September 1, 2024
Many North American workers are feeling overwhelmed and stressed about retirement, with some saying they won’t be ready to retire and others admitting they haven’t saved anything in the past […]
September 1, 2024
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) used to focus mostly on mental health support at work. Today, they’re doing a lot more. Leaders in human resources recognize that […]
August 1, 2024
Offering a comprehensive benefits package shows your company is dedicated to your team. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they feel more satisfied in their roles, […]
August 1, 2024
As the cost of living continues to rise, there’s widespread concern among Canadians regarding retirement savings. Nearly half of Canadian employees haven’t set aside any money […]
July 1, 2024
More Canadians are recognizing the importance of prioritizing their mental health. Despite this growing awareness, many workers still face barriers to accessing essential mental health services […]
July 1, 2024
The cost of living in Canada has soared over the past few years. Consumers face rising prices at grocery stores, gas stations and at almost every […]
June 1, 2024
What does retirement look like to you? The answer is different for everyone, but one thing is becoming clearer: many are beginning to view the traditional […]
June 1, 2024
Overall well-being and the need for self-care are increasingly in the spotlight, and as we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, employers are […]
May 1, 2024
Retirement can feel like a distant dream for many Canadian workers in today’s economic environment. The piggy bank just isn’t filling up as fast as it […]
May 1, 2024
Remote work has become the new norm, offering flexibility and freedom for employees. With advancements in technology and shifting attitudes towards traditional office environments, more employers […]
April 1, 2024
Tax season is here, and it’s the perfect time for employers to shine a light on the benefits of tax-advantaged savings options and stand behind employees […]
April 1, 2024
A new bill was recently introduced – Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare (Pharmacare Act) — that could change the healthcare landscape in Canada. The bill, […]
March 1, 2024
In today’s world, where diversity is celebrated more than ever, there’s a noticeable shift in embracing neurodiversity on a global scale. Workplaces are becoming more inclusive, […]
March 1, 2024
While this winter has been milder than usual, the winter blues can still sneak up on us and put a damper on morale. This is a […]
February 1, 2024
In February, hearts seem to be everywhere – not just in the aisles of Valentine’s Day decorations, but also within our daily lives. While the romantic […]
February 1, 2024
As of January 2024, changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) have been implemented, impacting middle-income earners in Canada. In exchange […]
January 1, 2024
The way we think about work – and how employers think about their teams – is changing dramatically. An HR revolution has been underway for decades, but […]
January 1, 2024
As the calendar turns to January, a subtle yet significant shift is happening in the workplace. It’s the time of year when the slate is wiped […]
December 1, 2023
Employee needs are at the heart of many changes shaping the landscape of workplace benefits. As we step into 2024, we are entering a transformative era […]
December 1, 2023
Just as Santa guides his reindeer through the night sky, managing numerous details and delivering joy to the world in a single night, employers must navigate […]
November 1, 2023
Canadians are trying to rebuild a sense of security and normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, but it hasn’t been easy. From rising grocery prices to limited […]
November 1, 2023
The occasional headache, back pain, or muscle strains can make our days difficult, but chronic pain is a different story. Enduring relentless discomfort, day after day, […]
October 1, 2023
World Mental Health Day, marked on October 10th, is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and advocacy worldwide, and an opportunity to address what more needs […]
October 1, 2023
The journey to retirement may seem like a slow-moving river, but before you know it, you’re navigating those final rapids. To ensure a smooth journey through […]
September 1, 2023
“Yeah … I’m gonna need you to come in on Saturday.” No movie highlights the importance of employee engagement like Office Space. While the 1999 cult […]
September 1, 2023
Slips and falls, cuts, chemical spills. Workplaces are prone to accidents and injuries, and employees need to be prepared for unexpected situations. First aid training in […]
August 1, 2023
‘Hot desking’ appears to be the new way to return to the office. For freelancers or part-time staff, this model may not be particularly new. It’s […]
August 1, 2023
There’s a dark side to the sunny days of summer – at least in the workplace. Studies show a significant drop in productivity among employees during […]
July 1, 2023
On July 24, the world will mark International Self-Care Day to raise awareness about self-care and the important role it plays in leading a healthy lifestyle. […]
July 1, 2023
What do you look forward to when coming to work? What are your career goals? What are some of the biggest challenges you face? These are […]
June 1, 2023
The modern workplace has a significant impact on the environment. From the wasteful use of energy to poor waste management, there are several ways in which […]
June 1, 2023
Earlier this year, the British Columbia government announced new pay transparency legislation to address systemic discrimination in the workplace and move closer to equal pay for […]
May 1, 2023
Turning off the alarm, switching on the coffee maker, and scrolling through the day’s news seems like a straightforward morning routine for anyone preparing to tackle […]
May 1, 2023
The experience of the past three years has reshaped our priorities and perceptions when it comes to work. Surveys show we’re more likely to put family […]
April 1, 2023
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers transitioned teams to work from home. Remote and hybrid work models won’t go away any time soon, but […]
April 1, 2023
Spring is Here! After months of snow, grey skies, and frigid temperatures, we’re ready to welcome spring. It’s the perfect time to declutter and let some […]
March 1, 2023
International Women’s Day Our work can contribute positively to our lives as a source of creativity, learning and contribution. But the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenges […]
March 1, 2023
Nutrition Month in Canada is here! March is Nutrition Month in Canada, a time to remember to take care of our families and ourselves by engaging […]
February 2, 2023
The federal government recently announced changes to Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits as a step forward in reforming Canada’s EI program. The changes are aimed at […]
February 1, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way businesses operate, and human resources is no exception. AI is playing a larger role in the recruitment, retention […]
January 9, 2023
Armed with advertisements, job descriptions, and requests for referrals, companies are aiming to win the war for talent. Each attempt to fill a position can easily become […]
January 1, 2023
The new year is an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings. This year, for many employers, the most common recruiting challenges remain the same. […]
December 14, 2022
Over the past year, employers have been focused on stabilizing remote workforces and keeping employees safe during a global pandemic. As we look ahead to the […]
December 1, 2022
A visit to the grocery store and a glance at the day’s headlines are quick reminders of the tough economic times we’re living in. Inflation is […]
November 2, 2022
Thousands of Canadians are dealing with tooth decay or gum disease. In some cases, these preventable oral conditions can lead to more significant health issues, such […]
November 1, 2022
Every week, 350,000 Canadians visit their doctor without leaving their house. We will most likely see that number grow as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change […]
October 2, 2022
Most of what we perceive in life comes through our sense of sight. Our eyes are an important part of our health; not only used to […]
October 1, 2022
There is little doubt the past two-and-a-half years of pandemic life have contributed to employee stress and burnout. ‘Quiet quitting’ – a term popularized on social media […]
September 14, 2022
Working Smarter? We would all like to improve our productivity, and to do so without working more hours. How, you’re wondering? Here are 5 areas worth exploring that […]
September 1, 2022
How financially savvy are North Americans? Just a little over half of Canadians have basic financial literacy, and Americans can’t answer about half of the questions […]
August 14, 2022
Increased Mental Health Issues The prevalence of mental health issues has increased dramatically over the course of the pandemic. Today, roughly 1/3 workers report feeling symptoms […]
August 1, 2022
The Lure of Remote Work The pandemic taught us that when push comes to shove, most of us can work successfully from home. But as restrictions […]
June 15, 2022
Professional development refers to any training or educational initiatives used to learn new skills, stay up to date in a fast-changing work world, and make career […]
June 1, 2022
The IT revolution and the pandemic have resulted in more of us working remotely than ever before, and this trend is likely to continue. As much […]
May 13, 2022
With employee turnover rates remaining high, hiring managers are looking to fill roles. This decision is often based on a tiny sample of time, the interview, […]
May 1, 2022
Last month, we saw that it is extremely costly when an employee quits ( ‘Increasing Turnover Rates – Why Now and Six Tips to Deal’). These […]
April 15, 2022
As we emerge from the pandemic and face ‘the new normal’, many employees are resisting returning to the office, saying they would rather quit, and many […]
April 1, 2022
What separates a good leader from a great one? It is tempting to think that it is something like cognitive abilities or personality traits – maybe […]
March 14, 2022
Defining productivity in terms of the rate of output per unit of input fit well when applied to assembly lines, but for today’s knowledge-based economy, being […]
March 1, 2022
We all know the importance of healthy eating – it combats illness, decreases fatigue, and improves work productivity. Eating is also one of life’s simple pleasures, […]
February 1, 2022
Revisiting 9 to 5 Only a few years ago, many of us viewed work as something that was done in the office between the hours of […]
February 1, 2022
World Cancer Day February 4th is World Cancer Day, and it is a reminder that cancer doesn’t stop for anything, not even a pandemic. And although the […]
January 2, 2022
A Hot Topic Psychological safety is one of the most important ingredients to success in the modern workplace. It is currently one of the hottest topics […]
January 1, 2022
Monday, January 17, 2022 is Blue Monday Did you know that the third Monday in January has been labeled ‘Blue Monday’ – the saddest day of […]
December 1, 2021
Adapting Quickly to Rapid Change The rapid changes observed in our world due to the pandemic have since become the foundation of the new normal of […]
December 1, 2021
“Tis the Season ‘Tis the season for giving. Fortunately for employers, it provides the perfect opportunity to show employees how much they’re appreciated. Worrying about employee […]
November 15, 2021
As long as we have a workforce, we will have workers who need to be onboarded. Onboarding involves much more than merely signing some papers and […]
November 1, 2021
What is Employee Engagement? Employee engagement is the degree of commitment and concern that an employee has for their organization and its goal, and it has […]
October 14, 2021
Strategic leaders and HR practitioners know the value of heads up, heads down, future-focused thinking. The ability to adapt to what is coming will be a […]
October 1, 2021
Understanding Resilience Dealing with uncertainty and COVID-19 pandemic-related changes have tested our resilience both at home and in the workplace. We’ve had to find new ways […]
September 1, 2021
The future of work is here. The coronavirus pandemic rapidly shifted the focus of several workplace challenges and with it, the number of pressing human capital […]
September 1, 2021
In recent months, COVID-19 vaccines have become readily available. The summer of 2021 saw a push for vaccine clinics to be held in public health buildings, […]
August 2, 2021
As we start to see the decline of the pandemic’s clutch hold, the rise of employee turnover and job dissatisfaction has become an increasing concern for […]
July 24, 2021
In the last few months at least three new surveys were released that show how important hybrid or remote working arrangements are to Canadian workers. In […]
July 3, 2021
There are many reasons to continue working remotely. For employees, the elimination of a commute, not having to dress for work, overall cost and time-savings, as […]
July 3, 2021
Rounding the corner on the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic could generate an influx of health claims, mental health issues, and complex family and work-related […]
June 3, 2021
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers faced mounting concerns about the rise in mental health-related absences — many of which led to both short and long […]
June 1, 2021
June is here and with it comes thoughts of summer travel, sunny days spent at the beach, relaxing at the cottage, and picnics with family and […]
May 4, 2021
It may well be an employer’s market when it comes to selecting from a sea of possible candidates, but the value of keeping talented, knowledgeable, and […]
May 3, 2021
Uncertainty Prevails From a leadership and human resources perspective, the emphasis on employee mental well-being has never been more intense. Perhaps weighing on their minds is […]
April 5, 2021
In the last twelve months, we have all experienced some kind of lockdown or stay-at-home requirements and a need to find new ways to get work […]
April 3, 2021
An organization’s culture is as individualistic as a person’s fingerprint. It is unique and often difficult to articulate. Employees tend to describe their workplace culture as […]
March 2, 2021
When we’re babies, we struggle with falling asleep. As we age, we find it harder to stay asleep and, as a result, many of us involuntarily […]
March 1, 2021
Employee Appreciation Day makes sense to many on paper, but there are obstacles that prevent it from getting traction within organizations. What stops employers from taking […]
February 6, 2021
Whether you’re working from home or not, these times have created the potential for greater social isolation and stress. It can be difficult to know what […]
February 6, 2021
These days, many of us are working remotely. As a result, it can be more challenging to make a clear distinction between your working hours and […]
January 20, 2021
We know that financial stress is affecting people more than ever before. There is so much information available that it is difficult to know what to […]
January 3, 2021
January is known as the month of New Year’s resolutions, a recommitment to healthier eating habits, a reboot to regular exercise, and the hopeful promise of […]
December 17, 2020
As the month of December draws to a close and employees are taking some much needed time off, things should hopefully quiet down in terms of […]
December 8, 2020
This second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has left people feeling stressed, uncertain and exhausted. For those fortunate enough to have work, many are burning the […]
November 20, 2020
You may be surprised to learn that ESG Investing has been around for a number of years. While the term was first coined in 2005, there […]
November 4, 2020
For many, this has been a time of increased stress due to pandemic-related challenges and economic uncertainty. Throw existing financial worries into the mix and you […]
October 16, 2020
In a previous post, we discussed free mental health apps as well as the value of prioritizing self care. This post focuses on ways to incorporate […]
October 4, 2020
Now more than ever, it is easy to see that focusing on self care and one’s mental health is important. With another wave of the pandemic […]
August 27, 2020
Now that provincial governments in Canada are carefully allowing for the reopening of doors to the economy, it’s an important time for employers to ensure they are making comprehensively safe plans for reopening their own workplaces.
August 24, 2020
Life is all about making connections and today we are pleased to announce that Conte Financial Services Inc. (CFS) and Dickinson & Associates reached an agreement as of September 1st to merger under the name Prime Benefits Group. Conte Financial Services and Dickinson & Associates are both leaders in employee benefits and pension consulting.