News and Opinion for HR, Talent and Leaders
For years, employee benefits followed a familiar formula. Health coverage, pensions, perhaps an employee assistance programme, and a handful of additional perks. The assumption was that one benefits package could broadly meet the needs of most employees. That assumption no longer holds. In a recent conversation with Chris Locke, Executive Director for Work + Family […]
Workplace bullying is one of those organisational risks leaders hope they’ll never face — yet the reality is far less reassuring. The data suggests it’s not a rare occurrence or an edge case. It’s a recurring issue, quietly shaping culture, performance, and retention across organisations. In HRchat episode 893, I spoke with Mary Cullen, Founder […]
By Neil Ryland, Chief Revenue Officer, Benifex How Employee Benefits Impact Retention, Engagement and Productivity Employee benefits have moved from the margins to the mainstream. Once seen as a supporting act to pay, they’re now a defining feature of how people choose employers, how engaged they feel at work and whether they decide to stay. […]
Why Mental Fitness Belongs on the Work Calendar Most organisations agree that mental health matters. Far fewer have figured out how to turn that belief into consistent action. In my recent HRchat Podcast conversation with Ryan Komori, Founder and CEO of Savor Lining, we explored a practical answer to that challenge: treat mental fitness like […]
We launched the HRchat Podcast nine years ago. Since then we’ve published over 830 episodes plus a bunch of extras. I honestly cannot think of many episodes I’ve been involved with that have left a bigger impact on me than today’s edition. In HRchat episode 834, I talk with Carrie Bates, a three-time Olympic gold […]
The boundary between professional and personal life has never been more blurred. As Dr. Alexander Lovell, Research Director at the O.C. Tanner Institute, reveals in HRchat episode 821, employees worldwide are increasingly operating in “survival mode” rather than thriving at work, and the consequences extend far beyond productivity metrics. Alex introduces guest host Dr. Bill Howatt us to the […]
The importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace When you picture a workplace, what comes to mind? Deadlines, meetings, emails, maybe a quick coffee break? While these are all integral parts of the workday, one crucial factor often gets overlooked: employee health and wellbeing. Aleks Szymanski, President, Scrypt, Inc., the company behind Workarma, explains […]
In episode 795 of the HRchat show, we delve into the urgent need for organizations to reevaluate their employee health benefit offerings. Lindsey Gage-Cole, Chief Transformation Officer at GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions, joins me to discuss the significant disconnect between employee expectations and actual employer actions when it comes to wellness support. A staggering 90% of Canadians […]
In episode 788 of the HRchat show, I sit down with Dr. Bill Howatt, an expert in workplace mental health and capacity building. Bill and I discuss the new Crisis Ready program, an initiative designed to equip leaders and employees with practical tools to navigate workplace crises effectively. Hear firsthand how this program aims to […]
The End of Federal Diversity Training: Implications for HR Leaders In a significant move that has sent ripples through the HR and DEI communities, President Trump issued an executive order that mandates the immediate suspension of all federal DEI staff, with plans to dismantle these offices altogether. This order comes with sweeping implications for workplace equity, […]