When left unchecked, absenteeism is like a termite that stealthily eats into employee engagement, team morale and organizational output, often costing companies millions of dollars in lost productivity, wages and management time. The trick is to proactively address the issue before it becomes stickier than it needs to be. Quite often, a straightforward conversation between […]
Alongside its financial impact, extreme weather takes a toll on absenteeism, mental health and disability claims, according to a new study by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo. The research, funded by Manulife Financial Corp. and Intact Financial Corp., looked at homeowners in Burlington, Ont., after a storm in August 2014 left […]
Life doesn’t always happen outside of business hours. Everyone experiences the challenges of managing elements of their personal lives while being physically and mentally present at work. Employers understand the importance of helping their workers manage work and life obligations, and many have policies and practices in place to help them attain that balance. In many ways, […]
Julie Holden is principal of a new workplace health consultancy, Holden & Associates. Since July 2014, she worked at SEB Benefits & HR Consulting Inc., most recently as a senior vice-president. Holden’s career has spanned a number of consulting firms in roles that include: absence and disability management leader, health and productivity leader and assistant vice-president of […]
Green Shield Canada is offering plan members who suffer from chronic pain free access to a mobile app that tracks their pain, analyzes it and shares the data with their health-care providers. The pilot project, in partnership with Toronto-based startup ManagingLife Inc., also gives participants bonus points and access to rewards through the insurer’s incentive-based health […]
Is it right to take a sick day to visit the doctor for preventative care such as physical exams, teeth cleaning and health screenings? Doing just that is the idea behind the Unsick Day program. Started by a group of U.S. organizations, including New York-based digital health company Zocdoc Inc., the program provides time off […]
A new review by the Institute for Work and Health has found that while generic cognitive behavioural therapy can help employees with symptoms of depression remain at work, it doesn’t have an effect on helping them return to their jobs. The review found, however, that work-focused cognitive behavioural therapy can help depressed employees both stay […]
At General Electric Co. Canada, part of Dr. Sol Sax’s job as consultant and medical director is to support and refine the company’s disability management process. That process includes everything from how the company helps to prevent workers from going on disability to monitoring them while they’re away and supporting their return to work. As part of its […]
How can employers better address conditions, such as migraines, that are among the factors contributing to illness and absenteeism? With rates of illness and disability on the rise, absenteeism is a significant and growing concern for Canadian employers. Statistics Canada figures for 2017 show rates of absenteeism have been on an upswing in recent years, […]
With studies showing high levels of employee stress about their finances that’s translating into lost productivity, absenteeism or health issues, the time is right for financial wellness programs in the workplace. There’s an opportunity for employers to step in and offer much-needed guidance, but they could (and should) be helping workers with far more than the basic advice about […]