Workplace wellness programs don’t provide employees with significant measurable outcomes, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study, which looked at 33,000 employees at 160 BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. worksites for a year and a half, found about 4,000 staff participated in the company’s wellness program. It comprised eight […]
The National Football League and the NFL Players Association are putting more resources in place for players’ pain management and behavioural health through new union agreements. The two parties will be forming a joint pain management committee, with medical experts appointed by both the league and the union, according to a press release. The committee will […]
EY Canada is adding online cognitive behavioural therapy to its benefits toolkit, at no cost to employees. The new program, which was introduced at the beginning of May, is in addition to the company increasing its mental-health benefits to $5,000 per employee last December. “It’s another tool in the quiver,” says Stephen Shea, managing partner of talent at […]
Medavie Blue Cross is launching a pharmacogenetic testing pilot project to help group benefits plan members find ideal medication and dosing amounts. The project uses GeneYouIn Inc.’s Pillcheck cheek-swab DNA test, analyzing patients’ genes to understand how their bodies might process certain medications. After the test, the swabs are destroyed for patient privacy. While the project will initially […]
Most people agree massage offers some therapeutic benefits, such as reduction of muscle tension and pain related to soft tissue strains and injuries. Studies have also shown it’s helpful in treating symptoms related to anxiety, digestive disorders, headaches and several other conditions. It wasn’t that long ago that paramedical practitioners represented about 15 to 20 per […]
Foodora couriers are leading an effort to join the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to negotiate with their employer for fairer pay and basic benefits. The Justice for Foodora Couriers group says the company’s classification of its couriers as independent contractors allows it to avoid paying for basic employee benefits, such as the Canada Pension Plan and employment insurance, […]
Manulife is launching a preventative opioid management program, extending its Vitality program to group benefits plans and partnering with digital health company Akira Health. The opioid management program features a two-step system. The first ensures plan members who start opioid treatment do so with a short-term supply, while the second encourages using short-acting opioids at the outset. […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is acquiring Mercer’s stand-alone, large market health and defined benefit pension plan administration business for U.S. employer clients. Mercer will continue to provide these services when they’re bundled with its consulting and brokerage services. It will also continue to provide large market health and benefits administration services for global employer clients with employees in […]
In response to proposed amendments to a regulation under Ontario’s Health Insurance Act, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is suggesting employers providing group travel insurance may start paying more for these products. The proposed change, set for Oct. 1, 2019, will result in no provincial coverage for medical emergencies that occur out of the country. In […]
While 78 per cent of respondents agreed salary is their top reason for accepting one job offer over another, 49 per cent said benefits is also a priority, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled 400 Canadian workers, also found 39 per cent indicated the position’s responsibilities plays a role, […]