Sales of U.S. workplace supplemental health insurance products totalled US$2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2022, rising 11 per cent year over year, according to a new survey by LIMRA. It also found workplace supplemental health insurers reported a combined total of $453 million in the third quarter of 2022, three per cent […]
While employment is more than three per cent higher than it was at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, working hours are up by only 1.75 per cent due to increased levels of absenteeism, according to a new report by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Relative to pre-pandemic years, wage costs increased by an […]
The Walt Disney Co. is requiring its white-collar employees to work onsite four days a week beginning in March. According to a report by CNBC, Bob Iger, chief executive officer of Disney, said hybrid workers will be asked to treat Monday through Thursday as in-person workdays. “As I’ve been meeting with teams throughout the company […]
Employers requiring workers with disabilities to return to the office should increase flexibility and regularly check in with these employees to make the transition as smooth as possible, says Farzeen Mawji, national practice leader in inclusion and diversity at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Remote and hybrid working arrangements proved beneficial for many employees with […]
Flexible schedules and shorter workweeks can lead to more productive, healthy and loyal workers, according to a new report on work-life balance by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization. It found that giving employees flexibility in terms of where and when they work can be win-win for both employees and employers. The U.N. agency said flexible […]
Retiree spending of public and private sector pension benefits generated US$1.3 trillion in total economic output in the U.S. in 2020, supporting nearly 6.8 million jobs during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report by the National Institute on Retirement Security. It also found $612.6 billion in pension benefits were paid […]
Over the past year, a number of employers have mandated that employees return to the physical office, citing the need for in-person collaboration and social connection. The demand begs the question — will employees, who are begrudgingly reintegrating long commutes and daycare drop-offs and pickups back into their workday, be as engaged and productive as […]
Similar to 2022, the coming year will present both challenges and opportunities for defined benefit pension plan sponsors, with the rewards going to plan sponsors that are resilient, embrace change and are willing and able to act when opportunities arise. Several trends that will be top of mind in the year ahead are: Inflation The […]
The coronavirus pandemic put mental health squarely on employers’ agendas and this focus on employee well-being is even more important as some organizations return to in-person work. In 2023, employers will continue to re-evaluate how they support their employees and it’s likely many organizations will provide increased flexibility, such as remote working options or a […]
Amid the lingering coronavirus pandemic, vaccination policies and paid sick leave were top of mind among Benefits Canada’s readers in 2022. However, stories about new employee benefits and compensation planning, as well as pension and retirement matters, also caught readers’ eyes. Here are Benefits Canada’s 10 most popular stories of the year: 1. Feds consider definition of ‘fully […]