flexible benefits – Benefits Canada.com

Employers enhancing mental-health benefits over next three years, finds survey

bwolfe — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:00:35 +0000

Over the next three years, 67 per cent of plan sponsors said they anticipate investing money and/or staff resources in wellness areas outside of their health benefits plan, with 51 per cent focusing on investments in emotional or mental health, according to the 2021 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. It found 14 per cent of plan sponsors […]

The post Employers enhancing mental-health benefits over next three years, finds survey appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Tips for offering wellness days that work for all employees

lbailey — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:51:31 +0000

Telus Communications Inc. recognizes that all employees manage their health and well-being in different ways, so it allows staff to choose how they use the company’s flexible wellness offering — they can take time off to enjoy a staycation, pay down student loans or top up their health-care spending accounts. “We provide [employees] with credits […]

The post Tips for offering wellness days that work for all employees appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Head to head: Should employers allow staff to carry over their annual paramedical coverage?

ANNA CAMPION — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 04:59:29 +0000

With many employees pausing paramedical care during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, two benefits experts weigh in on letting workers carry coverage over to 2021. Kevin Mcfadden, president of Mcfadden Benefits In the 30 years I’ve been advising employers in the benefits marketplace, the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our industry unlike any other event. Many positives […]

The post Head to head: Should employers allow staff to carry over their annual paramedical coverage? appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

To achieve DEI goals, plan sponsors can start by reviewing benefits plans

mschmit — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:00:25 +0000

After a turbulent 2020 brought with it the coronavirus pandemic and a global call for social justice, companies prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in its wake should start by reviewing their benefits plans to ensure there’s enough flexibility to meet the needs of these times and inclusivity for employees from all backgrounds, says Kim Siddall, […]

The post To achieve DEI goals, plan sponsors can start by reviewing benefits plans appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Family status discrimination issues remain ‘minefield’ for employers

mschmit — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:00:14 +0000

Confusion as to what constitutes family status discrimination in Canada continues to vex employers. “The Supreme Court of Canada had an opportunity to create a uniform test across the country in 2019 but chose not to hear the case,” says Gary Clarke, the Calgary and Vancouver-based national co-head of Stikeman Elliott LLP’s employment and labour group. […]

The post Family status discrimination issues remain ‘minefield’ for employers appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

An employer’s guide to curating a suite of voluntary benefits

mschmit — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 04:45:45 +0000

In an art gallery, people often recognize and appreciate the arrangement of the pieces as much as the works of art themselves. When employers offer voluntary benefits, they’re hoping that employees appreciate the offering. Above and beyond that, if plan members recognize the program as a customized suite of benefits that supports their unique needs, even better. Another conclusion […]

The post An employer’s guide to curating a suite of voluntary benefits appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

A look at consumer-grade benefits plan technology, communications

mschmit — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 04:55:42 +0000

Today’s consumer culture includes shopping online, booking vacations on smartphones and receiving recommendations for the next must-watch movie or television show based on most recent views. So it’s no surprise employees are starting to expect the same level of technology in their benefits plans and communications. “Today’s technologies — as well as consumer expectations — […]

The post A look at consumer-grade benefits plan technology, communications appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Scotiabank to allow Canadian staff to buy more personal days

mschmit — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:00:53 +0000

Scotiabank is introducing a program that will allow benefits-eligible Canadian employees to purchase up to five additional personal days. The program is effective April 1, 2021, which marks the beginning of the bank’s benefits plan year. Employees can use their flex credits during benefits enrolment to purchase the additional days. The latest benefit is in addition to […]

The post Scotiabank to allow Canadian staff to buy more personal days appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Plan Sponsor Week: How WSP Canada turned benefits wish list into reality

mschmit — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 04:35:42 +0000

Before its benefits redesign, WSP Canada Inc. had a simple but effective idea: when you hear a good idea, write it down. “On an ongoing basis, we have an enhancement wish list that we maintain,” said Chantelle Tadman, benefits and wellness lead at the professional services firm, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2020 Plan Sponsor […]

The post Plan Sponsor Week: How WSP Canada turned benefits wish list into reality appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Is it time for employers to take a look at voluntary benefits?

mschmit — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:45:30 +0000

Voluntary benefits are the ‘choose your own adventure’ of the insurance world. For readers who remember and enjoyed those novels, they felt empowered by their inclusion in how the story played out. The same principle applies when selecting personal benefits. Voluntary benefits allow an individual employee to secure additional coverage or preferred pricing outside of any […]

The post Is it time for employers to take a look at voluntary benefits? appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.