In the group benefits world, the first rumblings of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic came when plan sponsors started asking, as early as January, about their travel insurance provisions. “Clients were worried about their business travellers and expatriate employees, in China mostly, and afterwards for their employees travelling for their winter vacations,” said Daniel […]
Sun Life is making a mental-health navigator available to plan members, aiming to help them find support during the coronavirus pandemic. The navigator, provided by Teladoc Health Inc.’s Best Doctors, connects plan members with a case manager who will assess their health history, set up a consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist and keep in touch to make […]
Green Shield Canada is investing in Canadian pharmacogenetics company GenXys Health Care Systems. The two companies will be collaborating on new pharmacogenetic products, which are set to launch later this year, with a focus on driving more informed prescribing, fewer adverse drug reactions and better health outcomes for patients and plan members. “GSC has a […]
Addressing employees’ well-being will be a critical component of returning to the workplace as isolation and closure measures start to loosen. “Our greatest assets [are our] people,” said Wendy Poirier, global well-being leader at Willis Towers Watson, during a webinar last week. “How do we keep them healthy and well, but [also] how do we make them resilient so […]
People Corp. has appointed Brevan Canning as president, effective May 21. Since joining the organization when it was created in 2007, Canning has held senior management positions across third-party administration, collective benefits consulting and shared services. Most recently, he was executive vice-president and head of benefits solutions. Read: People Corp. acquires Sirius Benefit Plans for $15M “[Canning] […]
Plan sponsors have seen significant decreases in their extended health and dental claims over the past three months, according to new data by Eckler Ltd. While the consultancy’s analysis of its large self-insured clients found plan sponsors saw an up to five per cent increase in extended health claims between February and March 2020, these […]
Competitive total rewards programs are a critical component of Canadian organizations’ human resources and corporate strategy, according to a new survey by WorldatWork. The survey, which polled 150 Canadian employers in February, found 96 per cent offer drug, dental, life insurance/accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability and employee assistance programs. Additionally, 93 per cent of […]
The Home Depot Inc. has taken a number of steps to support its employees during the coronavirus pandemic. In its annual earnings report, the global home improvement retailer said it expanded paid time off for all hourly workers with additional hours to be used at their discretion, which will be paid out at year-end if […]
The coronavirus pandemic has prompted U.S. employers to make several changes to their health and retirement offerings, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. On the health benefits side, nearly all respondents (98 per cent) said they’re offering virtual health services, up 10 per cent from before the pandemic. And nearly half […]
Aon has introduced an interactive online tool that forecasts the impact of the coronavirus on employee populations across Canada, aiming to help employers anticipate the effect on their benefits plan costs, absenteeism and potential requirements for shifting work operations. “COVID-19 has brought on uncertainties in many aspects of our lives and this application will help […]