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University Pension Plan integrating DEI into investment strategy

The University Pension Plan is integrating diversity, equity and inclusion measures into its investment strategy. The pension plan sponsor’s responsible investing policy considers environmental, social and governance factors — including DEI — as essential to sound long-term investing, said Aaron Bennett, chief investment officer at the UPP, in an emailed statement to Benefits Canada. The approach […]

  • February 14, 2022 February 14, 2022
  • 09:00

How Accenture, Traction on Demand are supporting working parents in 2022

A new year is bringing back old issues for employers and employees alike. The rise of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant meant many students once again switched to online schooling. And while some schools across Canada are now reopening, employers continue to use a combination of flexible schedules and benefits offerings to support working […]

  • January 13, 2022 January 13, 2022
  • 09:00

How employers can help parents, students amid return to remote learning

With the Omicron coronavirus variant prompting school closures and a return to remote learning in several provinces, flexibility is key for employers supporting parents of school-age children, says Kim Siddall, vice-president of enterprise consulting for the west at People Corporation. “This means being flexible with the changing environment, because things are shifting without a lot […]

  • January 6, 2022 January 6, 2022
  • 09:00

Q&A with Hootsuite’s Paul Dhillon

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 […]

  • December 17, 2021 December 16, 2021
  • 08:49

KPMG supporting workplace diversity, inclusivity with gender affirmation policy

KPMG in Canada is supporting its transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse employees with a new gender affirmation policy. Stephanie Braid, director of inclusion, diversity and equity at KPMG in Canada, says the policy provides employees who are in the process of affirming their gender with a complete support plan, including how to announce a name change […]

  • December 7, 2021 December 6, 2021
  • 09:00

B.C. municipality supporting employee fitness with new wellness program

Employees of the municipal government of East Kootenay, B.C., are staying active during their workday through a new physical wellness program. The program, run by fitness organization ParticipACTION, allows employers to create teams of employees to take part in daily self-managed fitness routines and a series of Canada-wide challenges throughout the year, the latter of […]

  • November 25, 2021 November 25, 2021
  • 09:00

Unifor, Chartwell continuing contract negotiations over sick days, bereavement leave

Contract negotiations are continuing between Chartwell Master Care and the union representing employees at an Ottawa-area retirement home, after the employer proposed cuts to paid sick days and changes to bereavement leave. The proposed cuts at Chartwell Stonehaven include a reduced annual cap on sick days — from 12 to six — for full-time employees, […]

  • July 14, 2021 July 13, 2021
  • 09:00

Pride Month: Institutional investors focusing on inclusivity, social factors

By encouraging employees to be their authentic selves at work, pension plans can make better investment decisions, says Adrian Mitchell, vice-president of public equities at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. “I think having some out LGBTQ people around demonstrates to everyone else it’s safe to be who you are. We’re going to make better […]

  • June 25, 2021 June 25, 2021
  • 09:00

Employers should weigh human rights, health risks when drafting pandemic policies

Employers are facing a growing number of legal considerations as they continually adapt policies amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent webinar hosted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie. In Ontario, there’s been a substantial increase in workplace inspections through that province’s occupational health and safety act, said Ted Kovacs, a partner at […]

  • April 1, 2021 April 1, 2021
  • 09:00

Biden will bring market stability as sun sets on Trump era: investors

With President-elect Joe Biden officially becoming the 46th U.S. president today, institutional investors are preparing for a return to traditional governance and increased market stability. While markets don’t often respond favourably to a change in administration, the return to “normality and transparency” in Biden’s policy and governing style will act as a counterbalance, says Matthew […]

  • January 20, 2021 April 14, 2021
  • 09:00