MP Benefits Perspective

Special thanks to Gavin Mosley for igniting the spark for this posting. After years of working with employers on building benefits, I think there are one of two roads for employee group benefit plan discussions: 1. Build a plan according to the rates (premium)...

Is it Mandatory?

The constant question…is it mandatory? Why? Typically employers offer an employee group benefit plan as an incentive, part of their positive culture building to retain staff and add to overall compensation. However, despite the best intentions, some employees refuse...

What is exact?

We are all familiar with the “Fair is not Equal and Equal is not Fair”; however, when competing professionals use the term “exact” what “exactly” do they mean? We’ve all been there, a client has their head turned by a competitor offering “exactly” the same for great...

Benefits

The Value of a Thorough Analysis

Just how do employers know their benefit plan has the financial integrity to not be taken advantage of via fraud or other forms of mismanagement? While some organization will hire outside practitioners to complete a full financial audit of all of their benefits,...

Challenging the notion of “Lifestyle Drugs” on benefit plans

The most common understanding of a “Lifestyle” drug is a medication prescribed for what are considered non-life threatening and non-painful conditions, like: · Erectile Dysfunction · Baldness · Acne · Narcolepsy · Sleep apnea · Fertility...

The National Programs

As discussed with John Dujay from the HR Reporter on his recent article “How will the Liberal-NDP pack affect the benefit landscape”, when major stakeholders have yet to be consulted, these Federal Government propositions bring with them more questions than answers....

Compensation

Refusal of Coverage

To continue with the theme of employer risk of becoming the insurer, let’s consider all the times employees want to waive off the life and disability portion of the plan. A common and misunderstood administration issue is what can and cannot be waived as it applies to...

The Unique Differential

Recently business discussions have delved into the deeper “why”. Why do we do what we do? Start with the why, rather than the what and how. Makes sense really, we’re in business for a reason…why are we motivated to do what we do… Simon Sinek’s book “Start with Why” is...

Building Integrity in Benefits

Integrity in business is spoken of often and practice every day. This is done through building trusting and lasting relationships with customers. Providing quality service at the agreed upon price and being there after the sale to continue to service the ongoing needs...

Culture

The Little Vision that could—and DID

Inspiration happens when you allow yourself to “see” things through a different lens. Just when you think you know a place… Vision is sticking to the dream to make it a goal, then a reality, and a triumph over the long term. There is no overnight success…...

Hire to Retire…

It’s an old concept. Can it be made new again? By and large, the baby boomers, in their effort to rebuild and re-establish “normal” went to work for a company with intention of staying with the same corporate enterprise until retirement. What an idea! Many understood...

The Paradigm shift in perspective of disABILITIES

According to Trish Kelly from Open Door, one in five Canadians TODAY lives with a disability—whether disclosed or not. In a world where diversity, inclusion, and equity are synonymous with workplace corporate culture, 20% of our active workforce continues to be...

Wellness

Protection of Wealth

I’m a firm believer that if you set yourself on the right path, you will meet the right people to help you succeed. From this, I remember that with every interaction, I should be able glean a nugget which will help me personally, professionally, or both. This, I am...

Building a workplace wellness culture

Is building a “Workplace Wellness Culture” even possible when these are three separate and distinct entities of being? Wellness, for instance, is defined as an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. According to...

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Prior to March 2020, more than 30% of all disability claims in Canada were mental health related. Even with such staggering figures, and despite EAP programs having been around for decades, employer’s response to implementing Employee Assistance Programs remained a...