With wildfires raging across the country over the past weeks, employers can support affected employees by offering easily accessible tools and resources, flexible work schedules and extended wellness benefits, says Alex Boucher, principal consultant and total health management leader at Mercer Canada. Whether they’ve been removed from their homes or are worrying about smoke inhalation, employees are […]
The growth of gene and cell therapies are raising significant questions among private payers about who bears the responsibility for the costs of these treatments, says Tim Clarke, president at TC Health Consulting Inc. “One issue is whether this is going to be paid for by public health or if it’s an employer health issue. […]
Victoria, B.C.-based technology company Redbrick is supporting its remote employees through individualized benefits offerings and unique virtual events. “For us, remote work continues to be part of a conscious effort to do what’s best for our employees,” says Christine Tatham, vice-president of people and culture at Redbrick. “We consider remote work in every decision we make. […]
Accenture Canada is reinforcing its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion during Pride Month and beyond by offering leadership training and mentorship opportunities for all of its LGBTQ2S+ employees and allies. “We not only foster innovation and growth within these spaces, but ensure everyone knows this is a workplace of inclusion and equality,” says Caroline Gayle, […]
The union representing more than 250 employees at Woodbridge Foam Corp. in Woodbridge, Ont. has ratified a three-year agreement that includes pension and benefits gains. The agreement includes the introduction of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology’s DBplus pension plan at a two per cent employer match. It also increases annual vision coverage from […]
After leading the way in supporting transgender employees, Accenture is continuing to expand its diversity, equity and inclusion offerings to meet workers’ evolving needs. In 2011, the professional services company was one of the first employers in Canada to support transgender employees through its benefits offerings. “At the time of [the benefit’s] inception, Accenture worked […]
The crown corporation’s senior director of workplace health, safety and wellness discusses leaning into prevention, mental-health leadership training and reconnecting with nature. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: One of the things I think is so special about the world of well-being is how agile and adaptive we […]
An increase in the protection limit for defined benefit pension plan members’ assets invested in annuities is making it easier for plan sponsors to de-risk, says Mary Kate Archibald, a principal at Eckler Ltd. Assuris, the not-for-profit organization that protects a portion of retirement benefits from annuities in the event of an insurer’s insolvency, now covers up to $5,000 […]
The University of Toronto is supporting employee well-being with enhanced gender affirmation coverage. Heather Boon, acting vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture at U of T, says the coverage was negotiated in several of its recent collective agreements and is also available to non-union employees. “Gender affirmation coverage is being provided to help support […]
PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada is continuing to foster an inclusive work environment and sense of belonging with the addition of three new employee resource groups. The new ERGs, which the company refers to as inclusion networks, are the Muslim Inclusion Network, Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion Network and the Jewish Inclusion Network. “These groups were created […]