As employers increasingly focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in their human resources policies and benefits programs, KPMG in Canada has introduced a daily living benefit that provides coverage for living aid equipment for employees. Some examples of equipment that qualifies under the new benefit are chairlifts, grab bars and bathroom equipment such as bath […]
Our industry sometimes gets a bad rap for being overly traditional and slow to change. But there’s no question we’ve seen some major shifts in employee benefits over the past 45 years. Three of those shifts will have implications for employers going forward. Greater onus on the individual to save for retirement Over the years, […]
The firm’s benefits, pension and well-being leader discusses diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, destigmatizing mental illness and improving her sewing skills. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: This year, we launched a reimagined benefits program that included a variety of DEI-focused benefits. In the coming year, we’re looking to […]
The majority (89 per cent) of global institutional investors are implementing sustainable investing, compared to 76 per cent in 2021, according to a new survey by FTSE Russell. The survey, which polled nearly 200 asset owners with between US$1.1 trillion and US$3 trillion, found 44 per cent said they’re currently considering how to incorporate climate […]
Thomson Reuters Corp. is marking Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day with the launch of a new mindfulness practice. The practice, called ‘be purposefully present,’ is the result of employee discussions and research conducted throughout the year, says Mary Alice Vuicic, chief people officer at Thomson Reuters. “We [want to help] employees adopt a new […]
Microaggressions — everyone has heard them or may have even used them. Defined as everyday verbal and behavioural slights against a person or group that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative feelings, these put-downs, assumptions and comments — regardless of intention — are hurtful, insulting and damaging to a person’s self-esteem. Especially prevalent in the workplace, […]
As Sept. 30 marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, employer awareness of the impact of Canada’s residential school system has grown since the day was first observed in 2021, but more action needs to be taken, says Kelly Lendsay, president and chief executive officer of non-profit organization Indigenous Works. “It has […]
The vast majority (91 per cent) of plan sponsors believe they promote and support a diverse and inclusive workplace, with 44 per cent strongly agreeing with this statement, according to the 2022 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. The results were consistent among employers in both the public (89 per cent) and private (92 per cent) sectors, as […]
While nearly three-quarters of U.S. executives (74 per cent) and workers (71 per cent) agree pay equity is a top priority, employees say there’s more work to be done on the issue, according to a new survey by the Harvard Business Review and human resources consultancy UKG. The survey, which polled more than 3,000 employees […]
As Canadian employers deepen their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to increase the representation of historically underrepresented groups among their workforces, they’re also focusing on attracting, retaining and engaging that talent. These initiatives include placing a greater emphasis on healthy and psychologically safe workplaces and revamping benefits plans to meet a wider range of employee […]