Working time and work-life balance are key dimensions of an employer’s culture that can impact workers’ health, well-being and quality of life, according to a report by Statistics Canada. It found some flexible working arrangements, such as start and finishing times, can help employees balance work and family commitments, while others, such as long working hours, […]
Canadian companies, especially small- and medium-sized employers, are facing unprecedented challenges in attracting and retaining skilled and motivated talent. According to a recent survey by Robert Half Canada Inc., 42 per cent of Canadian employees have already started searching for a new job or are planning to do so in the first six months of […]
While merit increases offered by Canadian employers remain above inflation and are still higher than pre-coronavirus pandemic times, they’re continuing to trend downward in the first quarter of 2024, according to a new survey by Mercer Canada. The survey, which polled more than 400 employers, found the average national merit increase was 3.2 per cent, […]
To help working mothers with the sometimes overwhelming task of maintaining a work-life balance, employers can invest in inclusive, flexible policies and provide support when parents return to work, says Christine Tatham, chief people officer at Redbrick. Early in Tatham’s career and after having her first baby, a former boss asked her if she wanted […]
Four years ago, as the coronavirus pandemic entered its third month, I unknowingly — and unwittingly — took my first steps towards a new chapter in my career. As a writer for a Canadian travel trade publication, I was suddenly without work as the health crisis brought the global travel industry to a screeching halt. […]
A consultant says location is one of many factors determining pay, while a human resources specialist argues it shouldn’t be a consideration. Cissy Pau, principal consultant, Clear HR Consulting Inc. Work location is certainly a factor to consider when determining pay for remote workers. When conducting compensation benchmarking, it’s common practice to look at pay […]
PepsiCo Canada is baking flexibility into its retirement savings benefits to support employees’ financial security amid the rising cost of living. To help employees reach their retirement savings goal, the food and beverage company is matching employees’ bonuses up to 3.5 per cent, with the employer contribution automatically directed into their defined contribution pension plan. […]
With employees often struggling to find benefits offerings related to mental-health support or chronic conditions, demand for health-care system navigation services has increased significantly in the past few years. In May 2023, the Bank of Montreal launched a digital mental-health navigation guide, available to employees in both Canada and the U.S., that streamlines access to […]
The RBC’s senior director of North American benefits and global well-being discusses building flexibility into the modern benefits plan, harnessing AI capabilities in the banking world and finding wellness in the great outdoors. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Employees are looking for meaningful support in both their professional and […]
While women are increasingly becoming primary income earners, few women manage their own finances as they near retirement, said Elisha Ribeiro, national sales director for integrated and group retirement services at the Canada Life Assurance Co. (pictured right), during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Defined Contribution Plan Summit in February. “In our 20s, there […]