Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of U.S. employees said they lack full confidence that their organization’s post-coronavirus pandemic workplace strategy is the right decision for employees, a 17 percentage point rise from findings in April 2021, according to a survey by people analytics software provider Humanyze. Indeed, the survey found more than half (53 per […]
In Canada, the coronavirus pandemic is entering a new phase — vaccines are widely available, travel restrictions are gradually lifting and people are returning to some normal routines in their personal lives. People’s work lives are also entering a new phase, with many employers and employees thinking about when — and if — they’ll return […]
Scotiabank is increasing its focus on mental health through expanded benefits coverage and additional training for employees in leadership roles. Beginning April 1, 2022, all eligible employees and dependants will have $10,000 — up from a previous limit of $3,000 — in mental well-being services as part of their core coverage, including access to clinical counsellors, internet-based […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is clarifying its guidance on the administration of pension benefits upon marriage breakdown. The final guidance, which came into effect on Nov. 9, 2021, clarifies the FSRA’s position on issues relating to valuation, payment and division and survivor benefits. It stated pension assets are to be valued based on […]
The Royal Bank of Canada is focusing on mental health to engage and retain employees as the bank shifts to a hybrid work model. While the bank already began upgrading its mental-health benefits in 2018, the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the need to continue supporting employee mental health, says Andrejka Massicotte, senior director of benefits and wellness […]
As an executive with the City of Toronto, Lawrence Eta now makes a point of not coming into the office every day. The chief technological officer says that’s because he wants to lead by example and show his employees that there’ll be no preferences between someone who’s working onsite or remotely in their hybrid working […]
The Council of Parties to the United Nations’ climate convention, known as COP26, which is currently underway in Glasgow has put climate change on the global stage and top of mind for many employers and employees. There are many elements an employer can take into consideration when crafting a benefits strategy — competitiveness in the […]
A new study is urging employers to transition from a traditional focus on employee benefits to one that covers job and work design, management, rewards practices, a commitment to psychological safety and fairness and a culture of employee listening. The Josh Bersin Co., a U.S.-based research and advisory company, examined 91 practices and programs in […]
More than 19 months into the coronavirus pandemic, employers are focusing on enhanced mental-health offerings and streamlined communications for their benefits and pension plans. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 14, the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed the changes brought about by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted their benefits and pensions offerings, while looking […]
An evolving program that’s holistically supporting employees during the coronavirus pandemic led to LifeLabs’ win for its mental-health program at the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 14. Within the organization’s wellness program, which was launched in 2019, the emotional pillar includes: a separate annual maximum for mental-health practitioners through its flexible benefits plan; an expanded […]