As inflation hits a record high in Canada, employers are helping workers weather the storm through various benefits and compensation offerings, according to several experts. In October, the Canadian inflation rate increased year over year by a record 4.7 per cent, the largest increase since February 2003, according to Statistics Canada. The Bank of Canada […]
The federal Liberal Party is following through on an election campaign promise by introducing legislation that would provide 10 paid sick days per year to employees in the federally regulated private sector. In a press release, the government said it will consult with federally regulated employers and workers toward the implementation of this legislation. Prime […]
Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of employed Canadians are reporting a decline in their mental health since the start of the pandemic, according to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index. Despite Canadians’ overall mental-health score seeing a slight uptick to negative 10.2 in October from September’s score of negative 10.3, the survey found the ongoing […]
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 […]