The contents of employee assistance programs are growing and reflecting a wider range of services. At the same time, attitudes to pricing are also changing. Trader Corp., a Toronto-based digital marketing company serving the automotive industry, expects more from its EAP provider and is willing to pay for it. “Our workforce is increasingly diverse with […]
Drug plan design changes are often unavoidable, whether they’re due to a carrier modifying contracts across the board or an employer looking to manage ballooning costs. Generally, “plan sponsors are looking at programs like more managed formularies and, potentially, maximums,” says Suzanne Lepage, a private health plan strategist in Kitchener, Ont. “Changes driven at the […]
Hub International Ltd. is acquiring the assets of Clarity Benefits Group Inc., a Calgary-based firm that provides benefits plans, life insurance and group retirement plans to Canadian companies. The acquisition is part of the organization’s strategy to grow its offering of employee benefits and pension solutions in Canada, noted a press release. Read: Hub International acquires assets […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is acquiring Mercer’s stand-alone, large market health and defined benefit pension plan administration business for U.S. employer clients. Mercer will continue to provide these services when they’re bundled with its consulting and brokerage services. It will also continue to provide large market health and benefits administration services for global employer clients with employees in […]
Canadian insurers expect health costs to rise by 11.55 per cent this year, according to a new report by Accompass Inc. The annual survey determines the anticipated year-over-year cost increase or decrease — or health trend factor — by asking insurers to examine their businesses and take various factors into account, including legislation and reforms, economic events […]
Alongside Hydro One Ltd.’s initial public offering in November 2015, the company underwent an internal transformation by revamping its total rewards program. Previously, the utility organization’s program was very traditional with a fixed salary structure and not much external benchmarking, according to Sabrin Lila, Hydro One’s director of compensation and human resources analytics, noting the company was limited by existing […]
Since recreational cannabis was legalized across Canada six months ago, related workplace problems have mainly been notable by their absence. “It’s been a surprising lack of significant issues arising in the workplace,” said Angelo Tsebelis, president at Starseed Medicinal Inc., during a panel at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Benefits and Pension Summit in Toronto on Wednesday. This […]
Rise People Inc. is partnering with Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada to launch a human resources platform that aims to simplify administration and provides payroll and benefits solutions for plan sponsors. Built in collaboration with Sun Life, the platform integrates access to the insurer’s plan member site using a single sign-in feature so users don’t have to log in […]
Following the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s decision in a landmark age discrimination case last year, former high school teacher Steve Talos has reached a settlement with the Grand Erie District School Board. Though Ontario abolished mandatory retirement in 2006, it still allowed employers to terminate benefits plans for workers age 65 and over. In […]
Employers are increasingly including diversity and inclusion objectives in their benefits, compensation, workplace culture and well-being initiatives, according to new research by Willis Towers Watson. The survey, which polled 535 U.S. employers, found 55 per cent of employers have promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives relating to workplace policies and culture to their employees in the last three […]