An advisory group tasked with recommending how Canada should handle the right to disconnect after work hours was split on whether the country should adopt a legislative requirement for workplaces. A final report released Feb. 10 by the Right to Disconnect Advisory Committee said unions and non-governmental organizations that were consulted want the country to […]
Diversity, equity and inclusion are top of mind during Black History Month, so it’s no surprise two of the top five stories over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com relate to efforts by organizations to address a range of DEI issues in February and beyond. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. How HOOPP is […]
It’s a Catch-22, this rise in the focus on mental health. Nearly two years after the coronavirus became a household name, employers are still ramping up their mental-health supports, a testament to the sustained attention to making people’s mental wellness a focal point — in the workplace, at home and in society at large. But […]
Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, leading Canadian employers are demonstrating their unwavering commitment to supporting their employees’ mental health. In fact, Benefits Canada’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards’ mental-health category was so packed with standout entries that it was split into two categories based on company size. The four finalists and two winners have […]
Landing in the emergency room in the middle of the night was a wake-up call for Margaret Eaton. She started a new job as the Canadian Mental Health Association’s national chief executive officer in January 2020. Then, about two months into her new gig, the coronavirus pandemic hit. As the pandemic’s finish line kept moving […]
Nearly two years after the declaration of the global coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent impact on the worldwide economy, institutional investors are looking to the future with cautious optimism. Amid a recovering economy and rising inflation, pension plan sponsors are taking a long-term investment view and staying the course in the year ahead, while incorporating […]
Making mental health and well-being the foundation of an organization’s culture wields success for employers. Well before the coronavirus pandemic put mental health in the spotlight, Schneider Electric was taking a proactive approach to psychological safety in the workplace by naming it as a priority and building a culture of inclusion that allows employees to […]
Sobeys Inc.’s mental-health program manager discusses simplifying support, the echo pandemic and the joys of new parenthood. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: My role was created during the pandemic, so it’s probably no surprise that [mental health] tops the list. Sobeys’ workforce is made up primarily of essential workers […]
Employees’ confidence in their organization’s culture and leadership has dropped slightly (three per cent) since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey by Eagle Hill Consulting. The survey, which polled more than 1,000 employees across the U.S., found slightly more than a quarter (29 per cent) believe their organization has trusted leaders […]
Legal challenges of employer vaccine mandates and health measures are being tossed out as arbitrators in Canada largely side with the need to maintain safe workplaces during a pandemic, say legal experts. Most of the cases with rulings so far involve employee grievances in unionized workplaces, which have an expedited decision-making process compared with the courts, […]