During Danish Yusuf’s morning routine, his work phone rarely rings and seldom is there an appointment with his Toronto insurance company staff. The lack of disruptions is no coincidence. Years ago, Yusuf instructed staff not to plan meetings or send electronic communications early in the morning or after 5 p.m. in hopes of helping staff relax […]
As companies adapt their people strategies for return to the office or for a new remote or hybrid work arrangement, employee retention will be a key consideration in 2022. The coronavirus pandemic has created a buyer’s labour market with many people either contemplating or making a change in their employer. Employees are assessing how they […]
Employers are likely to see the expansion and tweaking of current health and well-being trends next year, according to the Business Group on Health. Virtual health care that integrates with in-person offerings and the continued expansion of mental-health and well-being services are among six trends that will underscore a “collective urgency” for employers and their […]
The coronavirus pandemic will leave an indelible mark on the way businesses operate, said Gary Timlick, chair of the investment committee at the Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program, during a panel session on the long-term impact of the pandemic on commercial real estate at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2021 Investment Innovation Conference. “There will be opportunities […]
Roughly a quarter (23 per cent) of Canadians working exclusively at physical workplaces said their working lives have worsened since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index. The survey — which was conducted between Nov. 9 and Nov. 22, 2021 and prior to the spread of the Omicron variant […]
Several Canadian financial institutions are delaying their return-to-office plans as concerns increase about the highly-transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant. Scotiabank is pausing a planned return to the workplace for head office employees, following the latest coronavirus pandemic guidance from the Ontario government. In an emailed statement to Benefits Canada, a spokesperson from the bank said timing […]
Almost all (94 per cent) small- to medium-sized Canadian employers offer a benefits plan, according to a new survey by Humi. The survey, which polled the organization’s employer clients, found slightly more than a third (42 per cent) of respondents said they’re paying for the full cost of benefits premiums. However, when it comes to […]
With the shift to working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, some leaders are concerned about what employees are actually doing, or not doing, during the workday. Howard Levitt, senior partner at Levitt Sheikh LLP Yes, time theft is a concern when it comes to remote work. A study by Aternity Inc. found overall productivity […]
Hootsuite Inc.’s director of total rewards talks benefits in a remote working environment, the four pillars of wellness and recharging through physical activity. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Hootsuite is very big on diversity, equity and inclusion and we operate in multiple countries, so it’s a balance of finding […]
The federal government is extending several coronavirus pandemic aid measures as the pandemic rages on. During the economic and fiscal update on Tuesday, the government announced it’s extending the simplified rules for deducting home office expenses and increasing the temporary flat rate from $400 to $500 annually. In 2020, the government set out a temporary flat-rate […]