As Canadians head to the polls today, Benefits Canada takes a look at how the federal parties’ campaign promises could impact the human resources, benefits and pension industries. Read: Conservatives, NDP pension promises include super-priority for members The Conservative Party is proposing a plan that would put pension plan members first when the company sponsoring […]
While 53 per cent of employees said their employer has provided good support during the coronavirus pandemic, 40 per cent reported difficulty in accessing mental-health care through their workplace benefits plan, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, conducted among 14,000 employees across 13 countries, found access to quality mental-health care was more […]
With restrictions gradually lifting across the country this summer, employers started to turn their attention to their return to the workplace plans. Now, the fourth wave is underway and uncertainty continues to hang around us like a heavy, dust-covered curtain. But it’s time to clean up, move forward and set out plans for the big […]
More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of U.S. employers plan to differentiate and customize their benefits programs over the next two years, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. As drivers to revamp their benefits strategy, personalize the employee experience and manage the costs of their offerings, survey respondents cited an increased focus […]
Canadian insurers paid out more than $97 billion in benefits from life and health insurance products in 2020, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. The period, which included the first nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, included $420 million paid out for psychology-related claims to support mental health, up 24 […]
If elected, the Conservative Party is promising to help employers prioritize mental health in the workplace. As part of its election platform, the Conservative Party said it will provide employers with a federal tax credit for 25 per cent of the cost of adding mental-health coverage to their employee benefits plans for the first three […]
Ontario is extending a temporary paid sick leave program for workers until the end of this year. Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced that the coronavirus pandemic program set to expire on Sept. 25 will be extended to Dec. 31, 2021. He said the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant prompted the move to give more […]
It’s 18 months this week since a global coronavirus pandemic was first declared and employers are applying many hard lessons learned as Canadian organizations and employees stare down further uncertainty wrought by the Delta variant, fourth wave and stagnant vaccination rates. As the country and world looks towards another tumultuous fall and winter, employers are […]
Benefits Canada is pleased to announce the finalists of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. This year’s entry and judging process took place during the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, the annual awards welcomed more than 100 entries highlighting how leading employers are supporting their employees’ physical, mental and financial well-being. In its sophomore year, the awards’ newest category — Coronavirus […]
Air Canada’s recent decision not to offer rapid testing as an alternative for employees who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus sets a tough new precedent that other companies may emulate, experts say. Canada’s largest airline will require all employees to disclose their vaccination status by Oct. 30. Employees who don’t have a valid reason […]