Blake Wolfe

How employers are using data to integrate DEI into their benefits plans

Like other large employers, Ontario Power Generation Inc. has a diverse workforce that embodies the broader Canadian population across multiple demographics. The Crown corporation uses a variety of methods and measurements for gathering diversity, equity and inclusion data, including engagement surveys and focus groups to establish mental-health indicators by analyzing benefits usage, says Tanya Hickey, […]

  • June 23, 2023 June 21, 2023
  • 08:57

Telus’ 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards win reinforcing approach to employee wellness

Telus Communications Inc.’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards win is encouraging the company to stay the course when enhancing employee well-being benefits. “We’re not doing it necessarily just for the recognition — that’s kind of an added bonus,” says Janet Young, director of well-being and health services for people and culture at Telus. “It’s more just […]

  • June 21, 2023 June 21, 2023
  • 09:00

How employers can support LGBTQ2S+ employees’ mental well-being amid challenging times

For LGBTQ2S+ employees and allies, the current news stream is particularly bleak. In recent months, at least 20 U.S. states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. In both Canada and the U.S., LGBTQ2S+ events, such as drag queen story hours at public libraries, are increasingly subject to protest both […]

  • June 19, 2023 June 16, 2023
  • 09:00

Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards wins supporting engagement, recruitment

The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan is reporting increased employee engagement following a pair of wins in Benefits Canada’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards. The ASEBP’s extensive mental-health strategy led to a win in the Mental health program category for an employer with fewer than 1,000 employees. In 2021, the organization launched a campaign called It Takes a […]

  • June 9, 2023 June 9, 2023
  • 09:00

Amex Canada supporting employee well-being with onsite counselling, enhanced mental-health resources

American Express Canada is supporting employee well-being with onsite counselling and enhanced mental-health resources. Employees can register for free in-office counselling sessions with a registered psychotherapist or virtual sessions with licensed counsellors. The company also upgraded its digital mental-health resources, including access to meditation and breathing exercises via a wellness app. Annette Kingsley, Amex Canada’s […]

  • May 23, 2023 May 23, 2023
  • 09:00

2023 DC Plan Summit: AI insights on financial wellness

Financial stress is impacting Canadians’ mental and physical health, as well as decisions related to their pension plans, said Matt Davison, Western University’s dean of science and principal researcher, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2023 DC Plan Summit. In an analysis of the National Payroll Institute’s annual survey, Western’s financial wellness lab found respondents’ financial perspectives […]

  • May 12, 2023 May 5, 2023
  • 08:49

2023 DC Plan Summit: A look at McGill University’s search for a comprehensive decumulation solution

While McGill University has factored decumulation into its pension plan for decades, the plan sponsor is continually fine tuning these strategies for members, said John D’Agata, the university’s director of pension and benefits, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2023 DC Plan Summit. McGill’s pension plan has more than $1.5 billion in assets and more than 9,500 […]

  • May 12, 2023 May 5, 2023
  • 08:48

2023 DC Plan Summit: Demystifying what ESG means for DC pension plans

While there’s a lot of noise and confusion around environmental, social and governance factors, it comes down to delivering value for investors in terms of better risk-adjusted returns, said Aaron White, CIBC Asset Management Inc.’s vice-president of sustainable investments, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2023 DC Plan Summit. Part of the confusion around the topic, he […]

  • May 12, 2023 May 5, 2023
  • 08:47

2023 DC Plan Summit: Exploring secular trends and the impacts on retirement outcomes

Factors such as population demographics, productivity and geopolitics impact economic growth and, by extension, the retirement outcomes of defined contribution pension plan members over longer-term time horizons, said Jon Knowles, senior investment analyst at Fidelity Canada Institutional, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2023 DC Plan Summit. Ageing populations have traditionally been viewed as a dis-inflationary force due […]

  • May 12, 2023 May 5, 2023
  • 08:46

2023 DC Plan Summit: How PepsiCo Canada is making its savings plan more flexible

PepsiCo Canada’s enhanced defined contribution pension plan is supporting the retirement goals of a very diverse employee population. The company, which employs roughly 11,000 people across its food and beverage divisions, has a wide range of roles, from drivers and warehouse workers to sales employees. While the organization offers multiple pension plans, the majority of […]

  • May 12, 2023 May 5, 2023
  • 08:45