Ontario is eyeing a new system to provide “portable benefits” for workers in the gig economy, retail and hospitality sectors who don’t currently have health, dental or vision coverage. Under the plan, workers would be able to keep their benefits even if they change jobs, said the province in a press release. If the plan […]
Employers are turning to virtual health care offerings to support employees’ physical wellness amid the ongoing pandemic. Since Alithya, a Montreal-based technology company, launched a wellness portal last July, a virtual fitness program has become one of the most utilized benefits offerings, says Catherine Bourque, its vice-president of human capital. The program — which allows employees to […]
The majority (69 per cent) of employed generation Z and millennial Canadians are struggling with anxiety, while 59 per cent are dealing with depression, according to a new survey by Ipsos for RBC Insurance. The survey, which polled more than 1,500 employed Canadians aged 18 and over, found those aged 18 to 34 were significantly […]
While there’s a 2.5 per cent lifetime chance of having alopecia areata, the progression can be unpredictable and cause a lot of stress for patients, according to Dr. Lyn Guenther, professor of dermatology at Western University, during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada and supported by Pfizer earlier this month. Alopecia areata is more than […]
Alberta’s nurses have a new collective bargaining agreement, which includes more mental-health support as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. In addition to more psychological and mental-health supports, the deal includes the creation of a union-employer workload advisory committee, $5 million a year toward recruitment and retention strategies in rural and remote areas and $2.5 million a […]
While 86 per cent of U.S. employers said mental health, stress and burnout are top priorities, only 25 per cent have already articulated and adopted a well-being strategy, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled 322 employers, found while 42 per cent redesigned their employee assistance program in 2021, 39 per […]
Uber Technologies Inc. has signed an agreement with a private sector union that will provide representation to Canadian drivers and couriers, but doesn’t unionize workers. Through this agreement, Uber will prioritize new benefits and protections for drivers and delivery people, as well as enhancing their flexibility to work if, when and where they want, according […]
Scotiabank is implementing a new global standard for parental leave across its global footprint by 2025. The enhanced offering will include eight fully paid weeks for all parents welcoming a new child, such as adoptive parents, and eight additional fully paid weeks for parents who’ve given birth. The enhancements to the parental leave policy, which […]
This year, Canadian employers are marking Bell Canada’s Let’s Talk Day by addressing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the mental health of employees. The annual event, which began in 2010 to encourage discussions about mental health, is built on four pillars: mental-health research, workplace leadership, ending stigmas around mental health and advocating for mental-health […]
Montreal’s AGA Benefit Solutions is acquiring Markham, Ont.’s J&D Benefits. AGA Benefit Solutions provides the development and administration of customized group insurance plans and specializes in group retirement plans. J&D Benefits offers customized benefits administration services, specializing in multi-provider, flexible benefits and multi-employer platforms. Read: Maple acquiring Wello, CloudMD finalizes MindBeacon deal Todd Rappitt, president of […]