Navigating the care path for health-care issues can be overwhelming and confusing — so much so, it can act as a deterrent to people seeking help. In terms of mental-health support, the Bank of Montreal launched a digital navigation guide in May to point staff in the right direction. The tool, which is available to […]
In 2022, Xero sent out a global survey to all of its employees asking them to rank the most important components of its total rewards program, from time off to flexible working policies, salaries to employee benefits. The software company’s Canadian employees ranked health benefits as one of the most important aspects of total rewards. […]
Though still a fairly new concept, pet benefits are becoming a more common consideration when employers are expanding their offerings and looking to stand out. In August 2022, Talk Shop Media introduced a ‘pawrental’ leave policy, which allows employees to take time off around the adoption of a new pet to focus on ownership duties, […]
The gaming and entertainment company’s new manager of benefits, retirement and wellness discusses improving benefits communication, transferring total rewards skills and her favourite Peloton workouts. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: I’d like to develop an ongoing education and communications strategy to promote our current benefits programs and categorize […]
An article on whether Canada should implement flexible working legislation was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Should Canada implement flexible working legislation for all workplaces? 2. How DC plan sponsors can prevent a Muslim pension gap 3. How employers can support employees impacted by […]
While innovative benefits such as so-called ‘grandternity’ leave can support employee retention efforts, they’re best implemented through a diversity, equity and inclusion approach that includes similar programs for a wide range of employees, says Sandra Ventin, an associate vice-president at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. “I think [‘grandternity’] has some cachet and it obviously leads […]
Nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of employers recognize they’ll need to offer a wider variety of benefits options to meet the expectations of the different generations in their workforces, according to a new report by LIMRA and EY. In particular, the survey, which polled more than 800 U.S. employers and more than 1,800 employees, found demand […]
The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4554 at Memorial University and the university’s students’ union are ratifying a new four-year collective agreement that includes improvements to employees’ benefits and pay. The agreement includes a new fertility treatment clause that provides time off and financial support for employees seeking treatment, since there’s a lack of fertility […]
With wildfires raging across the country over the past weeks, employers can support affected employees by offering easily accessible tools and resources, flexible work schedules and extended wellness benefits, says Alex Boucher, principal consultant and total health management leader at Mercer Canada. Whether they’ve been removed from their homes or are worrying about smoke inhalation, employees are […]
Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan, which took effect on July 1, include $75,000 for certain gender affirming procedures not covered by provincial or territorial health-care programs. Other new benefits include: $300 per year each for a registered dietician, occupational therapist and lactation consultant; $200 per year for batteries for hearing aids; $600 per […]