Software company Cisco Systems Inc. is introducing three paid days off as a benefit for new grandparents for all of its employees around the world. The benefit, which the company initially rolled out six months ago for its U.S. employees, came to Canada in March and will continue to expand to other countries. “By the end of the year […]
What’s the future of health benefits in Canada? A hybrid model of core coverage and personalized benefits is a likely scenario, speakers at an event in Toronto said on Wednesday. “Our vision is really a hybrid model, where you have this traditional benefit program there to support your employee should something happen, something unpredictable that […]
Toronto-based health company Medcan is introducing a health benefits program that includes telemedicine, pharmacogenetics and online health modules. More than 100 plan sponsors are currently using the program, which will continue to be rolled out to employers throughout 2018, according to the company’s president, Ashim Khemani. He notes it’s open to all employees, even though Medcan […]
Earlier this month, the Pension Investment Association of Canada came out in support of Ontario’s proposed regulations for variable benefits from defined contribution pension plans. The support came with a caveat, however. “PIAC supports the proposal that the provision of variable benefits from DC plans is voluntary for employers,” Brenda King, chair of the association, […]
Harnessing the power of good deeds to produce positive mental health among employees, Convergint Technologies is rolling out a pay-it-forward incentive program in May. “Every May, we are dedicated to doing some sort of awareness incentive,” says Cheryl Mihaljevich, human resources advisor at the security system supplier’s Calgary office. “We try to make it fun, we try to […]
While she has 20 years of experience in the industry, Sheila Phillips is aware of how difficult it is to know everything in the benefits field. With that in mind, Phillips, a senior account manager at the Great-West Life Assurance Co., kicked off the benefits and pensions fundamentals program held by the Toronto chapter of […]
Who wouldn’t want a coach to help with achieving health goals? According to the 2017 Sanofi Canada health-care survey, health coaching is a popular idea: 61 per cent of plan members expressed interest in coaching around personal health goals. But is health coaching a worthy investment for employers to include as a benefit for their […]
Is it right to take a sick day to visit the doctor for preventative care such as physical exams, teeth cleaning and health screenings? Doing just that is the idea behind the Unsick Day program. Started by a group of U.S. organizations, including New York-based digital health company Zocdoc Inc., the program provides time off […]
A prescription drug cap is among the issues in a strike by United Steelworkers union members in western Labrador. The union members work for the Iron Ore Co. of Canada, a joint venture involving Rio Tinto, which holds 58.7 per cent, Mitsubishi Corp. and the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Corp. According to the CBC, the […]
Employees at Corus Entertainment Inc. have a certain fondness for dogs. After a successful pilot in February and a popular followup session in March, Corus is bringing back its popular dog day to its downtown Toronto office on May 18 as part of the company’s mental-health month activities. According to Cheryl Fullerton, executive vice-president of […]