A recent court ruling that awarded a plaintiff $1.5 million in punitive damages against the Blue Cross Life Insurance Co. of Canada — in connection with its more than six-year denial of long-term disability benefits — could result in increased costs for employer-sponsored benefits plans. “If this sets a precedent, then higher awards will be […]
On Thursday, employees at a Trader Joe’s supermarket in Massachusetts became the latest workers at a major company to approve a labour union. The store is the first Trader Joe’s with an employees’ union. The union vote, counted by National Labor Relations Board agents in front of witnesses from management and employees, passed 45-31 with […]
An article on Public Health Sudbury’s violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code following an employee’s termination over a vaccine refusal was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Arbitrator finds employer violated Ontario Human Rights Code for termination over vaccine refusal 2. More […]
Ontario’s New Democratic Party is calling on the provincial government to establish a permanent 10-day paid sick leave program, saying it would help limit the spread of monkeypox and other infectious diseases. NDP legislator Kristyn Wong-Tam said the isolation recommendation for those who are sick with monkeypox can be 21 days or potentially longer. She […]
Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of employers have increased their communications emphasis on mental-health and behavioural health offerings in the past two years, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In addition, the survey found 90 per cent of employers said they offer employee assistance programs, 86 per cent […]
While more than a third of disability claims under Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plans in 2022 were due to mental-health reasons, just two-thirds (63 per cent) of organizations are addressing this risk effectively, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 100 organizations globally, found more than half (55 per cent) […]
The Ontario government is extending its paid sick leave program to March 31, 2023 to ensure employees don’t lose pay if they miss work due to a coronavirus infection. Eligible workers will continue to receive up to $200 a day for a maximum of three days if they need to get tested, vaccinated, receive booster […]
A quarter (26 per cent) of Canadians say work factors are their primary sources of stress, according to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index. Among this group, the leading sources of stress were volume of work (25 per cent), performance demands (14 per cent) and lack of support (12 per cent). Three-quarters (74 per cent) of all […]
With more data emerging showing vaping can lead to lung injuries and other adverse health issues, many employers have concerns about the potential cost of providing extended health-care benefits to employees who vape, says Julie Stich, vice-president of content at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. “We’re seeing more and more evidence coming forth […]
Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of employees say their current benefits package makes them at least somewhat more likely to remain with their employer, according to a new survey by LIMRA. It found 61 per cent of employees who receive more than six benefits reported being satisfied with their benefits package, whereas only a third […]