Seventy-seven percent of Canadians feel all employees are entitled to receive a health benefits plan sponsored by their employer, according to the most recent Sun Life Canadian Health Index. Forty-nine percent strongly agree and 27 percent somewhat agree with this statement.
“Workplace health benefits play an essential part in our health care system because they help Canadians pay for medical expenses that aren't typically covered by their provincial plan, covering nearly $30 billion per year in health care expenditures,” said Brigitte Parent, senior vice president of group benefits for Sun Life Financial Canada. “Canadians and their families have come to depend on these health benefits as they provide tremendous support towards their physical, mental, and financial well-being.”
According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, 24 million Canadians have supplemental health insurance through their employer or their spouse/partner's employer.
When it comes to employer health benefits, a little more than half of working Canadians recognize the health and wellness support their employers are providing them. The survey found that:
- 64 percent said their employer supports their physical health;
- 58 percent said the same about their mental health; and
- 26 percent said their employer offers programs or initiatives that promote health and wellness.
“Although employees are at different stages of their life, what they want, need, and value from a group benefits plan is in many cases quite similar,” explained Ms. Parent. “With growing diversity in the workplace and increasing expectations of personalization, flexibility and customization are key to ensuring employees are getting what they want and need from their benefits package.”
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].