydro Ottawa

Money matters: The role of workplace health and wellness programs in addressing employee financial stress 

In Canada, financial stress is at record levels and contributes to billions in lost productivity annually. This session will offer insight into the need for a collective effort to reduce the impact of individual financial stress on organizations. By understanding the relationship between financial stress and employee well-being, organizations can implement effective strategies that support their workforce, break the taboo surrounding this issue and foster a more productive and resilient work environment.

Speaker:

Valérie Fernandez, senior advisor, workplace health best practices and strategic support, group insurance, Beneva

Networking break (Lobby Lounge)

Navigating benefits in chronic disease management: An employee-centric approach

This session will provide an overview of the increase in chronic diseases in the past 10 years and how they’re contributing to absenteeism and short-term disability. The session will show plan sponsors how to increase engagement for their health and wellness initiatives in 2023 and beyond by looking at new and innovative ways to provide individualized support within the workplace.

Speaker:

Karen Callaghan, senior director, chronic disease education, patient support, Novo Nordisk

Panel: How to take a proactive approach to absence and disability management

Long before the coronavirus pandemic upended the workplace and impacted absence and disability management programs, employers have been rethinking these approaches, implementing proactive programs that aim to anticipate absences and disability leaves before they happen. In this panel, three employers will discuss the evolution of these programs, how they’re taking proactive approaches to absence and disability and how these changes are contributing to healthy outcomes among their workforces.

Panellists:

Jared Fu, manager, health and well-being operational excellence, Lululemon

Jessica Myers, acting manager, wellness and abilities, Algonquin College

Brooke Schwarz, manager, national total rewards, BDO Canada LLP

Closing cocktail reception and 2023 Workplace Benefits Awards presentation (Sovereign Ballroom)