Blake Wolfe

While three-quarters (74 per cent) of global employers say the purpose of their internal communications strategy is to shape workplace culture and create a sense of belonging, only 56 per cent believe their employees understand their organization’s strategy, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The survey, which polled more than […]

  • March 22, 2023 March 22, 2023
  • 09:00

British Columbia is introducing pay transparency legislation to help close the province’s gender pay gap. Once the legislation is passed on Nov. 1, 2023, all B.C. employers will be required to include wage or salary ranges on all publicly advertised jobs. Employers will also be required to publicly post reports on their gender pay gap, […]

  • March 17, 2023 March 16, 2023
  • 09:00

As the coronavirus pandemic enters its fourth year, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the health crisis has taken its toll on employee mental health. Scotiabank saw a notable rise in claims for mental-health drugs in 2022, says Ayman Alvi, the bank’s vice-president of global pension and benefits, noting the increased use of these medications aligns with […]

  • March 17, 2023 March 22, 2023
  • 08:56

As ‘quiet hiring’ becomes more prominent amid a challenging labour market, communication and incentivization are key considerations for employers, says Janet Candido, founder and principal of human resources consultancy Candido Consulting Group. “It can be a great growth opportunity for an employee, whether it’s presented as a stretch assignment or just an upscaling opportunity. You […]

  • March 14, 2023 March 13, 2023
  • 09:00

While employee benefits are an important part of supporting mental health, these programs must be supported by a workplace culture that encourages mental well-being, said Joe Ricciuti, co-founder and chair of Mental Health International during a webinar hosted by MHI and the Ontario Brain Institute. “Obviously, they go hand in hand, but if you think […]

  • March 3, 2023 March 2, 2023
  • 09:00

Changes to Ontario’s policy on the use of biosimilars in its public drug plan could result in savings for private benefits plans if they choose to follow the provincial model, says Theresa Tran, a principal in group benefits at Eckler Ltd. Starting March 31, Ontario Drug Benefit recipients who are on an originator biologic will […]

  • February 16, 2023 February 15, 2023
  • 09:00

Amid the shift to remote and hybrid working arrangements, employers should ensure their after-hours social events are “easy, intentional and sincere,” says Kim Siddall, vice-president of enterprise consulting in the west at People Corporation. “The [coronavirus] pandemic gave employees permission to start opting out of aspects of [workplace] culture they didn’t really like. They’ve also […]

  • February 15, 2023 February 14, 2023
  • 09:00

Amid the unprecedented events of the last three years, the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan has remained on course with its investment strategies, according to Asif Haque, the plan’s chief investment officer. “We held our focus on the key goal of the CAAT’s investment program. . . . The plan’s diversified asset […]

  • February 10, 2023 February 9, 2023
  • 08:55

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is promoting retirement planning with its inaugural Pension Awareness Day on Feb. 16. Through the event, the FSRA is aiming to spark conversations about retirement savings and inspire employees to take full advantage of employer-sponsored pension plans, says Caroline Blouin, executive vice-president of pensions at the FSRA, noting […]

  • February 6, 2023 February 3, 2023
  • 09:00

A third (35 per cent) of employees say every workday feels the same, similar to the 1993 film Groundhog Day, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled more than 300 professionals via LinkedIn, also found, while 51 per cent said their workdays are balanced between repetition and variation […]

  • February 2, 2023 February 1, 2023
  • 09:00