Plan sponsors in the U.S. that suspended or reduced employer-matching contributions are reinstating them or increasing their levels by 2021, said a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. According to the survey, 60 per cent of plan sponsors said they intend to match their members’ contributions at the same level as they were prior to their suspension or […]
Employee benefits and total rewards planning have always been a critical element of business planning, but never more so than during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Mercer Canada conducted a recent client poll which showed that unlike previous years, most Canadian organizations still had not set their salary adjustment budget for 2021 as of early November. While […]
Gender diversity is increasing on the boards of Canada’s 100 largest publicly-traded companies, according to a new report by KPMG Canada. It found women comprised 34 per cent of new board appointments since 2014. These women were slightly younger than their male counterparts, more educated, far more likely to come from outside the organization and […]
The federal government is introducing new pay transparency regulations for federally regulated, private sector employers with 100 or more employees. The legislative amendment to the Equity Act, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021, aims to help address equality and inclusion issues in the workplace. With the move, Canada will be the first country to make wage […]
A group of Canadian pension plan investment managers is calling on companies to standardize their environmental, social and governance disclosure to help them in their investment decision-making and better assess and manage their risks. Together, the eight fund managers oversee a total of about $1.6 trillion in assets and are committing to strengthening ESG disclosure within […]
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are more of a priority for younger employees, according to a new study commissioned by ADP Canada Co. The survey found respondents aged 18 to 34, as well as those from a visible ethnic community, were the most vocal when it came to issues of diversity and inclusion in […]
As more companies integrate diversity, equality and inclusion strategies into their workplaces, listening and leadership are among the keys to a successful program, according to a webinar hosted by Mercer Canada on Thursday. The company held a series of special listening sessions for staff following the deaths of Black civilians during police encounters in the […]
Demand for defined benefit pension plan sponsors to focus on environmental, social and governance factors through their investments is growing. Both plan sponsors and members have been increasingly vocal about keeping ESG issues top of mind. For example, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan has worked on balancing this increased appetite for ethical investing with an overall […]
Scotiabank is aiming to increase the representation of visible minorities in senior management roles by 30 per cent or more over the next five years, as part of renewed efforts to diversify its employee population. The step is one of several the bank is taking to address diversity and inclusion in its workforce in the wake […]
Manulife Financial Corp. is increasing its family leave support for Canadian employees, providing 20 weeks of paid maternity leave and 12 weeks of paid parental and adoption leave, effective Jan. 1, 2021. Canadian employees and their dependants also now have access to full gender affirmation coverage for both surgical and non-surgical treatments, as well as […]