For many people, the holidays are a time filled with family and friends, comforting food, dazzling decorations and all the fixings that instil a spirit of seasonal goodwill. But amid all the presumptive festivities, we don’t typically acknowledge the inherent stress that accompanies the yuletide. Financial expenses build up, end-of-year deadlines loom and even family […]
With 44 per cent of Canadian workers experiencing mental-health issues and mental health the fastest growing and leading cause of disability claims, benefits plans are feeling the strain. “The numbers are staggering in terms of what we’re seeing and the continual growth of this as an issue,” said Rebecca Smith, director of group life and […]
EY Canada is increasing its mental-health benefits for all employees and their dependents from $900 to $5,000 a year. “EY wouldn’t exist, let alone thrive, without our people,” says Stephen Shea, EY Canada managing partner, talent. “We believe it’s our responsibility to support them and help them live their best professional and personal lives. That means […]
Cigna Corp. is collaborating with Happify Health and Prevail Health to offer employers access to the technology companies’ online mental-wellness platforms. In January 2019, the platforms will be available to employers as part of Cigna’s total behavioural health program. “We are continuing to expand and evolve our behavioural health solutions to support the wide and […]
These days, peace of mind is hard to come by, but the employers at the 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards roundtable centred their discussion around the many ways they can positively contribute towards their workforces’ mental, physical and financial health, particularly when it comes to absenteeism and improving return-to-work processes. “We know that if people are […]
By the end of 2018, Canadians are expected to leave more than 40 million vacation days on the table, according to new research by Expedia Group. While Canadians have an average of 17 vacation days to use per year, they manage to only take 15, on average. When they do use their vacation days, 55 per cent […]
Take the free money. This is my regular mantra for employees in employer-sponsored retirement plans. But many employees don’t enrol in company-sponsored plans or don’t take the maximum amount of free money available. When human resources professionals ask their employees why, their responses include: “I get a better return with my advisor, so I am contributing with her/him.” “The investment […]
Medavie Blue Cross and Medaca Health Group are introducing a virtual cognitive behavioural therapy pilot project to provide plan members easier access to mental-health care. Through a computer, smartphone or tablet, plan members diagnosed with anxiety or depression can log into the service’s digital platform to communicate with their therapist via video. The treatment will […]
Depression and alcoholism are the leading mental health and substance abuse conditions covered by employers, according to a report by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The survey, which polled nearly 300 Canadian and American organizations, found 84 per cent of employers cover depression and 82 per cent cover alcohol addiction. Anxiety disorders (78 per cent), […]
More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Canadians would choose a new job with a group savings plan instead of staying at a current job without one, according to a new survey by Nest Wealth Asset Management Inc. The survey also found money is the leading stressor (42 per cent) for Canadian workers, cited ahead of work (23 […]