While the withdrawal of provincially-insured eye services by Ontario optometrists is unlikely to have a direct impact on benefits plans, it could cause a “trickle-down effect,” according to Kim Siddall, vice-president of enterprise consulting for the west at People Corporation. “Given that under Ontario law, insurers can’t cover the cost of the eye exams which were […]
More than half (53 per cent) of Canadian job seekers are looking for better pay and benefits, according to a new survey by data intelligence company Morning Consult. While 35 per cent of respondents said they’re switching roles because of the coronavirus pandemic, 87 per cent said they’re either somewhat concerned, concerned or very concerned […]
If elected, the Conservative Party is promising it will encourage employers to add mental-health coverage to their benefits plans by offering a tax credit for 25 per cent of the cost of this additional coverage for the first three years. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party is promising Canadians increased access to free mental-health services through a new […]
Uber Technologies Inc. is revealing more details of a labour model it’s pitching to Canadian provinces and territories, a model that’s drawn opposition from some worker groups. The Flexible Work+ model the San Francisco-based tech giant has pushed since March asks provinces and territories to force Uber and other app-based companies to create a self-directed […]
If elected, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh is pledging to begin working with provinces immediately to deliver a single-payer, public pharmacare program for all Canadians. The NDP say millions of people can’t afford to take the medications they need and must skip doses, cut their pills in half or even go without them. “We […]
More than a third (41 per cent) of U.S. employees believe unvaccinated workers should pay higher insurance rates, with generation Z the least supportive (23 per cent) and baby boomers the most supportive (45 per cent), according to a new survey by Eagle Hill Consulting. The survey was published this week as federal regulators in […]
The vast majority (94 per cent) of employers said they expect an increase in medical services in 2022 due to delayed care during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by Business Group on Health. The survey, which polled 136 large employers that cover more than eight million plan members, asked about changes they […]
A majority (88 per cent) of organizations across the globe believe their workers are more stressed now than they were two years ago, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Employers said a majority (92 per cent) of their overall employee population is now somewhat or very stressed. And […]
Delta Air Lines will charge employees on its company health plan US$200 a month if they fail to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, a policy the airline’s top executive says is necessary because the average hospital stay for the virus costs the airline $40,000. Chief executive officer Ed Bastian said all employees who’ve been hospitalized […]
When Katie Parkin’s father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June, the family was relieved to learn his benefits plan included an opioid management program to help educate members on their pain relief options. Parkin’s organization — Vancouver Island-based Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre — offers a similar program, which was made available […]