In the old days, employers would often gather employees in a dusty conference room and pass around a box of Timbits while talking at a sea of bored and confused faces about the importance of retirement savings. Not anymore. These days, many capital accumulation plan sponsors and insurers are pivoting away from dull information sessions […]
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the Town of Newmarket is prioritizing the well-being of its staff and its community by creating a new role — chief positivity officer. “First and foremost, it was about the collective health of the organization,” says Jamie Boyle, the Town’s supervisor of customer service, who was given the […]
Aramark Canada Ltd.’s director of total rewards talks balancing total rewards priorities, employee assistance programs and children’s psychological development. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. In total rewards, it’s always balancing many things, so finding the right balance between the different programs you have . . . . Striking the […]
In an art gallery, people often recognize and appreciate the arrangement of the pieces as much as the works of art themselves. When employers offer voluntary benefits, they’re hoping that employees appreciate the offering. Above and beyond that, if plan members recognize the program as a customized suite of benefits that supports their unique needs, even better. Another conclusion […]
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing us all into social distancing measures for the majority of 2020, one inevitable side-effect is the substantial growth in our digital interactions. For my part, I’ve caught up with colleagues on Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business, attended a baby shower and a baby naming ceremony over Zoom, bought clothes […]
In this pandemic year, with workers suddenly physically distant and deeply stressed, employers have been forced to make swift changes to how they manage employee engagement and communications. For Nikki Booth, communications manager at the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan, the first order of business was to help staff sift through the onslaught of information […]
Beverly Silver, the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education’s employee benefits officer, talks employee assistance programs, employee training and independent coffee shops. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. I find that most employees don’t take an interest in their benefits plan until they actually need it. The challenge is in making sure […]
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic raising economic concerns, the Arthritis Society is taking a responsive approach with its Financial Literacy Month initiatives during the month of November. “We’re reading the pulse,” says Cheryl McClellan, the organization’s chief operating officer. “We haven’t seen a lot of people stressed directly in our organization, but generally, we understand […]
As coronavirus cases rise across the country and some return-to-work plans become return-to-home plans, many employers are wondering how to help their employees adapt once again as the second wave of the pandemic slams into Canada. Will there be another lockdown this year? Will children be expected to learn remotely again while employees work? How can we, as […]
Like a spiky meteorite, when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year it demolished employer’s best-laid plans and is forcing them to find innovative ways to support, motivate and retain employees. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 16, the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed how they’ve quickly responded to everything from employee mental health to supporting financial wellness […]