With all the focus on women’s health in the workplace in the past year, employers should be providing more support for pregnant employees by improving their financial security, having open discussions around symptoms and offering more flexibility. As a soon-to-be first-time mom — who was unsure how she felt about becoming pregnant at first — my […]
Heading into 2025, the workplace mental-health landscape in Canada continues to transform and grow. Employers continue to recognize that prioritizing mental health is a critical factor in organizational success. Here are three key areas that are shaping the evolution of mental health in the workplace and how employers can take the lead: Breaking the Silence […]
Between 2019 and 2023, chronic disease drug claims increased much faster among younger plan members compared to older generations, according to a new report by Sun Life. The report, which analyzed drug claims data of more than 3 million plan members over a five-year period, found across all age groups, nearly half (45.1 per cent) of […]
Eliminating sick notes for Canadian employees would help remove the administrative burden for both employers and medical professionals, while also improving workplace trust, says Olivia Cicchini, human resources and employment law expert at Peninsula Canada. The Canadian Medical Association is calling for the elimination of sick notes for short-term minor illnesses across the country, which could […]
Treating obesity with all available evidence-based tools ultimately costs less than not treating it, according to panellists during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada and sponsored by Eli Lilly Canada Inc. in collaboration with Obesity Canada. Dr. Akshay Jain (pictured right), a clinical and research endocrinologist, provided an overview of obesity — a chronic, progressive, […]
The union representing 1,750 employees at Extendicare’s long-term care facilities across Ontario has ratified multiple three-year collective agreements that include benefits gains. The agreements include increasing vision coverage from $350 to $400 every 24 months, as well as increasing parental leave to a maximum of 78 weeks from 52 weeks. In terms of sick leave, […]
A third (32 per cent) of women employees in British Columbia say menopause symptoms impact their job in some way, according to a new survey by the Women’s Health Research Institute, in collaboration with the B.C. Women’s Health Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross. The survey, which polled more than 2,000 women aged 39 to 60, […]
The pharmaceutical company’s director of benefits and recognition discusses the needs of a multigenerational workforce, the role of diversity, equity and inclusion in benefits plans and exploring the world one dish at a time. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: By striving to understand the changing needs of our diverse, […]
Amazon Canada is supporting Canadian veterans through a dedicated employee resource group as well as paid leave and various veteran-specific programs. The Warriors at Amazon group includes thousands of employees and offers professional development and advocacy support for veterans and military spouses across the company’s workforce. The group is also leading the company’s Remembrance Day […]
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s multi-faceted approach to employee well-being took home the top prize in the Health/Wellness Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “I’m actually really surprised [by the award win]!” says Merlyn Sequeira, senior director of total rewards at Samsung. “It’s […]