The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is prioritizing accessibility and inclusion in its new offices at CIBC Square in downtown Toronto. “The building was formally announced in spring 2017, with design research starting shortly after that included consultation with 6,000 employees,” says Claudette Knight, vice-president of workplace design and transformation at CIBC. “The results of that […]
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 […]
More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of Canadian workers with disabilities say they don’t feel valued at work, according to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index. The survey’s respondents reported an overall mental-health score of 64.3, down slightly from 64.9 in October. Apart from optimism (66.4), all mental-health scores declined from October to November, with anxiety […]
Amazon Canada is prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility by working closely with its People With Disabilities employee resource group and adding supports such as internal sign language interpreters. “One of the things we’ve really focused on is building a sense of belonging and demonstrating that we value our employees and the diversity of [our workforce],” says […]
AGA Benefit Solutions is acquiring Vancouver-based Aptus Benefits Inc., a group benefits and retirement consultancy with expertise in collectively bargained plans and executive disability programs. Private equity firm Novacap will finance the acquisition, which is expected to expand AGA Benefit Solutions’ reach into Western Canada, according to a press release. Read: AGA Benefit Solutions acquiring J&D Benefits […]
The percentage of Canadians working from home increased slightly amid a seventh wave of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by Statistics Canada. In July, the percentage of workers aged 15 to 69 who worked most of their hours at home edged up 0.4 per cent to 24.2 per cent. Alongside short-term shifts in work location, many […]
A recent court ruling that awarded a plaintiff $1.5 million in punitive damages against the Blue Cross Life Insurance Co. of Canada — in connection with its more than six-year denial of long-term disability benefits — could result in increased costs for employer-sponsored benefits plans. “If this sets a precedent, then higher awards will be […]
While more than a third of disability claims under Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plans in 2022 were due to mental-health reasons, just two-thirds (63 per cent) of organizations are addressing this risk effectively, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 100 organizations globally, found more than half (55 per cent) […]
More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of large U.S. employers are planning to beef up their benefits plans in 2023 to enhance their attraction and retention efforts, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 700 employers, found a third (32 per cent) of large employers already offer inclusive family-building […]
Procter & Gamble Canada is marking Pride Month with two events for employees to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion issues. On June 14, the consumer goods company will host a roundtable discussion for employees, providing an open forum to talk about LGBTQ2S+ topics, share resources and answer questions, says Lisa Reid, country manager at P&G […]