The previous year was an interesting one in the world of employee benefits plans. Over the previous 12 months, employers have navigated the explosion of claims for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, some forward momentum on national pharmacare and some employers changed their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Here are five […]
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation is fuelling uncertainty among Canadians regarding the direction of the country, financial markets have been surprisingly resilient in reaction to the news, says Francis Gingras Roy, a senior financial advisor at Manulife Wealth Inc. He notes when Trudeau announced his resignation last Monday, the TSX ended the day pretty flat. […]
With all the focus on women’s health in the workplace in the past year, employers should be providing more support for pregnant employees by improving their financial security, having open discussions around symptoms and offering more flexibility. As a soon-to-be first-time mom — who was unsure how she felt about becoming pregnant at first — my […]
As gig workers make up a greater share of the Canadian workforce, a lack of retirement savings options may leave this growing demographic facing financial insecurity in their senior years. According to data from Statistics Canada, 871,000 Canadians performed gig work as their primary job in the fourth quarter of 2022. Among those gig workers, […]
The workplace programs, tools and supports that employees value have changed over the last four years, leading many employers to pause certain office perks, such as table football or fancy coffee bars, to focus on offerings that can make a difference in employees’ everyday lives. “While no one can say employees won’t enjoy a foosball […]
Seven in 10 (70 per cent) employees say they’re dissatisfied with their employer’s current benefits plan, according to a new survey by Robert Walters Canada. The survey, which polled more than 500 employees, found more than a quarter (27 per cent) agreed the benefits their employer offers are mostly trivial and do more to attract employees […]
As a financial institution that provides banking and wealth management services to customers, Meridian Credit Union ensures it also offers employees a comprehensive suite of services to support their financial wellness. This includes a defined contribution pension in which staff contribute a mandatory three per cent of annual earnings, with the employer contributing between three […]
Amazon Canada’s commitment to unique financial wellness offerings led to a win at Benefits Canada‘s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. The technology company was recognized in the Financial Wellness Program category for offering its more than 48,000-person workforce free estate planning as part of its benefits package. It wanted to stress the need for […]
Admiral Insurance’s award-winning benefits program is demonstrating how employers can use versatility to strike a fine balance between finding innovative solutions and maintaining plan sustainability. The organization was the winner in the Drug/Benefits Plan Innovation category of the 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards. “We’re honoured to win this award and be nominated in three categories,” says Allison Jost […]
PepsiCo Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards win demonstrates how weaving diversity, equity and inclusion into strategic business practices can foster employee mental health and wellness. The food and beverage company’s inclusive end-to-end business transformation strategy made it this year’s winner in the DEI Program category. “It’s so fantastic that all of our hard work has been […]