The majority (91 per cent) of Canadian employers are planning to benchmark their benefits plan against market practices to remain competitive, with half (49 per cent) prioritizing this for next year and 42 per cent for the next three years, according to a new survey by MercerMarsh Benefits. The survey, which polled nearly 350 employers […]
Two-fifths (40 per cent) of Canadian employees say they feel constantly stressed out, according to Telus Health’s latest mental-health index. The survey, which polled roughly 3,000 employees, found the average mental-health score was 63.2 in January, down slightly from December when it was 63.5. Anxiety (56.5) continued to be the lowest mental-health sub-score, followed by isolation […]
The union representing roughly 500 employees at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in London, Ont. has ratified a new three-year contract that includes pension and benefits gains. The agreement provides increased employer contributions to the defined benefit pension plan, including an additional $1 for production employees and an additional $1.20 for skilled trades workers in […]
Calling all employers and plan sponsors — the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards will open for entries on Monday, March 31. This year, Benefits Canada is allowing a bit of extra time for submitting nominations, so we’re opening up the awards portal a whole month early. If your organization is leading the way in transforming the […]
Fewer than half (45 per cent) of Canadian employees say they’re satisfied with their employer’s benefits plan, according to Telus Health’s latest mental-health index. The survey, which polled roughly 3,000 employees, found the average mental-health score was 63.5 in December, virtually unchanged from November (63.4). Anxiety (56.8) continued to be the lowest mental-health sub-score, followed […]
Amid the ongoing tariff dispute between Canada and the U.S., employers can support employee mental health by reminding them of available mental-health benefits and being transparent in their communication, says Kim Siddall, national vice-president of client strategy at People Corporation. She notes the impact of the trade war on employee mental health is two-fold, encompassing […]
The cumulative cost of mental illness is estimated to reach $2.5 trillion by 2041, according to a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation. The coronavirus pandemic led many to seek out help, which subsequently increased mental-health costs. “We saw people who were obviously quite isolated,” says Dr. Donna Ferguson, a clinical […]
Most Canadian benefits plan sponsors (89 per cent) and members (73 per cent) agree their workplace environment supports mental wellness, according to the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. On the converse, about a quarter (27 per cent) of plan members disagreed. Despite the mostly positive perspectives, a quarter is still a significant portion of the […]
While the conversation around mental-health benefits is typically focused on coverage levels, it’s important for employers to unpack the entire mental-health bucket and consider the impacts of other factors like psychological safety and diversity, equity and inclusion. Paula Allen, global leader and vice-president of research and client insights at Telus Health, says there’s a great […]
A majority (65 per cent) of Canadian employers say they have or are working on implementing a diversity, equity and inclusion policy, while 44 per cent of this group said they’re focusing on DEI to attract and retain employees, according to Benefits Canada’s 2024 Future of Work Survey. It found around three-quarters (72 per cent) […]
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