Sadie Janes

How employers can support employees’ mental health during the holidays

Employers can take a proactive role in supporting employee mental health during the holidays through early intervention, communication and making wellness resources easily accessible, says Lindsey Gage-Cole, senior vice-president of client and member operations at GroupHealth Benefit Solutions. “For employees, the holidays can mean increased workloads, balancing holiday planning with work obligations and the pressure […]

  • December 20, 2024 December 19, 2024
  • 09:00

Eliminating sick notes could remove administrative burden, improve workplace trust: expert

Eliminating sick notes for Canadian employees would help remove the administrative burden for both employers and medical professionals, while also improving workplace trust, says Olivia Cicchini, human resources and employment law expert at Peninsula Canada. The Canadian Medical Association is calling for the elimination of sick notes for short-term minor illnesses across the country, which could […]

  • December 18, 2024 December 16, 2024
  • 09:00

Feds’ decision to transfer $1.9BN public pension surplus to general revenue within its purview: expert

The federal government’s recent decision to transfer a $1.9 billion surplus from the Public Service Pension Plan to its general revenue is within its purview, says Mitch Frazer, a pension lawyer and managing partner at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo. “[This situation is] slightly different because this plan is made by a statute and, […]

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

How to streamline benefits plans during a merger or acquisition

When a company is undergoing a merger or acquisition, it’s important to maintain consistency regarding benefits plans and streamline the process as much as possible. “It’s crucial to allocate the proper resources to make sure the process goes smoothly and benefits coverage is maintained or improved upon,” says Connie Cooper, associate vice-president of executive financial […]

  • December 13, 2024 December 12, 2024
  • 08:54

Joey Restaurants promoting skills, career development through internal education program

Joey Restaurant Group is using an internal educational program to teach employees the soft skills of leadership and assist in their career development. By focusing on two specialized streams — hospitality and culinary arts, and leadership and business management — the company has been able to identify talent at early stages and offer tailored, accelerated courses […]

  • November 28, 2024 November 27, 2024
  • 09:00

2024 HOC: How collaboration is replacing competition in wellness programs

Collaboration is the new competition when it comes to wellness, according to Lisa Bélanger, behavioural change expert and researcher, during the keynote session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Healthy Outcomes Conference. People have an innate desire to belong and connecting with others is fundamental to the human experience, she added. “[Only] about five to 10 per […]

  • November 26, 2024 November 13, 2024
  • 07:59

2024 HOC: Panel: Optimizing well-being benefits to deliver equitable coverage for employees

PepsiCo Canada aims to ensure all employees have equitable coverage and access to resources by offering a competitive and flexible benefits program, as well as inclusive policies, said Jaye Calder (pictured left), the company’s manager of pension, benefits and wellness, during a panel discussion at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Healthy Outcomes Conference. “We’re taking it a […]

  • November 26, 2024 November 12, 2024
  • 07:51

How Meridian’s financial wellness offerings benefit employees, organization as a whole

As a financial institution that provides banking and wealth management services to customers, Meridian Credit Union ensures it also offers employees a comprehensive suite of services to support their financial wellness. This includes a defined contribution pension in which staff contribute a mandatory three per cent of annual earnings, with the employer contributing between three […]

  • November 15, 2024 November 13, 2024
  • 08:58

How Mexico’s reformed pension system is improving workers’ retirement security

Earlier this year, Mexico’s senate approved the creation of a new pension fund to help provide more retirement security for low-income citizens. The reform aims to ensure pensioners receive 100 per cent of their last monthly salary up to roughly 16,777 Mexican pesos (US$975), which is the average monthly wage for workers affiliated with the […]

  • November 15, 2024 November 13, 2024
  • 08:54

HOOPP’s focus on cross-collaboration in mental health leads to award win

The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan’s extensive benefits coverage and focus on cross-collaboration landed the company a win in the Mental Health Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. The HOOPP’s mental-health strategy is designed to drive a program that educates and empowers employees and their […]

  • November 6, 2024 November 6, 2024
  • 09:00