The government of Ontario is launching an integrated support program to help people who suffer from work-related stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ontario Provincial Police officers and their families will be at the centre of the program. “The unique challenges and demands our brave men and women in uniform experience on the job when protecting our […]
Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada will expand its extended health-care plan to include gender affirmation coverage to help people who are transitioning. “We know there can be a significant impact on an individual’s mental, emotional and physical well-being when they don’t feel connected to their gender,” said Marie-Chantal Côté, vice-president of market development at […]
Fidelity Investments has launched a charitable giving program, which aims to make it easier for employers to manage their philanthropic programs and for employees to donate to charities they care about. The program, which is integrated with an employer’s benefits plan platform, is an online portal with a list of possible charities. In cases where […]
When Betty-Lynn LaFrance was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017, she was completely shocked as she’d never smoked and had been very active her entire life. Born and raised in Pembroke, Ont., where she still lives with her husband of 34 years, LaFrance has three children and seven grandchildren. When she was diagnosed with ALK+ non-small cell lung […]
Hub International Ltd. has acquired the assets of employee benefits and commercial insurance firm Integrated Risk Solutions Inc. Based in Waukesha, Wis., Integrated Risk specializes in employee benefits, risk management consulting, commercial insurance, loss control engineering and claims management. It has advised on compliance and risk management issues for clients in the construction, manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, […]
Walmart Canada is launching an education assistance program for employees and their eligible family members. The company has partnered with Humber College and its network of educational partners to introduce the AdvancED program. All of Walmart’s full-time staff who attend an accredited Canadian college or university are eligible to receive an annual $2,500 tuition reimbursement. An additional 20 per cent tuition […]
The Great-West Life Assurance Co. is introducing a group benefits solution for small employers. Small employers, with fewer than 100 employees, make up 98 per cent of organizations in Canada, noted a press release. And fewer than half (45 per cent) offer employee benefits, which can leave many without protection from routine and unexpected health costs. Flexbox is a self-serve, […]
Two-thirds (62 per cent) of global employees said they’d exchange their work-related data for more customized benefits, rewards and compensation, according to a new survey by Accenture. The global survey, which polled 1,400 corporate executives and 10,000 employees across 13 industries, also found 92 per cent of employees are open to their employers collecting data […]
Following the legalization of recreational cannabis in October 2018, most Canadian organizations created policies for employees on what is and isn’t allowed in the workplace. But one group that hasn’t been considered is employees’ kids, those in their teenage years who are most vulnerable to cannabis use and overuse. Cannabis use among Canadian youth aged 15 to 24 is […]
In 2018, several significant employment and labour law changes were rolled out across Canada, especially in Ontario, which saw a change of government in June. “These changes will no doubt have an important impact on your workplace,” said Chelsea Rasmussen, an employment and labour law associate at Dentons LLP, speaking during a webinar hosted by the law firm last […]