As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Canadian employers are balancing the need to reduce benefits costs while focusing on employee well-being, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Just over half (55 per cent) of respondents said controlling costs is their top benefits-related challenge this year, with many considering measures such as variable cost […]
Beverly Silver, the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education’s employee benefits officer, talks employee assistance programs, employee training and independent coffee shops. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. I find that most employees don’t take an interest in their benefits plan until they actually need it. The challenge is in making sure […]
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic raising economic concerns, the Arthritis Society is taking a responsive approach with its Financial Literacy Month initiatives during the month of November. “We’re reading the pulse,” says Cheryl McClellan, the organization’s chief operating officer. “We haven’t seen a lot of people stressed directly in our organization, but generally, we understand […]
Employers are increasingly focusing on the engagement and mental health of employees working remotely as the coronavirus pandemic drags on, according to a webinar hosted by Medavie Blue Cross on Tuesday. “We’ve faced lots of crises in the travel industry, from Sept. 11 to the 2008 economic crash,” said Christophe Hennebelle, vice-president of human resources […]
Like a spiky meteorite, when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year it demolished employer’s best-laid plans and is forcing them to find innovative ways to support, motivate and retain employees. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 16, the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed how they’ve quickly responded to everything from employee mental health to supporting financial wellness […]
Coughlan Home’s manager of human resources talks employee assistance programs, ‘quiet rooms’ and showing appreciation. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. Throughout my 15 years in human resources, I’ve found the biggest challenge was encouraging younger generations to begin planning for their retirement. I try to provide scenarios that will […]
On average, one in three Canadians will be disabled for 90 days or more at least once before they reach age 65, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. Therefore, income protection is important, but it’s not always fully understood and cost is sometimes perceived as too high. As a result, some groups […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is expanding into the growing telemedicine market to provide Canadian benefits plan members and their families with more convenient access to digital health-care services. Through its LifeWorks’ business, the company is launching a unified telemedicine service that will provide Canadians with quick access to medical practitioners such as doctors, nurse practitioners and other clinical professionals […]
More than two-thirds (67 per cent) of working Canadians said they’d use video chat, web or telephone-based health support to consult with a mental-health practitioner, up 17 percentage points since 2019, according to a new survey by RBC Insurance. The survey, which polled 1,001 employed or recently laid-off Canadians in July, also found the percentage of working […]
Health and wellness platform Dialogue is acquiring employee assistance program provider Optima Global Health. The purchase is part of Dialogue’s growth strategy to tap into the increasing demands for health and wellness services for employers and employees during this turbulent time, according to a press release. “Tapping into Optima’s established expertise and leadership is critical to the […]