As the world is getting smaller, its workforce is becoming more mobile. In 2017, 66.2 million people travelled to live abroad, up from 52.8 million in 2013, according to research by Finaccord Ltd. That figure is expected to balloon to 87.5 million in 2021. In Canada alone, about 2.8 million people live and work abroad, […]
These days, peace of mind is hard to come by, but the employers at the 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards roundtable centred their discussion around the many ways they can positively contribute towards their workforces’ mental, physical and financial health, particularly when it comes to absenteeism and improving return-to-work processes. “We know that if people are […]
Pension managers’ pooled funds posted meagre returns in the third quarter of 2018, according to Morneau Shepell Ltd.’s performance universe. Markets were less synchronized during the latter half of 2018, leading to more mixed results than earlier in the year, noted the report, which showed a median return of 0.4 per cent before management fees. However, this […]
Benefits Canada honoured winners across 11 categories at the 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Thursday. In a room at the Arcadian Loft, more than 100 leaders in the benefits, pension and investment industry gathered to see awards presented to winning employers demonstrating the leading-edge work underway to improve employee’s physical, mental and financial health through tangible workplace programs. […]
While the subject of loneliness isn’t one that immediately comes to mind when considering workplace wellness, a 2017 study by Britain’s New Economics Foundation showed its economic impact is about £2.5 billion annually. Using evidence on the links between loneliness and depression, coronary heart disease and stroke, the study estimated its cost to employers includes […]
The use of target-date funds is on the rise in Canada, with more members of capital accumulation plans being offered the investment option every year. Half of plan sponsors with defined contribution plans (50 per cent) and group registered retirement savings plans (51 per cent) allocated target-date funds as their default option in 2016, according […]
As many organizations turn their focus to mental-health awareness in October, Staples Canada is reminding its employees they have help available if they need it. The company’s October campaign will include promoting the employee assistance program, sharing the mental-health website from Morneau Shepell Inc. and fostering a stigma-free work environment, according to Kate Tilsley, Staples Canada’s senior director of […]
Green Shield Canada is launching a new benefits product, which will focus on drug coverage and mental-health support and eliminate coverage for massage therapy. The new plan, called SMARTspend, will include a managed drug formulary with 100 per cent coverage and no dollar caps, digital mental-health support options, health coaching from pharmacists and dietitians and vision […]
I’ll be retiring at the end of September, so this will probably be my last article for Benefits Canada, and certainly my last as an employee of Morneau Shepell Ltd. While the natural final topic would have been a look back at the high points in the pension industry since the mid-1970s, it may be […]
Benefits Canada is proud to announce the list of finalists for the upcoming 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards. Winners across 10 categories will be announced at a luncheon event on Oct. 11 at the Arcadian Loft in Toronto. Buy your tickets today. This year’s finalists are: Absence management: Ontario Power Generation Staples Canada Diversity program: Fidelity Canada Niagara Casinos […]