In certifying a pension class action by Brewers Retail Inc., an Ontario Superior Court judge denounced the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario for defying a decision of its predecessor, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. Justice Ed Morgan certified the class on Feb. 10, 2022, setting the stage for a settlement approval hearing. In […]
Increased benefits and expanded mental-health coverage are among the highlights of a new collective agreement ratified by Oakville Transit workers who are also members of Unifor Local 1256. Under the agreement, which ends a two-week strike, the workers will see an increase in their vision care coverage, from $400 to $450 annually. It also includes […]
An article on British Columbia’s paramedics and their need for enhanced mental-health benefits was the most read story over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. B.C. paramedics seeking enhanced mental-health benefits 2. Canadian pension plans overcoming legislation, governance challenges: webinar 3. Ontario’s DB pension plans should take steps […]
As this wave of the coronavirus pandemic abates and more organizations settle into their respective futures of work, leadership teams are considering how the many factors around the management of work and people will need to evolve. While some organizations don’t want — or can’t — change where people work, those that can have numerous […]
A pair of stories on employee burnout and the ‘Great Resignation’ took the top spots over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Expert panel: How employers can help employees struggling with burnout 2. How can employers turn the ‘Great Resignation’ tide? 3. Employers expanding equity compensation programs to […]
The Ontario Court of Appeal is refusing to consider an appeal from Ontario’s Divisional Court judgement that affirmed employees’ right to sue for wrongful and constructive dismissal in the civil courts in cases of chronic mental stress arising from workplace harassment. “The case makes it very difficult for human resources professionals to give definitive advice […]
While coronavirus vaccine mandates for employees have become a flashpoint in Canada recently, these types of mandates continue to be upheld in several jurisdictions around the world as the pandemic rages on. Here in Canada, a New Brunswick judge has rejected a bid by four public servants to overturn the province’s decision to place them on unpaid […]
Diversity, equity and inclusion are top of mind during Black History Month, so it’s no surprise two of the top five stories over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com relate to efforts by organizations to address a range of DEI issues in February and beyond. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. How HOOPP is […]
Legal challenges of employer vaccine mandates and health measures are being tossed out as arbitrators in Canada largely side with the need to maintain safe workplaces during a pandemic, say legal experts. Most of the cases with rulings so far involve employee grievances in unionized workplaces, which have an expedited decision-making process compared with the courts, […]
As widespread labour shortages force Canadian companies to re-evaluate their employee recruitment and retention practices, experts say pay transparency is increasingly in the spotlight. Outside of the public sector and unionized shops, salaries in North America have long been considered a private matter between employer and employee. Job postings generally don’t disclose compensation and the issue of […]