The ways that Canadians partner up is changing, leading to questions about how different types of families access parental benefits. “When we think about Canada, and we think about families, we think about diversity,” said Nora Spinks, chief executive officer of the Vanier Institute of the Family, in a webinar on Tuesday. “And we want to make sure […]
Members of the United Association Local 721 union in Prince Edward Island went on strike last week after being unable to reach a new agreement with their employers over wages and benefits. The union, which represents more than 130 plumbers, pipefitters and welders in PEI, began negotiations with four employers in December. Its previous contract expired […]
Employers are increasingly including diversity and inclusion objectives in their benefits, compensation, workplace culture and well-being initiatives, according to new research by Willis Towers Watson. The survey, which polled 535 U.S. employers, found 55 per cent of employers have promoted diversity and inclusion initiatives relating to workplace policies and culture to their employees in the last three […]
Today’s corporate culture of always being on and available has led to higher levels of work-life conflict where men are struggling to balance their new roles in society, according to a study by Deloitte’s Doblin human-centred design and human capital consulting practices. According to the study, men are now facing backlash when stepping outside traditional […]
Starting in 2019, Etsy Inc. employees will be allowed to trade in up to 14 weeks of parental leave for a cash payment to help with childcare or other family-friendly support as they return to the workplace. The e-commerce company is also introducing access to back-up childcare services, extending paid family leave to all global staff and is providing the option […]
In the first year since the federal government made changes to employment insurance benefits aimed at helping caregivers and new parents, it has received more than 8,300 caregiving benefits claims. The government expects that number to grow, estimating about 22,000 claims for caregiving benefits by fall 2019. It also found that, as of September 2018, more […]
Saskatchewan is proposing an increase to maternity and adoption leaves, calling the suggested changes the longest time off in the country. A bill introduced in the legislature would allow new mothers to take 19 weeks off, one week more than they get now. The proposal would also align parental leave with new federal standards of 59 […]
The British American Tobacco Group is rolling out a range of new parental benefits for its 55,000 global employees. The aim of the new benefits, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2019, is to help new parents balance their home and work lives during the first year of parenthood. It includes a minimum of 16 weeks’ fully […]
A new study in the Journal of Applied Psychology looked at the underlying negative effects of longer legislated maternity leaves on a woman’s career. Defining leaves as one year and longer, the study referred to recent legislation in Canada and Scandinavian countries that encourages prolonged time off for new parents. It looked at the perceived negative effects of longer leaves […]
I am woman. Hear me roar. It may seem a rather cliched way to open my first editorial for Benefits Canada, but it’s no exaggeration to say 2018 has been a watershed year for bringing attention to gender equality and diversity on a global scale. And whether we’re whispering, shouting or roaring, I believe we […]