American companies are facing a caregiving crisis they refuse to acknowledge, according to a report by the Managing the Future of Work project at Harvard Business School. According to the report, rising health-care and professional caregiving costs, along with changing demographics over the past few decades, have “put great pressure on American employees as they try […]
Canada should be considering the feasibility of a portable benefits plan for employees across the country, according to the Public Policy Forum. A portable benefits plan would fill the needs of transient employees engaged in part-time or temporary work who have limited or no access to benefits and pensions, noted the report. It would also provide […]
Employers looking to recruit talent from other cities and provinces should consider boosting their relocation benefits and services, according to a new survey by staffing firm Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey found almost half (46 per cent) of employees said they’d consider moving if they had better pay and perks. Despite this, more than a third (37 per cent) […]
On Dec. 5, the 2018 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in Toronto highlighted the leading issues for plan sponsors to consider in the year ahead, including medical cannabis, pharmacogenetics and drug plan sustainability. Here are some of the highlights of the sessions: A look at the benefits of patient support programs for plan […]
Although certain drug categories have always been considered optional in benefits plans, this may be an opportune time to look at modernizing coverage in a number of areas, according to Suzanne Nagy, national drug consulting leader at Mercer Canada. Speaking at Benefits Canada‘s 2018 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in Toronto on Dec. 5, Nagy said […]
Canada is the 10th best country for expatriate employees, with Germany, Bahrain and the U.K. taking the top three spots, according to a new survey by HSBC Bank. Expats are coming to work in Canada from Europe, South and Central Asia and elsewhere in North America, but they’re most commonly from India, the U.K. and the U.S. Workers are attracted […]
While 63 per cent of employees consider health and wellness benefits when choosing a job, 29 per cent of employers still don’t offer these benefits, according to a new survey by OfficeTeam Inc. The survey found 30 per cent of employees value ergonomic evaluations and equipment from their employer, followed by access to fitness facilities or programs (25 […]
While the group benefits renewal process may seem like simply a box to tick each year, it’s important to approach the process holistically. “There are many factors that go into a renewal, the biggest of which are claims experience, insurer trend and utilization, as well as claims reserve, admin expenses, demographics and credibility,” says Adrianna […]
More employers are adding unique perks to their traditional benefits packages to meet the changing demands of their workforces, according to a new study by human resources association WorldatWork and management consulting firm Korn Ferry. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. employers, found more organizations are offering unique benefits such as employee discounts, eldercare resource and referral services, telemedicine […]
As pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to evolve to meet changing health-care needs, plan sponsors need to leverage these services to improve care and drive value, according to one expert. “I truly think pharmacy services have great value. But there is a huge misunderstanding or even lack of awareness of what pharmacists can provide and […]