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 […]
The federal government has published its findings from nearly a year of consultations on federal labour standards with Canadian citizens, unions, labour organizations, employers, employer organizations and other stakeholders. “We heard one strong message throughout the consultations: the way Canadians work has changed, but federal labour standards have not,” said Patty Hajdu, minister of Employment, Workforce […]
Expanded leave of absence entitlements in British Columbia, including parental and compassionate leave, took effect at the end of May. The changes to the province’s Employment Standards Act allow mothers to start their maternity leave as early as 13 weeks before their expected due date, which is up from the previous 11 weeks. The province also […]
Canada’s top small and medium employers are offering their employees some unique human resources programs, including a retreat in British Columbia and recognition tokens that can be redeemed through an online store. According to Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s annual awards, Edmonton-based real estate developer Rohit Group of Companies provides employees with an annual retreat to a resort in […]
The new five-week parental sharing benefit announced in the 2018 federal budget is causing some concern among employers. Commenting on Benefits Canada’s website, Asha Mohammed, director of human resources and payroll at Centennial College’s Tribute Communities, asked: “Why a new leave again? This is such an expense to employers who are already stressed with all the leaves.” Dan Kelly, […]
Lowe’s Companies Inc. is enhancing its maternity and parental leave benefits and adding adoption assistance for eligible American employees in light of the new U.S. tax reforms. Full-time hourly and salaried U.S. employees will receive 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and two weeks of paid parental leave; an adoption assistance benefit to cover up to $5,000 of the […]