Mental-health claims by Canadians have increased by 132 per cent since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report by GreenShield. The report, which compiled data from the insurer’s claims database between 2020 to 2023, found women and younger generations account for the majority of mental-health services accessed. Among those accessing mental-health services, stress […]
Plan sponsors worried about the expense and sustainability of their drug plan might initially embrace a pharmacare plan, hoping to shift drug costs to a new program funded by provincial and federal governments. However, this may not be the solution it seems. A single-payer universal pharmacare system might limit medication access for individuals with employer-sponsored benefits […]
Everyone loves a deal, but many Canadians either forget or don’t realize they can find discounts through their workplace. “There really are a lot [of perks] that employees just don’t seem to know about,” says Debby Carreau, chief executive officer and founder of Inspired HR, a human resources consultancy with offices across Canada. “Those things […]
Three-quarters of Canadian organizations (and 67 per cent of global employers) either offer or are keen to offer benefits choice or flexible benefits, according to a new survey by MBWL International, an international joint venture between Barnett Waddingham, Milliman Inc., Lurse and Normandin Beaudry. The survey, which polled more than 250 global employers, found 27 per cent […]
Roughly a third (34 per cent) of employers in the U.S. are providing coverage for glucagon-like peptide-1 medications for both diabetes care and weight-loss management in 2024, up from 26 per cent in 2023, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. However, the survey, which polled more than 270 U.S. employers, found more […]
While the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on public health and the global economy dominated the news cycle in recent years, there has been no shortage of incidents that draw awareness to social disparities the world over, from the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020 to the ongoing discovery of unmarked graves at Canada’s […]
When looking at the future of inclusive benefits, it’s important for employers to take a holistic approach and ensure their benefits plans offer something for everyone. “Whether you’re a recent university graduate, a parent, single or married, we try to support people wherever they’re at,” says Christine Tatham, chief people officer at Redbrick. “For us, it’s […]
The University Pension Plan’s chief people officer discusses expanding the talent pool, providing access to personalized and culturally relevant mental-health practitioners and finding time to enjoy the theatre. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: As a new organization responsible for delivering pension security to 40,000 members, we need to attract […]
Flight Centre Travel Group’s pair of wins in the 2023 Workplace Benefits Awards is reminding employees of the mental and physical wellness offerings available through the company’s benefits plan, says Anna Fisher, the organization’s health and wellness director. “I think, too, that the awards have provided validation for our employees that we do want to […]
Okta Inc.’s enhanced parental leave benefit for non-birthing parents is helping more employees who are fathers take time off to bond with their newborn or adopted children. The software company is offering 18 weeks of parental leave topped up to 100 per cent of their full salary to non-birthing parents. Employees who use the benefit can […]