With flu season around the corner, it’s important for employers to communicate that it’s acceptable to take sick days and prioritize well-being so employees don’t feel guilty taking time off, says Jodi Kovitz, chief executive officer of the Human Resources Professional Association. “It really is on leaders to encourage people to take sick days because it’s […]
With the return of autumn, change is once again in the air. For the last nine months, I’ve lead the editorial team at Benefits Canada while Jennifer Paterson was taking parental leave to welcome the youngest member of her growing family. This month marks the return of our editorial team to full strength — welcome […]
When Jennifer Young, a global human resources business solutions consultant at Manulife Financial Corp., found out she was expecting her first child in 2021, she thought the coronavirus pandemic would pose the biggest challenge to a healthy pregnancy. But, like many parents, her journey into motherhood ended up requiring a circle of care dependent on […]
Going through a divorce can be an extremely stressful and emotional experience and, unsurprisingly, the impacts can spill into the workplace. “[Employees may be] at work but waiting for that text from the lawyer — they’re distracted on what they’re going to do next in the proceedings,” says Brent Dul, executive vice-president at Randstad Canada. […]
Employers that are highly focused on employee well-being are twice as likely to report better human capital and financial outcomes than companies with low well-being effectiveness, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 3,600 global employers and more than 45,000 employees, found 69 per cent of highly effective employers reported […]
While hybrid and remote working arrangements can help some employees be more productive, it’s important that employers don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when implementing these policies, says Kristin Bower, a partner and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant at Leda HR. “[Implementing a successful remote working policy] takes intentionality and human connection. . . . It’s […]
Roughly one in ten (11 per cent) of all leaves of absence among U.S. workers in the first quarter of 2024 were due to mental health — a 22 per cent increase from this period last year, according to a new report by ComPsych Corp. The report, which analyzed ComPsych’s absence book of business that […]
A majority of global employees say they feel more productive (84 per cent) and more connected to their teams (82 per cent) while working in hybrid or remote working environments than those working onsite, according to a new survey by Zoom Video Communications Inc. The survey, which polled more than 600 C-suite leaders and nearly […]
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Canadian employers say employees’ emotional well-being continues to be their main wellness focus as they navigate challenges posed by workplace mental-health concerns and hybrid working arrangements, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The survey, which polled more than 400 employers, found roughly a […]
The Nova Scotia government has tabled a bill that would significantly increase the amount of unpaid time off for employees who develop a serious illness or are severely hurt on the job. Labour Minister Jill Balser told reporters if the bill becomes law, workers will get up to 27 unpaid weeks off without fear they’ll […]