Ontario’s small claims court has ruled that an employer’s letter, which described the benefits coverage that would exist following a divestment as ‘comparable’ to prior levels of coverage, didn’t create a contractual obligation to preserve past service benefits. “The decision makes a clear distinction between an informational announcement or other general information that is not […]
An article on legal challenges filed against the federal government’s hybrid work mandate for public service employees was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. Unions representing federal public service workers file legal challenges against hybrid work mandate 2. Expert […]
Unions representing more than 270,000 federal public service workers have filed a series of legal challenges to the federal government’s new mandate requiring its workers to report to the office three days per week. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees […]
An article highlighting CGI Group’s initiatives for Mental Health Awareness Month was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. CGI Group promoting mental-health support through compassion tool, employee recognition 2. Gen Z reports worsened communication skills due to remote working, […]
A Saskatchewan arbitrator has ruled that Canadian Blood Services doesn’t owe an employee eight years of retroactive pension contributions because it took the proper steps to fix its failure to provide her with enrolment forms within the appropriate time limits. “The decision recognizes that mistakes happen in administering pension plans and that administrators can take […]
The federal government has begun imposing financial sanctions on the Canada Life Assurance Co. after months of outcry from public servants, retirees and their families who were left fighting for medical claims to be covered, according to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Public Services and Procurement Canada said it’s “taking steps to address startup delays faced by […]
An article on how employers are enhancing their benefits packages to boost talent attraction and retention was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. 70% of employers say it’s impossible to offer all benefits demanded by employees: survey […]
An Ontario Superior Court ruling that allowed IBM Canada Ltd. to retrospectively rectify drafting errors that created unintended additional pension benefits for employees on disability leave augurs well for plan sponsors seeking similar relief going forward. “The case clarifies that there is a specific test for rectification of pension plans and other unilateral instruments, which […]
The Canada Revenue Agency’s guidance for determining a full-time remote worker’s province of employment for payroll deduction purposes, which came into force on Jan. 1, could prove burdensome to employers. “While the intention is to create certainty, whether it will do so remains to be seen,” says Sarah Mills, an employment lawyer at Blaney McMurtry […]
Thousands of ride-hailing and delivery workers in the U.S. and the U.K. went on strike on Valentine’s Day, calling for higher pay and other changes to their working conditions. In the U.S., Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. drivers planned day-long strikes and held mid-day demonstrations at airports in several cities, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, […]