Plan sponsors are facing the perfect storm of rising benefits costs, a surge in chronic disease prevalence and fierce competition for top talent. All the while, 55 per cent of Canadian workers feel their employee benefits plan doesn’t fully meet their needs, according to Telus Health’s mental-health index. More than 50 per cent of plan members […]
Many plan members are experiencing risk factors related to poor mental, physical and financial well-being, but often don’t know they can turn to their benefits plans for help. Indeed, when Canada Life’s disability claims report asked plan members going on disability whether they sought out counselling through their benefits plans, more than half said they […]
Citing a variety of surveys, Terry-Lynn Levy (pictured left), manager of human resources, benefits, wellness and HR information systems at Fluor Canada, said more than a third of Canadians cite money as their biggest financial concern and people experiencing financial stress are twice as likely to report poor overall health. These individuals are also more prone […]
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, employers will likely start to see more chronic diseases in their employee population and should consider proactive strategies for supporting workers’ overall health, said Peter Nord, chief medical officer at Medcan, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Chronic Disease at Work conference in early February. “Employees are looking around for […]
A pilot project between Sun Life Canada and CloudMD found employees who had access to a mental-health coach and targeted interventions at the early stage of a mental-health challenge saw significant reductions in their symptoms over time, as well as lower short-term disability durations for those who took leave. “Early detection initiatives can really enhance […]
With its flexible yet comprehensive approach to employee well-being, Franklin Templeton Investments took home the award for a health and wellness program with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 17. “I think our holistic approach to health — in that it’s not just the physical components […]
The mantra “build it and they will come” may have worked in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, but it doesn’t always work with wellness programming. When wellness programs are first introduced, they typically achieve fairly high levels of participation. However, participation often declines once the newness wears off. Incentives can help engage, re-engage and […]
People know they shouldn’t be smoking, just as they know they need to move their bodies more, eat real food and save for retirement. But a lack of care for total health may be preventing change around these habits. Do people truly believe something out there — science, celebrity miracle programs or some higher power — will suddenly save them […]