Like a spiky meteorite, when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year it demolished employer’s best-laid plans and is forcing them to find innovative ways to support, motivate and retain employees. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 16, the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed how they’ve quickly responded to everything from employee mental health to supporting financial wellness […]
Canada’s defined benefit pension plans posted a 3.2 per cent return in 2020’s third quarter, a position augmented by strong global equity markets, according to Northern Trust Canada’s pension universe. “The global pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated the pace of change for many defined benefit pension plans over the course of recent months, namely in the […]
Benefits Canada is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards. At a virtual roundtable and awards ceremony on Friday morning, 19 finalists gathered to discuss their leading benefits and pension strategies, followed by winner announcements across seven categories. The following winners — and all of the finalists — represent benefits and pension plans covering more than 280,000 Canadians. These […]
Defined contribution pensions are taking a bumpy ride in the coronavirus pandemic, with plan sponsors and their members facing volatile stock markets, financial uncertainty and interruptions to business as usual. Whether related to plan design, investment options, decumulation or overall financial well-being and education, what issues are taking the spotlight this year and what changes […]
Despite a decline in mental health and well-being since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Canadians are still hesitant to access support, according to Morneau Shepell Ltd.’s latest monthly mental-health index. About half (53 per cent) of respondents indicated the pandemic has made them less likely to access health care for physical (29 per cent) and mental-health […]
More than a third (36 per cent) of Canadian organizations froze salaries in 2020, compared to a pre-coronavirus forecast of just two per cent, according to Morneau Shepell Ltd.’s annual salary projection survey. The trend is likely to hold true for the coming year, with almost half (46 per cent) of employers saying they’re uncertain […]
Presenteeism is the No. 1 issue for employers in terms of its negative impact on the workforce and the extent to which is can be improved with counselling through an employee assistance program, according to a new survey by Morneau Shepell Ltd. The survey, which covered insights from more than 35,000 employees gathered between 2010 and 2019, […]
Medcan is partnering with fitness app Lift to enhance its wellness offering to plan sponsors. The platform, which includes customized exercise programming, digital equipment and digital assessments, aims to offer highly engaging virtual training sessions, partnered with Medcan fitness coaches. “Fitness is one of Medcan’s key pillars,” said Andrew Zimakas, the organization’s chief product and […]
Canadians’ mental health continues to be affected by the impact of the coronavirus, including concerns about a second wave, ongoing economic uncertainties and the added concerns of students returning to school, according to Morneau Shepell Ltd.’s latest mental-health index. For the fifth consecutive month, it showed a negative mental-health score, at negative 11, a slight […]
Defined contribution plan members are contending with volatile equity markets, ultra-low interest rates and the threat of inflation as the country’s economy begins its tentative recovery. In the first half of 2020, equities took an almost round trip, dropping significantly in the first quarter and recovering to the point that most markets are in neutral or positive […]