There has been tremendous focus in recent years on advancements in insurer technology in areas such as employee self-service, online reporting, e-claims and Web-based administration systems. For an industry that has historically been slow to embrace technology, there has now been a significant amount of catch-up in the last three to five years. But are […]
Watch this video Want to tailor your DC plan to members? Then put their investment options directly in front of them and force them to make a choice, says Michelle Peshko, senior advisor, pensions and investments for Xstrata. “Rather than just provide a default that may be appropriate for most people, force the individual to […]
Employee morale is down, but benefits education can be an effective way to boost workplace satisfaction, says a recent survey by U.S.-based benefits provider Unum. The survey of 1,712 working adults found that 63% of employees think their employer values their work, down from 70% in 2008, and that even fewer, 56%, feel that their […]
If you’re looking to hire and retain generation Y workers, you might want to reconsider your benefits and communication plans. As more gen Ys (typically, those born after 1979) enter the workforce—and more baby boomers leave—employers will need to understand gen Y’s preferences and communication styles, especially with respect to workplace benefits. “The ability to […]
Salaries are expected to increase in 2012, but it will take more than that to recruit and retain top talent. Aon Hewitt’s Canada Salary Increase Survey projects an average salary increase of 3.1% next year, a slight improvement over 2011’s actual increases, which averaged 2.9%. The increase is good news for Canadians who may have […]
The good news? Salary budgets are increasing. The bad news? Employees won’t be pocketing as much as they thought. Employers project base salary budgets will increase by 3.1% for next year, according to Mercer’s 2012 Compensation Planning Survey. This is a slight improvement over 2011’s projected increases (2.9%), but well below increases planned before the […]
As most communications professionals will tell you, developing an employee communications strategy without first getting employee input is a risky business. After all, how else will you know what your starting points are, which information employees most need or want, whether your messaging aligns with the day-to-day experiences of members or whom employees perceive as […]
Watch this video A recent trend in DC plans is to go on “auto-pilot,” says Alain Malaket, senior director of pensions and benefits with George Weston Ltd./Loblaw Companies Ltd. Tools such as auto-enrollment, mandatory participation and auto-escalation are becoming increasingly popular. However, Malaket warns that these systems might need a boost from additional programs such […]
Over the last 20 years, we have seen the emergence of a major trend in North America: employee health and wellness are suffering. In Canada and the United States, there have been alarming increases of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Between 1994 and 2005, the rates of arterial hypertension among Canadians increased by 77%, diabetes by […]
Watch this video When it comes to DC, keep it as simple as you can, says Larry Ketchabaw, manager, pension and benefits for Unisource Canada. Ketchabaw stresses the importance of educating plan members, of ensuring that members understand their options and of limiting your offerings. “Keep it simple, don’t make it complicated and your success […]