The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a period of heightened stress and overwhelm. From the pressures of hosting family gatherings to the financial strain of gift-giving, to balancing cultural traditions with mainstream celebrations, the season often carries a weight that impacts our physical and emotional health.
Honoring your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being is essential during this time. Here are some practical ways to prioritize yourself during the holidays so you can create a more balanced and fulfilling holiday experience for yourself and those around you:
Spend Time with the Land
Connection to the land is at the heart of many teachings and our over all health. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s walking in the forest, sitting by the water, or simply feeling the snow beneath your feet, can provide grounding and healing. The land is a source of refuge and balance—its rhythms remind us that we, too, are part of a greater cycle.
Honor Your Feelings Through Ceremony
The holidays often bring a range of emotions, from joy and gratitude to sadness and grief. Traditional practices can help you acknowledge and honor these feelings. If it aligns with your traditions, you might smudge with sage, sweetgrass, or cedar to cleanse your spirit and invite a sense of calm. A small fire ceremony can be a meaningful way to release burdens, letting the smoke carry your thoughts and emotions. You may also find peace through traditional activities like storytelling or throat singing. If jigging or playing the fiddle is part of your culture, embrace these practices to bring joy and lightheartedness to the season.
Nourish Your Spirit with Cultural Foods
Food is more than sustenance—it’s connection to culture, community, and ancestors. Whenever possible, incorporate traditional foods into your holiday meals. Whether it’s bannock, wild game, smoked fish, seal, or berries, these foods carry the spirit of the land and your heritage. Sharing a meal with loved ones or community can deepen these connections and remind you of your roots.
Strengthen Community Ties
The holidays are a time to lean into the strength of your community. Reach out to Elders for wisdom and stories that can guide you through this season. Gather with family, friends, or your broader community to share laughter, songs, and support. If you’re feeling isolated, consider joining local events such as feasts, powwows, or community gatherings to reconnect.
Practice the Teachings of Reciprocity
One of the core values in many Indigenous cultures across turtle island is reciprocity—giving back to others as a way of nurturing relationships. This can take many forms during the holidays: offering a meal to someone in need, gifting handmade crafts, or simply listening deeply to a loved one. Acts of generosity and gratitude can help you feel more connected and uplifted.
Create Space for Reflection
The holidays are also a time to reflect on the teachings and wisdom of your ancestors. Use this season to connect with their stories and traditions, whether by crafting, drumming, singing, or engaging in quiet contemplation. Journaling about your experiences and the lessons you’ve learned throughout the year can also be a powerful tool for clarity and balance.
Balance Rest and Movement
The teachings of balance remind us to care for both the body and spirit. Stay active by engaging in activities that align with your cultural traditions, such as snowshoeing, jigging, or dancing. At the same time, honor the need for rest. Sleep deeply and take time to restore your energy, knowing that rest is a sacred act of self-care.
Seek Support When You Need It
It’s okay to ask for help. Whether from a family member, a trusted Elder, or a counselor, sharing your struggles can lighten the load. Indigenous-focused services and resources are available to provide support that honors your identity and experiences.
By weaving these practices into your holiday season, you can find balance, connection, and strength. Remember, the teachings of your culture and traditions are always there to guide you back to wellness.
For culturally safe and trauma-informed resources:
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
The Benefits of Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long-Term disability
We all strive to never become seriously ill or injured, however things happen, and it is better to be prepared than not. One way you can prepare yourself and your family is to have short term or long-term disability insurance in place through an employer or as an individual.
What is Disability Insurance?
Disability insurance can provide financial assistance to you and your family if you were ever to become seriously ill or injured. Disability insurance can protect you by replacing a portion of your income. You receive this benefit if you were ever diagnosed with a covered medical illness, mental health issue, or injury that prevents you from working.
While Disability insurance is a type of health insurance like critical illness insurance, it is different in that it is directly tied to your ability to work and produce an income. There are many different types of disability insurances, from group plans to individual plans to government provide plans like ones covered under CPP, we will be focusing on the differences between Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance and how they can benefit you.
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term disability covers a portion of your income, usually up to a maximum of six months if you were to become ill or injured. The waiting period before receiving benefits is typically shorter than other types of disability benefits like long-term.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Long-term disability has a longer waiting period before benefits start, and usually only begin when one of the following ends:
short-term disability insurance
sick leave from your employer
EI sickness benefits
Many long-term disability benefits pay between 60% and 70% of your normal income. While each policy is different, some will pay up to 2 years while you recover from your injury or illness and unable to work.
So how could disability insurance benefit you?
Disability Insurance can help pay the bills when your income stops due to illness or injury. Even if you don’t work a physically demanding or risky job, disability insurance can help you in the event of other conditions. For example, let’s say you are diagnosed with serious depression and are unable to work because of it. You could receive a portion of your income from your policy which will allow you to take time off work and focus on your mental health. Another excellent example of how Short-term and long term benefits can help you and work in tandem together is provided by Benefits and Design. Click the link here for the detailed infographic.
Things to consider before getting Disability Insurance
If you are self-employed, it may be a good idea to get an individual disability insurance plan. However, if you are employed, check with your employer or plan administrator to see if you already have short-term or long-term disability insurance.
Some things to look out for if you are searching for an individual plan:
how much the policy will cost
if you still need to pay premiums while living with a disability
the amount of money you’ll get each month
if the benefits are taxable
if the insurance company adjusts benefits for inflation
how long you need to wait before receiving benefits
if the plan includes partial disability benefits
if the insurance company allows you to increase your coverage without a medical exam
Also, each insurer may define disabilities a little differently. The definition may vary from different plans from the same insurer, so be sure to look over each one before purchasing.
If you have any questions, would like some guidance on finding an individual plan for you or to check if your health benefits currently include LTD or STD insurance, please reach out by contacting us here.
Sometimes, the amount of stress in our everyday lives can build up and seem overwhelming and unmanageable. From work to family obligations, to paying the bills, the number of things we need to do in a day can add up and put a lot of pressure on your physical and mental health. This stress can inhibit your emotions, your joy and even your ability to think clearly, throwing you out of balance.
But with the right tools the stresses of everyday life can be managed until those stresses are eased. Here are some tools you can use to self regulate and bring yourself back into balance:
Get out and ground yourself in nature
Spend time outside on the land wherever you are, whether that is your yard, a garden, your communities’ land, a park or a nearby hiking trail. Being outside and communing with the land and mother nature can act as refuge from everyday stresses and help you disconnect from the causes of your anxiety.
Release your emotions
Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we hold everything inside and forget to release what we are feeling. It’s okay to cry, to vocalize the stress and pain, to talk about what you are feeling and release that energy. If needed, find a trusted friend, or loved one, or maybe a counsellor with whom you feel safe with and let those emotions flow.
Reach out to your community
If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you don’t have to go it alone. Speak to your family, to your friends and elders and let them know what is happening for you. Let them help you with their wisdom, their laughter and their love. Strengthening your connection to your community and your loved ones in difficult times can help ease the burden that stress is causing you.
Lean into your cultural and spiritual teachings
If you have a favorite cultural or spiritual practice that you enjoy, like smudging in the mornings, jingle dress dancing, drumming, creating art, or singing, embrace them. Lean into those things that bring you joy and connection in your traditions and spirituality.
Eating a balanced diet
Getting proper nutrition when you are feeling overwhelmed is an important part of managing stress. It will help make your body feel whole and strong and keep your emotions and mental health balanced. Make sure to eat a nutritious and balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates and fruits and vegetables. Whenever you can, incorporate your traditional foods into your meals and fun foods as well! The joy in eating what is familiar, comforting or fun can help boost your mood and nourish the spirit.
Take regular exercise
Move your body in ways that make you feel good. Whether that’s playing your favorite sport, swimming, going for a walk outside or dancing. The important thing is to move your body and move your body regularly. The more joy you can have in your movement the better it will make you feel.
Get enough Sleep
An important part of bringing yourself back into balance is getting enough sleep. Some ways to help make sure you get those needed hours of rest are getting off your phone/screens at least an hour before bed; give yourself a regular bed time; regular exercise can also help relax you and get that deep restorative sleep you need.
Above all, make sure you give yourself a lot of compassion and grace when you are feeling stressed. It can be confusing as to where to begin helping yourself when you already feel overwhelmed. Start small by incorporating one healthy habit at a time, and slowly build on the confidence that the positive changes bring.
For more information, culturally sensitive resources and supports, check out the links below:
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
It is no secret to employers that managing short-term, long-term, and occupational disability, as well as other absence-related matters, can be overwhelming – even at the best of times. It is not uncommon for a seemingly simple case to quickly develop into a much more complex and challenging one, for even experienced HR or health & safety professionals. Entrusting your disability claim management to experts in the field alleviates the administrative burden from your organization while guaranteeing exceptional results.
From the onset of a claim through to its conclusion, Disability Management Companies (DMC) proactively manage occupational, non-occupational injuries and illnesses with personalized recover-at-work solutions.
The following benefits are usually provided to our clients through our third party disability management providers:
A collaborative review of your company’s return-to-work policies and procedures to ensure best practices are in place. This includes establishing/understanding job demands, modified duties and developing comprehensive “Employee return to work” plan development for current and future use.
Management, record-keeping and constant stakeholders communication from onset of a disability to its conclusion.
Comprehensive custom reporting includes, but is not limited to, claims activity reports, trend analyses, cost projections, forecasts and annual report summaries.
“ Unfortunately, waiting for appointments and diagnostic procedures is standard practice in Canada’s public health care system. Disability Management services can alleviate the administrative burden from your organization while guaranteeing exceptional results.”
At Eagle BayFinancial Services, we believe the key to reducing cost and lost time by prioritizing your organization and employees is critical for effective health management. Your team members` speedy recovery directly translates into an early and safe return to work.
Unfortunately, waiting for appointments and diagnostic procedures is standard practice in Canada’s public health care system. In response to this barrier, we would like to introduce you to one of our Disability management partners, TeksMed!
TeksMed Services Inc. is an industry leader with over 25 years of disability management experience. TeksMed offers Expedited Health Care with occupational and non-occupational programs at no additional cost. Early access to health care prevents any delays to diagnosis and treatment, which could otherwise impede the employee from returning to work safely and swiftly.
With this exceptional solution, your team will enjoy accelerated access to free diagnostic scans and specialist appointments. They will be supported throughout their recovery and receive additional coverage for services such as MRIs, CT scans, and specialist consultations.
In addition to the disability management programs, TeksMed also offers several wellness solutions for organizations to support their employees before absences occur:
QuikCare Thrive is an app-based mental wellbeing program that was developed to help employees build resilience to stress. Users can access mental health support, information and coping techniques anytime and anywhere.
QuikCare Platinum is an employee benefit that can help workers avoid taking time off work by giving them expedited access to health care. Should one of your employees be suffering from a medical condition causing them stress or, perhaps, worry is developing into something that may require a leave of absence, TeksMed can proactively intervene to arrange for diagnostic scans or specialist appointments in a mere matter of days.
We are thrilled to have a strong relationship with TeksMed and happy to offer their services to our valuable clients. TeksMed shares our commitment to expert knowledge, unparalleled services, integrity, and confidentiality. We would like you to see the return on investment through reduced time loss and administration costs in your Indigenous organization.
Inspired by a never-ending quest to be the best, TeksMed continues to set the standard and raise the bar for integrity, innovation and exceptional service. For more information, visit www.teksmed.com.
To get started, contact our Account Managers Jenny Kellet or Denise Perry.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many dental and health practitioners have been forced to close. As a result, the use of dental and some other extended health care benefits have declined.
Canada`s three major insurance companies, Sun Life, Canada Life and CINUP have recently announced premium deduction for dental and non-drug-related extended health care benefits for their group insurance clients.
Sun Life Financial
Here are the changes Sun Life is making for all non-refund clients:
Dental: 50% dental premium credit per month.
Extended Health Care: 20% premium credit on the non-drug coverage portion of extended health care benefit premium
Sun Life is going to apply the April credit to your June 1 invoice and will continue to assess the situation on a monthly basis. For more information, please visit SunLife.ca
Canada Life
Dental: 50% premium reduction adjustment will be applied.
Vision: 20% premium reduction adjustment will be applied.
Healthcare (excluding drugs): A 20% premium reduction adjustment will be applied.
Canada Life is going to apply the premium credit retroactive to April 1, 2020. May premium reduction adjustments will be completed on the June billing.
CINUP recognizes the impacts of the pandemic and the ability for plan members to utilize their dental and extended health benefits.
CINUP is providing the following credits, retroactive to April 1st, on May 2020 billing:
Dental: 50% premium reduction adjustment
Extended Health: 10% premium reduction adjustment
Your June bill will show the credits applied for April, as well as the full premium for June. The credits will be monitored monthly and you will be notified of any changes.
For any questions and more information, please contact our group benefits managers, Mina Dingle or Kathy Cordonier. They will be more than happy to assist you.
Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine services became the most convenient and easy access to quality healthcare when and where members need it most.
As Eagle BayFinancial Services, we are excited to announce CINUP’s, one of Canada`s leading insurance companies, partnership with Teladoc™ Health.
Effective immediately, Teladoc telemedicine services will be included for all employees who hold CINUP Extended Health Care coverage. Members can visit with a Canadian certified physician by phone or video for a broad array of episodic healthcare issues. During the visit, employees can receive a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and even be prescribed medicine when necessary. With Telemedicine Services, members can stop waiting for care and get back to feeling better, faster.
Teladoc : Offering a New Front Door To Healthcare In Canada
Teladoc is the global leader in virtual care, providing convenient access to high-quality healthcare for millions of people in more than 130 countries. With Teladoc, your employees can talk with a doctor within an hour by phone or video conference from wherever they are, in Canada or the US, for non-emergency conditions like the flu, allergies, infections, and much more. Doctors can also prescribe medicine if needed.
Is your First Nations community located in a remote area?
Up in the middle of the night with a sick child?
Or perhaps living or vacationing in a rural location, making it difficult to obtain medical care?
Self-isolating and can’t get in to see a doctor?
Teladoc is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Because visits are conducted by phone or video, there are no geographic restrictions to getting to high-quality care from anywhere. Employees simply can download the Teladoc app from Apple or Google Play, complete the quick registration, and request a consultation.
“ Effective immediately, Teladoc telemedicine services will be included for all employees who hold CINUP Extended Health Care coverage. ”
How To Set Up Teladoc Account On Your Smartphone: 4 Easy Steps
Here is how your employees can set up Teladoc services and access licenced physicians easily, within an hour by phone or video.;
Download the app:
Search for “Teladoc” in the App Store or on Google Play.
Set up your account:
Once you’ve downloaded the app, select “Set up your account.”
Enter necessary contact information:
Type in your name, date of birth, and postal code
Type in your security information:
Select your coverage, create a password, type in your phone number, and agree to the terms and conditions.
For more information, you can also call 1-888-983-5236 or visit Teladoc.ca
Employees demand better benefits from their employers, and due to COVID-19, virtual health services became a vital part of health care delivery. Teladoc is designed to help you, your employees and their dependents to receive the medical treatment they need. It is a perfect solution, specifically with the distinct needs of an employer like you in mind. We know your employees are your most valuable asset, so we continually look for more ways to protect them. Teladoc will ensure the best medical support is always at their fingertips.
For more information on how to add Teladoc to your CINUP employee benefits program, you can reach our Managers Mina Dingle or Denise Perry.
Managing “Medical & Recreational Cannabis” in Your Workplace
It’s been more than couple of months since recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada, and the country hasn’t gone up in smoke (pun intended). Although it’s still early days, and therefore impossible to know the full impact on workplaces, there’s no doubt that managing cannabis in the workplace is going to be on employer’s minds as we look towards 2019. Below, we’ve outlined a couple of key things to continue to watch for:
“Legalization of recreational cannabis does not give employees the right to be impaired at work.”
Employer Obligations: Medical & Recreational Cannabis
Employers have several obligations to workforce, and cannabis is no exception.
1. Duty to Accommodate
Employers have a legal duty to accommodate their employees until the point of undue hardship for a disability and its treatment. This duty extends to employees using medical cannabis (but not recreational cannabis) in the same way accommodation would be required for any other disabled employee who has been prescribed medication for their condition.
Example:an employee who has been prescribed medical cannabis to reduce symptoms of nausea from chemotherapy treatment.
2. Provide a Safe Environment
Employers must provide a workplace that is safe for all employees, and every reasonable precaution must be taken to protect their health and safety.
Example:A forklift operator prescribed medical cannabis may be required accommodation, such as performing a different role, while taking prescribed medication due to their role being deemed a safety sensitive role. This is to protect the employee and other employees from a potential accident in the workplace and meet the requirement of zero tolerance for this role.
Medical Cannabis At Work: Four Things Employers & Employees Should Know
Employers and employees alike should note that a prescription for medical cannabis DOES NOT entitle an employee to:
be impaired at work;
compromise his or her safety, or the safety of others;
smoke in the workplace – anti-smoking laws apply to cannabis in the same way they do to regular cigarettes;
unexcused absences or late arrivals.
Spotting Impairment in the Workplace
One of the biggest challenges for employers will be spotting impairment from the use of cannabis. There is no standard definition of impairment, and unlike alcohol, there is no current consensus on safe limits for cannabis use.
Adding to this difficulty is the fact that the effects of cannabis on individuals varies widely. Factors such as frequency of use, height and weight, sex, and the level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can affect a person’s level of impairment. However, there are some common observable effects, such as:
Lack of concentration
Impaired learning and memory
Drowsiness
Changes in normal mood or behaviour
It should be noted that the legalization of recreational cannabis does not give employees the right to be impaired at work. Employers will have to set rules for non-medical use of cannabis. A good “rule of thumb” is to adopt the same stance as alcohol in your workplace.
Updating and Crafting a Drug and Alcohol Policy
A drug and alcohol policy outlines the rules and restrictions of legal and illegal substances for employees and is an essential workplace policy. With the legalization of recreational cannabis, employers will need to update their drug and alcohol policies to include it.
However, the impact of this change need not be significant. In fact, if an employer already has a drug and alcohol policy in place, a simple amendment to include recreational and medical cannabis (if not already present) may be all that is required.
For those employers who do not have a drug and alcohol policy in place, there is no time like the present. Insurance companies make specific recommendations for what to include in your policy. You can review and download Benefits by Design`s downloadable pdf booklet, “Managing Cannabis in the Workplace” from the link below.
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Retirement planning is an essential component of long-term financial security, and group retirement plans play a vital role in providing this stability. For Indigenous organizations in Canada, these plans offer not only financial benefits but also support community...
Good dental health is a cornerstone of overall wellness. For employers, providing comprehensive dental coverage isn’t just about supporting physical health—it’s about fostering equity, promoting trust, and contributing to the long-term well-being of employees and...
Switching from full-time work to retirement can be a huge shift in a person’s life and can affect more than just your finances. Transitioning into retirement changes how you live, from daily activities to relationships with family and friends, and even your identity....
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. In fact, it is responsible for 30% of all total deaths in our country. It is estimated that 2 out of 5 Canadians are expected to develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes, and 1 out of 4 of those diagnosed will die from it.
With those grim figures in mind, it is no surprise that most of us are on the constant look-out for ways to protect ourselves from the disease. Perhaps the best defence, however, is quite simply to live healthy, active lives, and there’s no better place to start than your diet. Although not a magical cure for cancer, certain food items have cancer-fighting properties. Including these in your diet, coupled with regular exercise, are sure-fire ways to decrease your risk of cancer.
A predominantly plant-based diet is ideal for warding off cancer. Meals should contain at least 2/3rd plant type foods. Amongst other health benefits, this ensures a diet low in saturated fats.
Folate-rich foods
There is a correlation between levels of folate in the body and the chances of DNA mutation. Eating folate-rich foods such as cereals, oranges and spinach may decrease your risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50%.
Source foods
Cereal
Pasta
Orange
Spinach
Romaine leaves
Dried beans
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts
Tea
Teas contain antioxidants called flavonoids. Once such flavonoid called kaempferol has been shown to work well against cancer. Women in a study who increased their kaempferol intake showed a lower rate of ovarian cancer, and post-menopausal women had a decreased risk of breast cancer.
The recommended dose for this antioxidant to work well against cancer is an about 10-12 milligrams daily or approximately 4 cups of tea.
Source foods
Various types of teas
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been known to cut the risks of breast cancer by half. It works by curbing the growth of cancerous cells in the body. It is recommended that an adult should receive a minimum daily dose of 1000 IU of vitamin D.
Source foods
Sunshine
Milk
Cod
Shrimp
Chinook salmon
Eggs
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cabbage and Brussel sprouts have all been shown to help with the prevention of prostate and colon cancer. It is important to note however that studies have shown that these health benefits are activated only by chewing or cutting the vegetables.
Source foods
Kale
Turnip greens
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Curcumin
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are its essential trait for fighting cancer. Recent studies have shown that curcumin suppresses the transformation and invasion of cancer cells, by disrupting cell-signalling pathways in the body. Its benefits have been shown to be effective against bladder and gastrointestinal cancer.
1. Attracts prospective talents and helps retain current ones
Paramedical services are often described as a nice-to-have addition to employee benefits plans instead of must-haves. But more and more employees are seeing the importance of these services. Having Paramedical services in your group benefits not only will attract prospective talents to your First Nations organization but also will help retain your employees.
2. Increases employee morale and loyalty
Creating a Work-Life balance can be difficult for today`s workforce. With services like “Massage Therapy” employees can relieve tension and pain. Giving your employees access to Paramedical services can help them to lead to better health, such as to overcome stress and increase morale.
As a Plan Administrator, are you worried about the cost?
Generally, employees pay a certain portion of the cost. This amount usually reduces the longer employees stay with your Indigenous organization.
3. Costs can be controlled
Making paramedical services work for you and your employees relies on sustainability. In order to include Paramedical Services in your benefits plan, you need to manage the costs and have a budget.
Unfortunately, runaway expenses can quickly derail your plan. Managing and monitoring plan benefits usage is crucial to identifying patterns, which can be used to modify the offerings for future sustainability.
In addition, adding minor restrictions to the plan can also help mitigate bloated costs. Enforcing a per-visit or per-practitioner limit is a good idea, but can still be expensive if the plan members have large families. Many companies have adopted this option instead of a family maximum, which encourages employees to be more responsible for their usage.
Another option for cost control can be to implement a tiered-based coverage based on tenure.
Offering paramedical services to your workforce is a great way to keep them healthy and happy, but being cognizant of the accompanying costs is also extremely important. Finding a balance between employee morale and the costs is the bottom line to the successful employee benefits plan.
April 2nd is Employee Benefits Day. The day was organized by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), as a day of appreciation for those in the benefits profession. It is meant to recognize the work these individual do, to educate both employee and employers about the wide range of benefit topics and issues.
Every year the IFEBP brings focus on a particular subject, and this year they have chosen Wellness 2.0.This is the growing movement to expand employer wellness programs to encompass all areas of total well-being: body, mind, wallet, community and work. Today everyone is encouraged to examine what initiatives your organization could offer to increase your employees’ overall health
Check out the IFEBP website for some great tools to start incorporating the Wellness 2.0 movement in your workplace.
Baby boomers may see health benefits in the workplace as a privilege, but their younger counter parts on the other hand see it as a right. A recent study shows a discrepancy in the way different generations think about these employee benefits.
Despite their entitled view on the matter, Gen Y workers would prefer to get a lump sum amount each year over the typical coverage methods. And true to their modern outlook, they also want greater flexibility in their health benefit plans. They want to be able to choose what is covered based on their needs. Baby boomers, having grown up in a different time, take a very different approach to these benefits. Because they see these services as a bonus and not a given, they are more likely to take it as is.
One thing they do agree on is the importance of health screenings. Statistics shows that most of them would participate in workplace health screening if their employers offer them. It is no surprise that they worry about monitoring their health for the major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. But it is interesting to find that those numbers drop off when it comes to mental health screenings.
Employees also feel that insurance carriers should play a bigger role in keeping their workplace healthy. But since most carriers already provide a plethora of information and services, the issue may be in the awareness of these offerings.
Whether it’s to lose weight or just get healthier, we all wish we had more time to exercise. One of the biggest excuse we tell ourselves is that we are just too busy with our jobs. But imagine if your job helped you to lose weight. Well a company in Dartmouth Nova Scotia did just that. By implementing a workplace wellness program, they were able to help their entire workforce get healthier. With 19% of their employees classified as obese, Efficiency Nova Scotia took action and implemented the program by first doing an Employee Health Risk Assessment. This assessment showed not only the need for the wellness program, but also the willingness of the employees to participate.
So how did they help their employees loose weight?
They set a goal for all participants to increase their physical activities and use pedometers to track their progress. They also monitored their blood pressure, body fat and weight loss throughout the program’s duration. They also used incentives to keep the employees motivated. Those who had the highest number of steps for example would receive a gift certificate. This program aimed not only reduce the participants weight within the time frame set, but also to help them create sustainable habits for the future. Once the program was complete, the results showed that the majority of those that participated found it worthwhile, and believed they would be to maintain the healthy habits.
Would a wellness program be right for your workplace? Call us today to see how we can help.
Chronic illness affects an estimated 17 million Canadians. With conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and asthma chronic illnesses are often the result of advance age. And as Canada’s workforce begins to get older, that number will begin to rise. Although these conditions can often be managed by treatments and lifestyle changes, support in the workplace for those inflicted is sorely needed.
Monique Gignac from the Institute for Work & Health points out that chronic illness not only affects employee health, but also the company’s bottom line. For example, a worker with arthritis may cost the company an estimated $11,000 per year in lost of work hours and productivity.
To better support those with chronic illness she recommends using the three ‘Cs of Chronic Disease.’ Which are Communication, Coaching and Checking In.
Communication
Making sure that employees know exactly where to find important resources to help them deal with their health issues is critical. Employee privacy may prevent them from disclosing their conditions to managers or colleagues, so giving them the ability to act independently is important.
Coaching
Ensuring that managers are sufficiently trained to handle situations related to chronic illness will mitigate negative situations. As an example, one of the most common signs of chronic illness is sudden change in work performance. If the employee’s manager is aware of this fact, and is able to create an environment where they feel the issue can be discussed freely, they can work together to find a reasonable solution.
Checking In
Checking in with HR or their managers on a regular basis is crucial to making sure that proper accommodations are being offered. Whether it is flexibility of work hours, or an ergonomically optimized workspace, an open line of communication between all parties is a necessity.
By following these three simple rules, employers can ensure that they are providing the proper support for their ailing workers, and maintaining a happy healthy work environment for all.
More and more companies are recognizing the importance of adding paramedical services to their group benefits plans. One of the more understated of these services is therapeutic massages.
Aside from its most common treatment used for soft tissue and joint pain, massages have many other great health benefits. Massage therapy treatments can reduce stress and support your general health and wellness. It can even prevent diseases and other conditions from manifesting. In other words, the importance of regular massage therapy for most people’s health maintenance simply cannot be overstate
Below are just a few of the newly understood applications for therapeutic massages.
Depression and Anxiety
Hospice Care
Alzheimer’s Care
If you want to see how Eagle Bay Financial can help you with your Group Benefits plan, check out our benefits page by clicking here and contact our team.
We have exciting news: we’ve moved to a new office!
In our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service, we have relocated to a fresh new space that will allow us to serve you even better. Our new address is: 4180 Lougheed Hwy, #601 Burnaby, BC V5C 6A7
All other contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses, remain unchanged. You can continue to reach us just as before.
We look forward to this new chapter and hope to welcome you to our new location.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Here’s to our ongoing success together!
