Word on Benefits

Life Skills Initiatives in Apprenticeship Training

Justin Held, CEBS

21 Jun 202221 Jun 2022

The International Foundation has surveyed apprenticeship stakeholders across the U.S. and Canada since 2010, gathering insights on a number of trends impacting their plans, including program challenges, apprentice challenges, recruitment and retention initiatives, communication strategies, instructor quality initiatives, and life skills initiatives. […]

Communication Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey U.S.

Number of Employers Offering Juneteenth As a Paid Holiday On the Rise

Anne Patterson

14 Jun 202214 Jun 2022

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill establishing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day is now the 12th legal public holiday in the United States, and the first one created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed […]

Canada Communication Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care HIPAA Insurance

The Perfect Storm Facing Canada’s Rapidly Aging Population: An Interview with Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Ph.D.

Tim Hennessy

09 Jun 202209 Jun 2022

In an interview in the March/April issue of Plans & Trusts, actuary Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Ph.D., FCIA, FSA, called for new policies and practices to address the multiple challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s long-term care model. MacDonald, the director of financial security research […]

Communication Compliance Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits Health Care Human Resources (HR) LGBTQ+ U.S. Voluntary Benefits Wellness

Meeting the Benefit Needs of Your LGBTQ+ Plan Members

Cara McMullin

07 Jun 202208 Jun 2022

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Canada and the U.S., a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and their history, culture and contributions. To honor this month, we are revisiting a helpful article about how plan sponsors can be […]

Canada Compliance Education Employee Benefits Legislative

Parlez-vous français? What Bill 96 Means for Employers

Alyssa Hodder, GBA

03 Jun 202203 Jun 2022

Quebec recently passed Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, which modifies the Quebec Charter of the French Language. Designed to support and promote the primary status of the French language in the province of Quebec, this […]

Communication Employee Benefits Human Resources (HR) Paid Leave Paid Time Off (PTO) Parental Leave U.S.

Miscarriage and Other Pregnancy Loss Leave

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

01 Jun 202201 Jun 2022

According to the Mayo Clinic, roughly 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. The physical and emotional needs of someone who experiences pregnancy loss vary from one individual to another. Indonesia, India, Taiwan, and New Zealand are a few countries […]

Communication Compliance Defined Benefit (DB) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans DOL Employee Benefits Legislative Public Plans Regulatory Retirement U.S.

Everything Plan Sponsors Need to Know About SECURE Act 2.0

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

26 May 202226 May 2022

On March 29, 2022, the House of Representatives passed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022 (HR 2954), otherwise known as SECURE Act 2.0, by a vote of 414-5. Secure Act 2.0 builds on the 2019 Setting Every Community Up for […]

CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) Communication Education Employee Benefits U.S. Voluntary Benefits

Countering the Great Resignation Through Education

SandyT

24 May 202224 May 2022

When asked how The Great Resignation of 2021 affected their organizations, one in three respondents indicated it is “somewhat or very difficult” to retain good talent (According to this Bamboo HR survey report). What can organizations do to respond to this challenge? […]

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8 Ways to Support Employees With Mental Health Challenges

Cara McMullin

19 May 202219 May 2022

As Mental Health Awareness Month (in the U.S.) continues, we’re sharing strategies and approaches to help leaders respond to employees with mental illness in a psychologically safe way. When employees have mental illnesses, effective accommodation can help them stay productive at work. Leaders […]

Behavioral Decision Making Canada Communication Compliance Diversity and Inclusion Employee Benefits U.S. Wellness

Communicating DEI: Five Critical Questions

Tim Hennessy

17 May 202217 May 2022

Many companies have made progressive changes to their approach in recruiting, hiring and management to make the workplace an environment where everyone can succeed. While diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have long been valued by employees looking for a sense of belonging […]