A fifth (22 per cent) of Canadian benefits plan members report their mental health over the past year was generally poor, more than twice the percentage (11 per cent) who said their overall health was poor, according to the 2022 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. The survey, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, found […]
Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of employees are experiencing high or moderate levels of stress, according to a new survey by Alight Solutions and Business Group on Health. The survey, which polled more than 10,000 employees across the globe, found more than a third (34 per cent) of workers reported symptoms of burnout and just […]
Canadian life and health insurers processed nearly $600 million in claims related to mental health in 2021, up 45 per cent since 2020 and 75 per cent since 2019, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. “2021 was a year of recovery and insurers have been proud partners helping employers […]
As Canadian employers deepen their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to increase the representation of historically underrepresented groups among their workforces, they’re also focusing on attracting, retaining and engaging that talent. These initiatives include placing a greater emphasis on healthy and psychologically safe workplaces and revamping benefits plans to meet a wider range of employee […]
In April 2022, Yelp expanded its insurance coverage for travel expenses for out-of-state medical procedures to include abortion. The increased coverage arrived three weeks before the leak of a first draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion poised to strike down the historic Roe v. Wade ruling, which guaranteed all American women the right to […]
When Monika Mielnik joined Bell Canada as a temporary contractor, she was studying criminology and psychology and working towards joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “I truly thought this was going to be an in and out experience . . . but as time progressed, I continued to excel and be empowered by many of […]
When workplace dental plans are designed to promote employees’ proactive oral health, it can reduce overall benefits plan expenditures, including the cost of medications. Forty per cent of adults are at high risk of poor oral health, including adults with special needs, people with type 2 diabetes, the elderly or frail and those with mental-health […]
The technology company’s senior benefits consultant on employee well-being, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion and bikes races in Western Canada. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Although there can be day-to-day challenges supporting our employees across Canada, Amazon continues to support the increased needs created by the coronavirus […]
The federal government is aiming to launch the first phase of its national dental-care program on Dec. 1. The program, which will provide dental care for uninsured households earning less than $90,000 annually, will initially provide coverage of up to $650 per year for children aged 12 and younger, according to a press release. The […]
The union representing employees at Glencore’s Raglan Mine in Nunavik, Que. has ratified an agreement that includes benefits gains and increases in paid disability leave. Nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of the members of United Steelworkers Local 9449 voted in favour of the five-year agreement, which includes short-term disability coverage of 70 per cent of […]