While employees want good benefits, finding ways to effectively convey information about the plan can be a challenge, particularly when today’s workforce is far from homogeneous. Employees are different ages and at disparate stages of life. They may be from various ethnic backgrounds and speak different languages. Another distinction is union versus non-union settings where […]
Employers are under no obligation to offer benefits. But if they do, they must offer them to all staffers in the same situation or face potential discrimination claims. Over the past few years, the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation has grieved the top-up policies of three school boards that barred teachers from receiving benefits for both […]
CIBC, Destination Canada and Via Rail are among employers aligning their employee engagement efforts with the celebration of 150 years since Confederation. Since CIBC is also celebrating 150 years in 2017, it’s tying its own milestone to Canada’s festivities, offering its 44,000 employees a paid day off that they can take near or on their own […]
Employers with recognition programs may be missing the mark in engaging younger employees, according to a new study by the Conference Board of Canada. It found only 37 per cent of organizations are taking today’s multigenerational workforce into account when designing their rewards and recognition programs. The study suggests millennials may not appreciate long-service programs […]
With summer season in full swing, just how many Canadians are planning on taking their vacation in the next few months? A 2017 RBC Insurance survey revealed that 79 per cent of Canadians plan to travel this year, with 60 per cent looking to use their vacation time to explore Canada as part of its 150th birthday celebrations. […]
A new technology platform has entered Canada’s benefits and human resources industry, adding to the multiple disruptors already active in the sector. On Wednesday, Rise People Inc. launched an online platform that allows employers to integrate and manage their human resource, benefits and payroll functions. “After observing how the limitations of standalone HR software solutions […]
Organizational redesign is everywhere, but human resources departments aren’t ready to handle it, a new study from Mercer has found. While 93 per cent of executives are planning structural overhauls, only a third (35 per cent) employ a service delivery model that includes the three components Mercer suggests are necessary for excellence: centres of expertise, […]
The federal government has introduced a new program aimed at simplifying employers’ recruitment processes for high-skilled temporary workers from abroad. The Global Talent Stream program, which is part of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program, speeds up the processing time for work permits by reducing it to two weeks. “I think [the program] is excellent because [employers] have many gaps […]
Social media company Pinterest is introducing new benefits to support employees with the financial costs of adoption and surrogacy. As of July 1, the company will reimburse employees going through the adoption process with up to US$5,000 in net benefits. Those working with a surrogate can receive reimbursement up to US$20,000 in net benefits, covering […]
Canadian employees are becoming more confident in their ability to juggle work and home responsibilities, a new survey from Robert Half Management Resources has found. More than a third (37 per cent) of the 400 office workers surveyed said their work-life balance has improved over the last three years. Forty per cent said it hasn’t […]