Cultivating Conversation on Mental Health in the Workplace

By Michele Mactaggart

With 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 […]

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A Chat with Michele Mactaggert, President of Bensol, on Celebrating Two Decades of Service

By Letter M

Since 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 […]

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Managing Costs: Should You Pass Benefit Premiums on to Your Employees?

By Michele Mactaggart

Managing 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 […]

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At renewal time, should I shop out my plan for the best deal?

By Michele Mactaggart

The 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 […]

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How can I lower my costs without reducing coverage for my employees?

By Michele Mactaggart

One 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 […]

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How can benefits help make my business stronger?

By Michele Mactaggart

As 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 […]

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Benefits for Smaller Small Business

By Michele Mactaggart

Small businesses face tough challenges when it comes to recruiting (and retaining!) top talent because the job market is competitive, and as a small business owner, you’re competing with companies of all sizes. To remain successfully competitive in today’s business world, it’s imperative for small businesses to be offering employees real value, which means meeting […]

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On the Rise: Trending Benefits of 2023

By Michele Mactaggart

Employee benefits have gained attention over the past few years, and rightfully so. Today’s growing Millennial and Gen Z workforce understands the importance of basic healthcare, and the advantages of working for an employer that offers other types of benefits that support their lives outside work. As we navigate an age of high turnover and […]

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Asking the Right Questions: Employee Benefits Surveys + Template

By Michele Mactaggart

There’s a phrase I like that says, “if you don’t ask, you’ll never know,” which I think applies to most things in life, and your employees’ job satisfaction is no different. But we usually only hear answers to the questions we’re asking, and sometimes miss out on pertinent information. It may be time to ask […]

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Getting the Most out of Benefits Means Knowing What They Are

By Michele Mactaggart

What good is having something if you don’t know about it? Whether it’s because you don’t know it exists, or you simply don’t know how to use it, how do you know if you’re reaping the benefits? The same goes for employee benefits. You could offer the best, most comprehensive benefits to your staff, but […]

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