Take the free money. This is my regular mantra for employees in employer-sponsored retirement plans. But many employees don’t enrol in company-sponsored plans or don’t take the maximum amount of free money available. When human resources professionals ask their employees why, their responses include: “I get a better return with my advisor, so I am contributing with her/him.” “The investment […]
An entire month of diversity and inclusion initiatives led Niagara Casinos to take home the title of best diversity program at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 11. The company’s diversity and inclusion committee, formed to leverage resources and drive participation, set a month of different activities in April 2018 to highlight the benefits of inclusivity in […]
Benefits Canada honoured winners across 11 categories at the 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Thursday. In a room at the Arcadian Loft, more than 100 leaders in the benefits, pension and investment industry gathered to see awards presented to winning employers demonstrating the leading-edge work underway to improve employee’s physical, mental and financial health through tangible workplace programs. […]
Creating and supporting an environment of diversity and inclusion is top of mind for most employers today. With increasing globalization and a highly competitive marketplace, organizations need to respond to demographic changes in the communities where they do business. As well, research shows that having a diverse and inclusive workforce allows organizations to attract and retain […]
The current political climate in the United States is so divisive that a fifth (20 per cent) of Americans want discussions about politics censored at work, according to a new survey by job website Indeed. The survey, which polled 2,000 U.S. employees, found 54 per cent of respondents are comfortable with the current level of sharing […]
iA Financial Group is introducing an online enrolment tool for its group benefits members. The tool, which can be accessed through a smartphone, tablet or computer, allows plan members to choose coverage, designate beneficiaries and manage the information of dependants. “The online enrolment tool is an intelligent, high-performance solution that provides a simplified overall experience to employers […]
While the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association generally supports the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ proposed guideline on defined contribution pension plans, certain areas require further clarification. “We recognize that some service providers may require substantial lead time to enhance administrative systems to incorporate functionality, such as capturing and reporting indirect fees, that may not currently exist,” […]
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is having déjà vu. After closing its defined benefit plan to new members in 2013 and introducing a defined contribution component, the organization is now reversing course completely, closing its DC plan at the end of 2017 and re-opening its DB plan to all employees on Jan. 1, 2018. […]
Canadian participation rates in workplace wellness programs are extremely low, with just 11 per cent of employees participating on a regular basis and 23 per cent participating only occasionally, according to the 2015 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. But one workplace wellness program is reversing this trend. Global health organization Merck Canada Inc. launched its program […]
As workforces become more scattered, how can employers ensure they reach all of their workers through their wellness efforts? “Today’s environment is very different from what it was in the past, with an increasing number of employees working from home, being on the road, travelling and having no real regular place of business,” said Sarah […]