Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan, which took effect on July 1, include $75,000 for certain gender affirming procedures not covered by provincial or territorial health-care programs. Other new benefits include: $300 per year each for a registered dietician, occupational therapist and lactation consultant; $200 per year for batteries for hearing aids; $600 per […]
The union representing 89 employees at the University of Toronto has ratified a two-year agreement that includes retirement and benefits gains, including gender affirmation coverage. The agreement includes six retiring allowance packages equivalent to two months of base wages for employees who qualify for an unreduced pension in accordance with the University Pension Plan’s provisions. […]
The union representing more than 700 employees at Grand River Transit in Waterloo, Ont. has ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes benefits gains. The agreement between Unifor and the transit company includes enhanced paramedical coverage, from $1,000 to $2,000 per employee per year, which covers chiropractors, naturopaths and acupuncturists. It also includes coverage for […]
As Canadians deal with an uncertain labour market, a public relations professional, who sought out a new job, and a marketing professional, who stayed with her employer, reflect on whether it’s better to stick it out at your current job or find a new one. Aaliyah Corbin, account coordinator at Media Profile A lot of […]
The Alberta Investment Management Corp.’s chief human resources officer discusses the evolving employee life cycle, autonomous working and competitive weightlifting. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: The talent environment is complex right now. There’s an increase in retirements and workers are more transient than before. To ensure we’re rebuilding for […]
Nearly three years have passed since the coronavirus pandemic became a household name. In some ways, March 11, 2020 — the day the World Health Organization declared the global pandemic — feels like yesterday, but in others, it feels like decades ago. In the days, weeks and months since then, the world has irreversibly changed […]
Two Canadian employers explain why it’s important to implement a combination of higher coverage and a variety of practitioners under their plans. Elaine Cheung, director of total rewards at Coke Canada At Coke Canada, employee benefits are key enablers of the overall employee experience. That’s why we listen to our employees and what they need, […]
Between 2019 and 2021, mental-health drug claims skyrocketed among young Canadians, according to a new report by Sun Life Financial Inc. The report, which identified trends using the insurer’s data, found a 24 per cent increase in drug claims to treat mental-health disorders for people aged 30 and under. On the other hand, drug claims […]
Financial education and well-being initiatives are in the spotlight as employees face the stress of multiple financial headwinds — from inflation reaching a 40-year high to the strong likelihood of an impending recession — and search for advice and clarity. “There’s a very strong correlation between financial wellness and mental wellness,” said Dr. Jim Chung […]
Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. is providing employees with coverage for egg freezing and expanding some fertility allowances, as well as introducing gender affirmation coverage. “This is something we’re really proud of because it’s part of our global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy,” says Ksenia Kamenskaya, director of people and culture at RBH. “We want […]