On June 5, Benefits Canada‘s 2019 Chronic Disease at Work conference featured educational presentations around trends and treatments in an effort to help plan sponsors and advisors make the best decisions for their plans and members. Here’s what you missed! Behavioural change a key component to managing chronic disease More than 50 per cent of […]
Given the volume and depth of data available in benefits plans, as well as the complexity of problems to be solved, machine learning and broader artificial intelligence are unquestionably the future of plan and member health management. That said, there are some important challenges for plan sponsors to consider as they look at these new […]
Though data has been a buzzword in the investment world for years, new and unique types of data have the potential to add value to both quantitative and fundamental investment models, according to a new report by Greenwich Associates. Looking at less traditional, or alternative, forms of data is becoming more interesting to active asset managers struggling to beat […]
PCL Construction Ltd.’s vice-president of human resources and professional development discusses the many dimensions of wellness, virtual health care and hiking in the Rockies. Q. What are the top challenges you face in your role? A. The top challenge right now is getting employees aware and involved with their [benefits] plan. We’re on a flex […]
Benefits fraud is a top concern among plan sponsors and insurance carriers, as it makes the cost of providing benefits plans more expensive, leading to higher insurance premiums. At Benefits Canada’s 2019 Benefits and Pension Summit in Toronto on April 17, Shelley Frohlich, director of fraud risk management in Sun Life Financial Inc.’s group benefits division, will […]
Looking at the role of plan design in driving member outcomes, it comes down to data and experience, according to Margaret Rux, principal and department head of retirement plan client services at the Vanguard Group., at Benefits Canada’s 2019 DC Plan Summit in Banff, Alta. in February. Capturing data from five million members and more […]
As the retirement savings environment evolves, the pension industry must be aware of the changes to move with them, said Zaheed Jiwani, principal at Eckler Ltd., in a session wrapping up the key learnings from Benefits Canada’s 2019 DC Plan Summit in Banff, Alta. in February. These changes include shifting demographics, new offerings and consolidation […]
While half of workers frequently work outside the office, 11 per cent said their employer has no security protocols for using work-related electronic devices offsite, according to a new study of Canadian employees by document destruction company Shred-it. “The study findings serve as a wake-up call for executives, as we see a large portion of employees either working […]
Mental illness and problems with mental health cost employers $20 billion annually, and it’s the cause of one in every three claims for short- and long-term disability, according to a study by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. It’s no wonder mental health remains an area of focus for Canadian employers. While they grapple with how to tackle […]
How can search terms help predict elections? Do parents secretly favour boys over girls? For Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, a former data scientist at Google and the author of Everybody Lies, the answer to these questions isn’t found in traditional polls commonly used in most sectors, but rather in the billions of Google searches people make every day. Exploring choice […]