Manitoba’s auditor general says the provincial government has introduced information technology security measures to help employees work from home, but some improvements are needed. Tyson Shtykalo examined information technology systems after government employees began to work remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. His 23-page report says the province uses encryption to protect data, but some settings […]
With 2024 well underway, it’s important for employers to adapt their strategies in the ever-evolving landscape of employee benefits. Employee expectations continue to evolve and the emphasis on mental health, well-being and personalized benefits continues to grow, requiring plan sponsors to balance innovation with keeping costs in check during uncertain economic conditions. Read: How family-building […]
More than half (58 per cent) of Canadian employees say they prefer to work in a hybrid arrangement (33 per cent) or fully remotely (25 per cent), according to a new survey by LinkedIn Corp. The survey, which polled more than 2,600 employees, found 39 per cent said they prefer to work mostly onsite, either […]
The Ontario Pension Board is working closely with employers to receive updated salary information from public sector workers that may have been impacted by the decision of Ontario’s government to repeal Bill 124. In a communication to members, the investment organization said the changes could include “additional pension contributions for any retroactive wage adjustments.” Read: Ontario […]
In the four-day workweek trials that have taken place in Canada and the U.S., there’s evidence that a shorter week can support higher levels of employee health and happiness while reducing burnout, says Grace Tallon, chief operating officer at the Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence. According to a recent survey by the organization, 42 […]
More than 300 employees of Windsor, Ont.’s Jamieson Laboratories Ltd. are ending their 34-day strike after securing a new contract agreement that includes significant wage increases and benefits enhancements. On March 5, members of Unifor Local 195 voted to ratify a four-year collective agreement — effective Feb. 1, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2028 — that […]
Amid a wave of frank and open discussions about women’s health, more plan sponsors are beginning to review their benefits and human resources policies with an eye to providing better support. It’s something that a group of health-care experts, speaking during a panel discussion at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February, […]
Employers can support employees going through menopause by improving their workplace culture, communication and accommodation policies and employee benefits, said Janet Ko, president and co-founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February. She said menopause came a barrage of symptoms that “blindsided” her and disrupted her […]
Employees with pulmonary arterial hypertension can experience significant impacts to their quality of life and workplace experience, said John Granton, a respirologist with the University Health Network in Toronto, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a very rare condition, affecting less than 10,000 Canadians. It’s […]
With the increased availability of treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, patients can achieve longer periods of remission, said Vipul Jairath, a gastroenterologist at the London Health Sciences Centre and professor of medicine at Western University, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February. IBD involves an underlying pathological process that creates inflammation […]