While Canadian employers understand the importance of workplace wellness, many are struggling to create comprehensive programs to actually improve employee health—and their bottom lines. That’s the finding of the 2011 Buffett National Wellness Survey, released Oct. 25 at the launch of Sun Life Financial’s 2011 series of Wellness Institute Breakfasts in Toronto. The good news […]
With roller coaster unemployment levels and an uncertain economy, attracting and retaining talent should be easy, right? Yes, and no, says Towers Watson. While many Canadian companies are finding it relatively painless to attract and retain staff, they’re also finding it difficult to attract the ones they want the most: critical-skill employees. According to the […]
Baby boomers who fail to implement a long-term financial plan early in their retirement years are at risk of having their government benefits and credits clawed back, warns the BMO Retirement Institute. The institute’s report, Mind Your Taxes in Retirement, shows that many boomers aren’t savvy enough when it comes to understanding how they are […]
The economy may be uncertain, but it looks like Canadian workers can still expect their salaries to increase—albeit, at a modest rate. Salaries are predicted to rise by an average of 3.1% in 2012, the Conference Board of Canada announced at its Compensation Outlook conference, held in Toronto on Oct. 25. “Canadian organizations remain optimistic, […]
Watch this video The introduction of biologics to benefits plans is a double-edged sword: while biologics can significantly increase health outcomes for employees, they can also significantly increase costs for plan sponsors. But understanding how biologics affect your plan—and determining whether they help or hinder you—is about more than just basic costs. Plan sponsors can’t […]
Watch this video Should you invest in emerging markets and, if yes, should you take an active or passive approach? For Paul Kapsos, portfolio manager for emerging markets with the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (Teachers’), the answer as to whether to invest is a definite ‘yes.’ He points to the success emerging markets have shown […]
Canadians’ confidence in the economy has fallen to its lowest in two years, according to the results of the latest Nanos Research poll. The percentage of Canadians who feel the economy will improve within the next six months fell to 16% from 29.2% in June 2011, while the number of Canadians who feel the economy […]
A trip to Paris. Pet insurance. Unlimited time off. Canada’s Top 100 Employers have been named for 2012, and they show that offering non-traditional benefits can have a positive impact on recruiting, engaging and retaining employees. The annual ranking, now in its 13th year, attempts to determine which employers are leaders in their industries when […]
Time and tools are the key factors in an effective benefits education program, according to research from Unum, a benefits services provider for the U.S. and the U.K. The firm’s study of more than 1,700 employed adults points to a “three-plus-three communication strategy,” in which members have at least three weeks to review at least […]
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting approximately three million Canadians. And while it’s commonly believed that arthritis is a disease of the elderly, 58% of arthritis patients are under the age of 65—which means, they’re still in the workforce. If you have employees with OA, you likely know that their workplace […]