Value Over Cost – How to Positively Approach Benefit Renewals
By Michele MactaggartWhen it comes to employee group benefits, the whole administrative process can be daunting – what makes it worse? When you go to renew, and the cost has spiked. What’s that all about? Group benefit costs in Canada are forecasted to rise 7 per cent in 2022. A combination of higher costs for prescription drugs, […]
Keeping Talent Through Corporate Social Responsibility
By Michele MactaggartNo one likes losing things, whether it be your keys, your wallet, or your lucky pencil. The same goes for amazing employees. That familiar “where did I put them?” becomes “where did we go wrong?”. Losing talent is inevitable in running an organization – if you’re lucky, it won’t be often (no one likes a […]
Three employee benefits trends to watch this year
By Letter MOnce again, a new year arrived with us all still living in a global pandemic. Cue the “rinse and repeat” jokes and “welcome to 2020 (part 3)” memes. As I help my kids grapple with online learning (again), the year so far does indeed feel like more of the same. However, how employees access their […]
Small business and charities share many benefits
By Michele MactaggartDo you know a small business owner? Have a local grocer you absolutely love? Maybe it’s that new independently owned coffee shop down the street that makes your morning routine a little brighter. I’ve had the privilege to get to know the leaders of many small organizations and they are among the most passionate and […]
Protecting your Assets: Addressing Workplace Mental Health in 2022
By Michele MactaggartWith most of us considering the mind the greatest asset in business, it’s only natural that we’re nurturing it in every capacity. Workplace mental health has become more than just words on a page in an employee manual – it’s become a fundamental pillar in an organization’s presence – and ultimately, its sustainable success. Collectively, […]
Benefits You Might Not Know are Benefits
By Michele MactaggartWhen you think benefits, obvious examples come to mind – things like dental, vision, even massages… but did you know that group benefits plans have way more bandwidth than just the basics? Group Benefits is a broad term – it umbrellas over one hundred areas of added assistance employers can (and, sometimes, should) provide to […]
Recruiting Millennials Means Putting Values in the Front Seat
By Michele MactaggartWhat if I told you that according to Statistics Canada, millennials make up 50% of Canada’s workforce? As baby-boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) retire, organizations that aren’t prepared to understand millennial needs will have a hard time hiring and keeping them. Period. And, given the current Great Resignation, you’re probably in the market […]
Roadmap to Re-Opening the Office – What Should Your New Normal Look Like?
By Michele MactaggartWe’ve been saying it for over 18 months – “new normal” – a bit of an oxymoron, but it’s evidently our current reality. Employers are facing new challenges and opportunities, all the while learning that our employees can make a lasting impact within our organizations from their kitchen tables. The work is getting done even if we’re not all together. However, as we move […]
Supporting Employees’ Financial Wellbeing is Key to Productivity and Innovation
By Michele MactaggartWhether we are feeling anxiety about paying the rent, having savings to cover emergencies, or worrying about retirement, financial stress is a major contributor to our overall wellbeing. If money worries keep employees up at night, how productive are they during the day? According to a study conducted by the Canadian Payroll Association, almost half […]
Long COVID may affect Long Term Disability claims
By Michele MactaggartLong Term Disability (LTD) insurance is increasingly becoming an important component of an employer’s compensation package. Not only does it help recruit and keep the best possible talent, disability insurance also gives employees – and their employers – the peace of mind that if they are unable to work for an extended period, the insurance […]
