Blake Wolfe

How employers can use workplace policies, communication to ensure safe holiday celebrations

Employers can ensure employees remain safe during holiday celebrations through a combination of communication and robust human resources policies. “I think most companies are at a point now where they do set expectations about what is appropriate and acceptable behaviour,” said Jessica Culo, president of Specialized Recruiting Group (an Edmonton-based affiliate of Express Services Inc.), […]

  • December 17, 2024 December 16, 2024
  • 09:00

How Hydro Ottawa’s pre-retiree engagement strategy is supporting financial wellness, retirement readiness

When Hydro Ottawa was preparing for its first wave of retiring baby boomers in 2011, it began working on a strategy to mitigate the subsequent impact on the workforce and organizational memory. “Part of the strategy was to think about how we could manage both the number of retirements, but also the amount of knowledge […]

  • December 13, 2024 December 12, 2024
  • 08:57

How employers can support employee financial wellness during the holidays

With the return of the holiday shopping season, employees may be tempted to spend more than they planned, despite the rising cost in living. According to a recent survey by Deloitte Canada, Canadians plan to spend, on average, $1,478 for the holidays this year, up 10 per cent — or $131 — from 2023 but […]

  • December 5, 2024 December 4, 2024
  • 09:00

UAP supporting financial wellness with retirement toolkit

UAP Inc. is supporting employees’ financial wellness and retirement readiness with a new retirement toolkit. The toolkit, which launched this week, explains the company’s retirement savings plans and additional post-employment income sources such as Canada and Quebec Pension Plan benefits, as well as information on adjusting to life in retirement. It also includes resources for […]

  • November 29, 2024 November 28, 2024
  • 09:00

2024 Top 40 Money Managers Report: To divest or engage?

With 15 different client organizations, including nine public sector pension plans, the Alberta Investment Management Corp. has opted to engage, rather than divest, from certain investments, particularly those in the energy sector. “One of the things we were very clear on, both for ourselves and in talking to clients, is that divestment wasn’t the way […]

  • November 15, 2024 November 22, 2024
  • 08:57

Q&A with Hoffmann-La Roche’s Rana Kassab

The pharmaceutical company’s director of benefits and recognition discusses the needs of a multigenerational workforce, the role of diversity, equity and inclusion in benefits plans and exploring the world one dish at a time. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: By striving to understand the changing needs of our diverse, […]

  • November 15, 2024 November 13, 2024
  • 08:53

Amazon supporting Canadian veterans through ERG, employee programs

Amazon Canada is supporting Canadian veterans through a dedicated employee resource group as well as paid leave and various veteran-specific programs. The Warriors at Amazon group includes thousands of employees and offers professional development and advocacy support for veterans and military spouses across the company’s workforce. The group is also leading the company’s Remembrance Day […]

  • November 11, 2024 November 8, 2024
  • 09:00

2024 DC Investment Forum: Young Canadians’ retirement savings at mercy of housing market, government inaction

Young Canadian employees are facing a series of headwinds stemming from rising housing costs and decades of inaction by the federal government to support retirement savings, said Paul Kershaw, founder of not-for-profit organization Generation Squeeze and a policy professor at the University of British Columbia, during the keynote session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Defined Contribution […]

  • November 6, 2024 October 30, 2024
  • 07:59

2024 DC Investment Forum: Panel: How employers are supporting plan members’ investment decisions amid rising cost of living

The rising cost of living in the post-pandemic era has impacted all aspects of employees’ financial wellness, including retirement savings. In 2023, Hofmann-La Roche Ltd. examined the savings needs of its multigenerational workforce and determined more flexibility was required to encourage employees to set aside retirement savings, said Rana Kassab (pictured right), the company’s director […]

  • November 6, 2024 November 22, 2024
  • 07:51

Samsung’s multi-faceted well-being strategy leads to award win

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s multi-faceted approach to employee well-being took home the top prize in the Health/Wellness Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “I’m actually really surprised [by the award win]!” says Merlyn Sequeira, senior director of total rewards at Samsung. “It’s […]

  • November 1, 2024 October 23, 2024
  • 09:00