Understanding Self-Funded Health & Dental Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide for Employers
By Michele MactaggartProviding a robust benefits package is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. However, the cost of offering comprehensive health and dental benefits can be substantial, especially for small to medium-sized businesses, making it difficult to keep up with the competition. Many employers are looking for alternatives that offer more control over costs without sacrificing […]
Cultivating Conversation on Mental Health in the Workplace
By Michele MactaggartWith growing awareness of how mental wellbeing impacts productivity, job satisfaction and overall quality of life, it’s more essential than ever for employers to foster a culture that prioritizes mental health. This involves not only creating mental health-friendly policies, but also encouraging open and honest discussion about mental well-being among employees. “Often, when talking mental […]
A Chat with Michele Mactaggert, President of Bensol, on Celebrating Two Decades of Service
By Letter MSince 2004, Michele Mactaggart and the Bensol team have been delivering benefits, wellness solutions, and insurance to SMEs, charities, and non-profit organizations. This includes owner and employee insurance, health and dental benefit plans, and GRSP programs to entrepreneurs of all sizes and in various stages of business. Interviewer: Let’s start from the beginning. What inspired […]
Managing Costs: Should You Pass Benefit Premiums on to Your Employees?
By Michele MactaggartManaging costs effectively is crucial for the sustainability and growth of any company. One significant expense that often comes under scrutiny is employee benefits and insurance premiums. Employee benefits, especially health insurance, represent a substantial portion of overall compensation costs. With the continuous rise in healthcare expenses, many businesses find it increasingly difficult to bear […]
Prioritizing Wellness: Discussing Benefits with Your Team
By Michele MactaggartIn today’s professional landscape, where work-life balance is often elusive, prioritizing wellness in the workplace has become more important than ever. As a leader or manager, it’s essential to initiate conversations about benefits and wellness with your team to ensure their overall health and productivity. Addressing these topics is crucial for fostering a positive and […]
At renewal time, should I shop out my plan for the best deal?
By Michele MactaggartThe joys of renewal time; when the temptation to shop around for a new plan can be oh-so-alluring. But before you dive headfirst into the world of comparison shopping, let’s take a moment to consider why sticking to your current plan might actually be the smarter move. First things first, let’s talk stability. Switching benefits […]
How can I lower my costs without reducing coverage for my employees?
By Michele MactaggartOne of biggest challenges in finding a benefits plan for an SME is the concept of cost vs. functionality. No two people, let alone an entire workforce, are living the same life, facing the same challenges, or experiencing the same hardships at one time; so how can you as an employer get the most functionality […]
Can Benefits Save my Employees a Trip to the Doctor During Working Hours?
By Michele MactaggartThe short answer? YES! Over the years, we’ve established that the most competitive businesses rely on a healthy and happy workforce. Without competitive healthcare benefits, it’s harder to create a winning workplace where talent can thrive. After all, 78% of employees report that they’re more likely to stick around for the long haul if their employers offer […]
Providing Sufficient Support for Infertility in the Workplace
By Michele MactaggartWhen facing a challenging personal or medical issue, it’s likely to affect a person’s life outside their… well, personal life; adequate support and accommodation is essential, and some days, it can feel somewhat impossible just to do the basics. 1 in 6 individuals struggle with infertility – a 100% increase since the 1980s. From this […]
How can benefits help make my business stronger?
By Michele MactaggartAs a small business owner, you’ve signed on to wear many hats in your day-to-day operations: manager, accountant, customer service… maybe even occasional therapist. It’s a balancing act, but if you’ve been able to master it, congratulations! That’s no small feat. While many small businesses prove that a job or service can be well executed […]
