EQ Care is offering free access to its on-demand mental-health support program to help people cope as Canada endures a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. “Being committed to empathetic and compassionate care for the last 30 years, we recognize the important role EQ Care is privileged to play in improving the health of Canadians during this challenging […]
The costs of employer-provided health plans in Canada are expected to rise seven per cent next year, outpacing general inflation by more than five per cent, according to a new report by Aon Canada. Contributing factors include higher drug prices, the impact of non-communicable health risks and the continued introduction of new and expensive therapies. Indeed, […]
Like a spiky meteorite, when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year it demolished employer’s best-laid plans and is forcing them to find innovative ways to support, motivate and retain employees. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 16, the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed how they’ve quickly responded to everything from employee mental health to supporting financial wellness […]
Highlighting a long-standing commitment to the health of its employees, SSQ Life Insurance Co. was awarded the Sanofi Canada Wellness Pioneer Award at Benefits Canada‘s 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 16. Its health and wellness program, which was established 15 years ago, integrates health prevention and health promotion, a lever it considers essential to […]
Scotiabank secured its second win at Benefits Canada‘s 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 16 for adapting its existing benefits and introducing new resources to support employees in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. In the Coronavirus and Benefits category for an employer with more than 5,000 employees, the bank’s entry outlined how it transitioned 60 […]
Telus Health is launching a mobile mental-health app for frontline workers, first responders and their families. The app, Espri, aims to provide confidential and ready access to crisis and prevention support, as well as mental wellness tools, such as a resource hub, task manager, a video-conferencing feature and resources list. “The current health emergency has highlighted […]
In its 2020 budget submission to the Ontario government, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is highlighting a lack of access to affordable prescription drugs and inflexible pension plans. With respect to prescription drugs, the CLHIA noted it supports the federal Patented Medicine Prices Review Board reforms, which were introduced on Friday. “It is crucial that the […]
With 95 per cent of employees working from home as of mid-March, TMX Group Ltd.’s wellness team quickly mobilized to create and implement a weekly virtual wellness program to keep them happy, healthy, engaged and motivated during a truly challenging time. The program, which was rolled out across the first 10 weeks of the coronavirus […]
At Benefits Canada‘s 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 16, Scotiabank was recognized for a mental-health strategy that starts at the top of the organization and focuses on total employee well-being. “It’s one thing for [human resources] to preach from the centre the importance of mental health, but it’s quite another — and quite inspiring — to […]
Canadian employers that were hoping to get back to business as usual this fall have had those hopes dashed as the second wave of the pandemic pummels hospitals, as well as bottom lines and return-to-office plans. Our country is nowhere near herd immunity, which means without a safe and effective vaccine we’re still nowhere near returning to how […]