Ericsson is adding sleep and nutrition features to its online wellness program to educate employees and motivate changes in behaviour. Its E-Health program, which began in April 2016, is rolling out the new options to coincide with its two-year anniversary. Since its introduction, more than 60 per cent of Canadian and American employees have participated, according […]
With studies suggesting some gaps in financial literacy among millennials, a panel at the 2018 Benefits and Pension Summit will tackle ways of educating and reaching younger plan members. Shannon Lee Simmons, founder of the New School of Finance and a member of the panel at the April 17 event at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto, says a lot of […]
The dispute over pension rights at Carleton University heated up this week as the Canadian Union of Public Employees called on the Financial Services Commission of Ontario to investigate a controversial amendment to the pension plan that dates back 15 years. The amendment, which permitted the elimination of a benefit guarantee feature for all service after July 1, […]
Ontario has published a description of its proposed regulations around the payment of variable benefits from defined contribution pension plans one year after announcing its intention to permit the option. The provincial government announced its plans in its 2017 budget. Once passed, Ontario will follow in the footsteps of other jurisdictions allowing the option, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, […]
Multinational telecommunications company Ericsson is adding a peer-to-peer functionality to its recognition program for employees across Canada and the United States. Previously, the program was only open to managers, who could submit employee recognition in the form of cash awards paid out through employee’s paycheques or points they could redeem through an online marketplace. In June 2017, the company offered […]
To celebrate International World Happiness Day on March 20, Klick Health hosted a number of activities for employees at its Toronto office, including canine visitors from the humane society, a catered lunch and bouncy castles. “Basically, a heightened bit of happiness. We want people to get involved and be engaged with the company,” said David Holmes, the company’s […]
According to estimates from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, benefits fraud results in the loss of two to 10 per cent of health-care dollars. In terms of preventative measures, Sun Life Financial estimates it saves plan sponsors about $20 million a year, while Great-West Life Assurance Co. suggests its strategies resulted in savings of […]
Over the past 25 years, Canada’s retirement system has evolved significantly through new funding frameworks and federal and provincial reforms to facilitate innovation in plan design. And with Canadians living and working longer and investment returns predicted to soften, it’s no surprise the pension industry is calling for an update to the Income Tax Act […]
The majority (86 per cent) of Canadian women have at least one challenge when it comes to finances and investment, according to a new survey by the Financial Planning Standards Council. Published to coincide with International Women’s Day, the survey found 38 per cent of respondents admit they know very little about finance and investment. And […]
Ernst & Young has introduced an online retirement modelling tool to help employees prepare for life after work. Since its launch at the end of January, 25 per cent of the firm’s employees have logged in to register and use the tool, with about 55 per cent of that group under the age of 40. “I was pleasantly surprised. It’s […]