Employers in the U.S. expect health benefits costs to rise 4.7 per cent on average in 2022 compared to 2021, according to a new survey from Mercer. The survey, based on more than 1,500 employer responses, found fewer employers than usual (38 per cent) are using cost-savings measures — such as raising deductibles or co-pays […]
Benefits Canada is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. At a virtual roundtable and awards ceremony on Thursday, 23 finalists gathered to discuss their leading benefits and pension strategies, followed by winner announcements across 10 categories. All of the finalists represent benefits and pension plans covering nearly 300,000 Canadians. These employers are proactively and passionately aiming to […]
As innovative medicines become more widely covered in workplace drug plans, employers are tasked with finding new ways to control costs while ensuring members receive the best value. “Obviously, this is good because such offers provide more treatments for employees and their families that can help get them back to the workplace sooner rather than […]
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ottawa Community Housing Corp. battened down the hatches and focused on addressing any absence management issues before they occurred. Now, Cindy Newell, the company’s director of human resources, says OCH is expecting to see fewer disability leaves post-pandemic, thanks to a proactive absence and disability management strategy […]
As the country began shutting down to focus on beating back the coronavirus at the height of the pandemic in March 2020, people with chronic health conditions fell to the back of the health-care line. “While all Canadians probably faced — to some extent — a negative impact due to some of the public health […]
SAP Canada Inc.’s vice-president and head of human resources talks embracing flexible working, keeping the “human” in HR and winter sports. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. SAP is a global organization, so everything we do must be within the context of what works for us in the country but […]
Employees at several Indigo Books & Music Inc. stores across Canada are unionizing, as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has “highlighted the precarity of retail work in general and how little say workers have in rapidly changing work environments. “Joining [United Food and Commercial Workers Canada] provided security and gave workers a voice without fear of retaliation,” […]
More than eight in 10 (83 per cent) U.S. organizations are implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in 2021, according to a new survey by WorldatWork. Among the 83 per cent, almost a third (29 per cent) said they took their first action on DEI initiatives during the past 12 months. Nearly all (97 per […]
Employees are prioritizing workplace benefits plans amid an increasingly competitive job market, according to a new Ipsos survey for RBC Insurance Inc. The survey, conducted among more than 1,000 working Canadians aged 18 and older, found 68 per cent would take a job with a good benefits plan over another that pays more but doesn’t […]
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, mental health was viewed as a workplace challenge waiting in the wings, but it’s moving to centre stage for many employers as companies across the globe prepare to mark a second World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10 in the clutches of this public health crisis. “The pandemic has created […]