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Canadian Employees Considering A Career Change Due To Pandemic

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we discuss how Canadian employees consider a career change in relation to their mental well-being from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Canadian Employees Considering A Career Change Due To Pandemic

As we pass the 1 year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has Canadian employees considering a career or job change. According to Morneau Shepell Ltd’s mental-health index, almost 1 in 4 Canadian employees (24%) are considering a different occupation or job.

Employees have noted they believe their employers have handled health and safety, technology and flexible work hours well. However, with employee’s mental well-being continuing to be a key issue since the Covid-19 pandemic began, it demonstrates that maintaining the status quo is not enough for employers to retain specifically younger employees. Employees under the age of 40 are more likely to reconsider their job as compared to Canadian employees over the age of 50.

Employers Need To Prioritize Employee Communication & Well-Being

Employers need to be proactive in prioritizing communication and the well-being of employees in everything they do. 81% of Canadians say Covid-19 is negatively affecting their mental health, and of note, a significant percentage of employees are considering changing careers despite having positive opinions of how their employer handled the pandemic.

With new information constantly being released, employers must continue to check in on their employees well-being to maintain a productive and healthy workforce.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’

www.yxebenefits.ca

The Chambers Plan Dental Coverage: What a Mouthful!

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we discuss dental coverage benefits offered through The Chambers Plan at YXE Benefits Saskatoon.

The Chambers Plan Dental Coverage: What a Mouthful!

The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan offers a wide range of dental options, designed to meet a variety of budgets and employee expectations. Basic coverage includes such things as check-ups, cleanings and x-rays; while more comprehensive coverage includes services like crowns, dentures and orthodontic services. So take a few moments and make sure your dental plan is up-to-date. A regular visit to the dentist will not only help you to maintain a healthy smile, but a healthy body as well!

What is Included in Dental Coverage with The Chambers Plan?

Whether you’re looking for basic maintenance or major coverage, our Dental insurance plans can help cover the cost of dental care for your employees and their families. Payments for Dental claims are typically processed within 48 hours. Employees can also track claims, review coverage and even see when they’re next eligible for a check-up by going online and using my-benefits.

Basic Dental coverage can include:

Check-ups and complete dental exams
Fluoride, polishing and scaling
Dental x-rays, periapical films and panoramic film
Pit and fissure sealants
Minor restorations including fillings and prefab crowns
Oral surgery – removal of erupted or impacted teeth or residual roots, and associated anesthesia

Endodontic and Periodontal procedures include:

Root canal therapeutics
Gum treatment

Major Dental coverage can include:

Crowns and onlays, dentures and bridges
Denture relining and rebasing, repair of dentures or bridgework

Orthodontic Dental coverage can include:

Orthodontic exams, X-rays and casts
Braces and retainers for dependents not yet 17 years old

Take care of your employees with dental coverage through The Chamber Plan. Get a free quote from YXE Benefits today.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’

www.yxebenefits.ca

Should Your Business Hire More Remote Workers?

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest article, we talk about if your business should hire more remote workers for your company.

Should Your Business Hire More Remote Workers?

As businesses scrambled to adapt to strict new health measures, even the most stringent of change-evaders were forced to bend to forces beyond their control. Employees began working remotely, keeping in touch with clients from their at-home offices and connecting with co-workers via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

For some employers, the experience was a hard push into a trend that had already been happening long before the pandemic. And for some, the biggest and most surprising lesson they learned from the experience was that people working remotely actually works.

Of course, it doesn’t work for everyone. Businesses that require employees to be on-site because the work is physical in nature or retail shops that serve customers in-store need real people at work. But for those with employees who already do the bulk of their work digitally – and for those who discovered during the pandemic that they were still doing well without people in the office – taking a deeper look into hiring more remote workers may be worth the effort.

The Benefits of Having Remote Workers

Research undertaken by organizations such as Gallup, Harvard University, Global Workplace Analytics and Stanford University shows a number of ways employers benefit from remote workers.

On average, teleworkers are 35-40 per cent more productive than their office counterparts.
Employees working remotely are more strongly engaged than their in-office counterparts, with 41 per cent lower absenteeism.
Employers who offer the ability to work remotely have better retention of employees. 54 per cent of employees say they would change jobs for one that offered them more flexibility – like where they can work from.
Organizations save an average of $11,000 per year per part-time telecommuter.

Another benefit: hiring employees who work remotely means you can access skills that might be scarce locally. Thanks to technology, employers can literally hire employees from anywhere around the world.

How Do You Hire The Right Remote Worker For Your Business?

Pay attention to their behaviour, even before they interview.

Do they respond quickly to your emails? Do they communicate clearly, politely, respectfully? Can they spell? How they communicate with you reflects how they’ll communicate with your clients.

Make sure they’re suited to working remotely.

Just because someone wants to work from home doesn’t mean they’ll be good at it. Weed out the couch surfers from the keeners by asking if they’ve worked remotely before and if they’re set up with the equipment to complete your projects. In the interview, ask them to walk you through a typical workday.

Ensure they’re a good fit for you and your culture.

Invite some of your employees to sit in on the interview and ask their own questions, including questions that aren’t all “business” so you can get a sense of the candidate’s personality and if it fits with your work culture. And don’t forget that your current employees can be a great resource. Ask them if they have recommendations for potential hires.

Give them actual work.

For candidates who look particularly promising, give them a paid test project with a firm deadline. The assignment should involve all aspects of the job – including working with your team and with supervisors – so you can see how they work, how well they meet deadlines and how they interact with the rest of your staff.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’

www.yxebenefits.ca

Manage Your Group Benefit Program With MyBenefits

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest article, we talk about how business owners can save time managing their group benefit program with MyBenefits from the Chambers Plan.

Looking for a way to save time managing your group benefit program? MyBenefits from the Chambers Plan can help!

What is MyBenefits?

MyBenefits is a secure, online tool that you can conveniently use anywhere, anytime. It provides you, as a business owner, a quick and easy way to access your company’s coverage and premium information.

Whether you are looking to ensure a new employee is set up for benefits or calculate payroll deductions, you can use it to keep employee records current. MyBenefits allows you to add new plan participants, change their coverage, or terminate benefits of former employees.

What are the Benefits of MyBenefits?

Contact Your Advisor

If you need to contact your benefits advisor, your employee’s assistance provider or anyone else connected to the plan, it is all just a convenient click away.

Instead of call centres, talk to a real life person. At YXE Benefits, we know being able to contact the Chambers Plan to speak with someone who ensures your needs are met is crucial for busy small to medium sized business owners, as well as your employees.

Access Group Benefit Publications

With MyBenefits you have access to a variety of group benefits publications. You also have access to time saving tools and resources like an employee deduction calculator and taxable benefit report. It’s like having your own personal benefits plan assistant at your convenience!

Provide your employees easy access to their own personalized benefits and claims information and more! Give them the details and resources they need, leaving more time for you with less questions being directed towards you.

Save Paper!

MyBenefits is eco-friendly when you register online! Do away with paper mailings by registering to receive billing statements online as soon as they are ready. No need to wait for the mail to be delivered when you have everything available to you online via phone, tablet or computer.

Start saving time by administering your group plans online today. To register visit my-benefits.ca and follow the instructions.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’

www.yxebenefits.ca

YXE Benefits: What is Generic Interchangeability?

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we discuss what TELUS® Health Enhanced Generic Interchangeability is and how it benefits members of the Chambers Plan.

A partner in managing the Chamber Plan’s drug program is TELUS Health. They provide efficient processing, consistency of claims and develop polices to enhance sustainability for members.
One of these policies, which has a substantial impact by protecting the affordability of the drug plan, is the Health Enhanced Generic Interchangeability policy.

What is Generic Interchangeability?

Picture this. You and another person get prescribed the same drug. However, you are using the generic brand and they are using the brand name drug. They are a direct substitute of each other, so what is the difference?

Price. You paid less for the generic brand than they did for the brand name.

In most cases, when a generic brand is available over a brand name drug, the pharmacy is advised to substitute the generic drug.

This is Generic Interchangeability, which is a designation given to generic drugs that have been identified as a direct substitute for a brand name alternative. Not only are the same active ingredients shown in generic and brand name drugs, generic costs less.

One thing to note, is that the pharmacy is advised to substitute the generic drug and under the Chamber Plan, TELUS will reimburse the generic costs. This practice is not always followed by pharmacies, depending on the provincial drug rules. When you are prescribed a brand name drug, YXE Benefits encourages you to ask your pharmacist if a generic brand is available to cover your bases.

Most Chambers Plan Extended Health options include generic substitution for prescription drugs. What if your physician indicates there is no substitution on your prescription? Then the requested drug will be covered based on the brand name cost, as long as it is listed by TELUS.

At YXE Benefits, we encourage Plan members to speak to their healthcare providers about prescribing generic brand alternatives. This will reduce your expenses and contribute to the sustainability of their drug plan.

If you are interested in learning more about The Chamber Plan and how it could benefit you, contact us for a free quote or more information. Chambers Plan combines accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits so whether you are looking to start a benefits plan or make additions throughout the pandemic, we are here to help.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’

www.yxebenefits.ca

Changes in the Workplace That Should Stay Post Covid-19

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we discuss changes in the workplace that should stay after the Covid-19 pandemic is merely a memory.

Organizations have had to quickly adapt to the changes that have come along with the Covid-19 pandemic by managing policies and procedures daily to comply with government regulations. Through all the changes employees have endured, there are a few positive changes in the workplace that should continue including expanding wellness options, increasing communication practices and the need for absence programs.

Expanding Wellness Knowledge and Efforts

Mental and financial wellness have become more present during these uncertain times for employees. An increased awareness of the warning signs in the lives of people that are struggling with their mental health has been initiated, with virtual resources being offered from some employers. This gives employees a greater accessibility to the resources they may need, especially during the pandemic which has added stress and more attention around everyone’s personal mental wellness. At YXE Benefits we assist by providing resources for mental wellness to both employees and employers.

Employers are also aware of the financial struggles of their employees and some have included financial advisor services within their companies’ benefits program. Whether employees have been given less hours or are working from home on a limited schedule, there has been financial strain for those individuals during this time. We encourage employers to continue highlighting employee wellness within your company and offer a variety of benefits to help get you start initiating one.

In an article by Benefits Canada, they stated that 37% of employers expect to include new resources and tools for overall well-being while 19% of employers plan to increase their financial support for their employees well-being.

Heightened Communication Practices

Employers quickly increased communication practices during the Covid-19 pandemic to inform employees of how the business and their position was affected and the changes moving forward. Employees represent your brand to the community, if they don’t understand what the company is going through or are misinformed, that could cause harm to the brand’s reputation. After the pandemic is over, employers should continue communicating to their employees about what is going on in the industry and how it not only affects the company but the employees themselves.

Communicating to customers is a different approach since the focus needs to be on what is important to the customer. Companies who increase communication efforts to customers by showing empathy, being proactive and transparent shows the real value of an organization.

Regular communications via email blasts, social media or on the company’s website continue to flow leaving employees and the general public aware of company updates. Communications from the Chambers of Commerce Plan regarding the Covid-19 pandemic are available online.

Changes in the Workplace – Need for Absence Programs

One of the top recommendations to do if you feel ill during the Covid-19 pandemic is to stay home. If employees are back to work or when they return, they may feel obligated to still go into the office in fear of missing work for financial reasons. With short-term and long-term disability options among other absence programs included in an employer’s benefits plan it relieves the stress employees may feel while increasing a safer work environment and decreasing the risk of spreading the infection in the workplace.

The Covid-19 pandemic has enforced change on all of us. It is becoming more vital for companies to provide wellness resources to employees through increased communication practices as well as the ability to offer employees leave without financial strain. These few changes discussed are positive to come out of the pandemic and should be kept in mind long after the pandemic is over.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’

www.yxebenefits.ca

Medical Cannabis by Shoppers Now Available in Saskatchewan

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we share the news that the Canadian Pharmacy chain, Shoppers now offers medical cannabis on their e-commerce platform to Saskatchewan consumers.

Medical Cannabis by Shoppers

The Shoppers e-commerce platform for medical cannabis (shoppersdrugmart.ca/cannabis) allows patients to order directly from a familiar and trusted Canadian brand. It also provides counselling, strain selection and support.

On Dec 3rd Shoppers Drug Mart shared a media release to share the news.

Shoppers Drug Mart expanded its online platform for the sale of medical cannabis to include Saskatchewan. The service breaks down existing barriers for patients by providing convenient access to a broader range of options through a single source, alongside expert advice and counsel from trusted healthcare professionals.

According to Statistics Canada, over 1.1 million Canadians use cannabis for medical purposes, but more than 800,000 patients are self-medicating with recreational or illegal cannabis, without the guidance of a healthcare professional. In Saskatchewan, 8,952 patients obtain their medical cannabis through the legal system, with a decline of almost 5 per cent in the first six months of 2019. The high rate of self-medicating is concerning as a 2019 survey found that 76 per cent of medical cannabis patients wrongly believe there are no side effects from combining cannabis with other medications.

“Canadians continue to use cannabis for medical purposes but many have been left behind by traditional models. Patients need more convenient access to their medicine with professional oversight and trusted support,” said Jeff Leger, President, Shoppers Drug Mart.

“We expanded Medical Cannabis by Shoppers™ nationally to provide enhanced service to more patients so they can feel empowered to access medical cannabis by Shoppers through the medical market with the guidance of healthcare professionals.”

First launched in Ontario in January 2019 and then in Alberta in April 2019, Medical Cannabis by Shoppers™ provides patients access to a number of products from Canadian licensed producers, shipped directly and discreetly to their doorstep. Additionally, support is available for patients through the Shoppers cannabis care centre – a call center staffed by professionals who offer counselling and support for patients. Under current regulations, pharmacists cannot dispense medical cannabis from a pharmacy.

Patients in Saskatchewan can now obtain their medical document (authorization from a health care practitioner) directly from shoppersdrugmart.ca/cannabis or bring it to their local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy to help process the information. Specialized advisors from the Shoppers cannabis care centre will then contact patients, review their medical history and any contraindications with current medications, and provide support with online registration and strain selection.

Education for pharmacists is supported by the Shoppers Drug Mart Medical Advisory Board, a panel of independent medical experts from across the country who provide guidance and advice on new clinical evidence, and have developed clinical algorithms to help the Shoppers cannabis care Advisors select the correct strain based on the prescriber’s recommendation.

For patients who do not have access to a healthcare practitioner, Shoppers can connect patients to a licensed physician or nurse practitioner to assess whether a patient is an ideal candidate for medical cannabis. Shoppers can connect patients to healthcare practitioners through an online telemedicine portal or patients can use the Shoppers Clinic Finder at https://cannabis.shoppersdrugmart.ca/medical-document-info

Shoppers has signed supply and quality agreements with 12 cannabis producers to provide a wide variety cannabis brands and medical accessories with the convenience of one medical document.

Chambers Plan Disability Insurance Coverage Explained

Chambers Plan Disability Insurance Coverage

With quick claim payments, rate stability, and guaranteed renewable coverage, the Chambers Plan makes it easy for you to invest in the health and well-being of your employees. 3,000 small businesses just like yours across Canada join the Plan every year. With the help of your local advisors at YXE Benefits , the Chambers plan design a plan to fit your needs and your budget from an array of benefits and options including disability insurance.

Comprehensive Protection: Short Term & Long Term Disability Insurance

Disability insurance, whether short or long term, gives employees a financial cushion in the event they become disabled due to an injury or illness and are unable to work for a period of time. Although Health insurance will typically cover the costs of treating an injury or illness, most people will have a difficult time paying for basic necessities if they aren’t able to work.

Short Term Disability Insurance (Weekly Indemnity)

We understand that each of our clients has a different budget and unique needs. You will be able to decide how long your employees must be off work before they may begin to collect benefits, and how long they may collect benefits. For employees under age 65, Short Term Disability insurance benefits represent 66 2/3% of their gross income to a maximum of $1,200 per week.

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance

Insuring employees for the long term, LTD coverage can help provide financial security so a disabled employee can focus on recovery and returning to work. Chambers Plan LTD benefits provide employees with:

Up to $7,000 per month
Benefits for 2 or 5 years, or until age 65
Guaranteed coverage to groups with 3 or more employees (non-evidence limits vary from $1,200 to $3,000)

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

YXE Benefits Branding Video Explains Our Connection to The Chambers Plan in Saskatoon

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the Chambers group plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Greater Saskatoon Chamber Of Commerce members. In our latest post, we reveal our YXE Benefits Branding Video and how all the moving parts of YXE advisors, The Chambers Plan and the local Chamber fit together.

YXE Benefits Branding Video.

The YXE Benefits and our marketing team at Trusted Marketing Services have spent the past 6 months filming various scenes around Saskatoon and we are proud to launch our YXE Benefits branding video to Saskatoon.

We wanted to explain who we are, what we do and showcase some of our clients and the community activities that we engage in as exclusive representatives of the Chambers Plan in Saskatoon.

Thank you to Ryan Sutherland at Shoeless Joes and Garry Derenoski at Bridge Health for taking the time to share why you chose the Chambers Plan for your companies group benefits.

If you are interested in finding out more we strongly encourage you to attend a Chamber 101 event in Saskatoon. Non-members can attend this free event hosted by the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. – see the list of events and dates here: http://members.saskatoonchamber.com/events

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

Teladoc Telemedicine Service Bringing Better Care To Chamber Plan Members

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the Chambers group plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we share information about the Teladoc Telemedicine Service.

Heard of Teladoc Telemedicine Service?

While Chambers Plan continues to provide stable, comprehensive group benefits to over 30,000 Canadian firms, we are always on the lookout for opportunities to provide you and your employees with even greater value.

In a recent survey the Globe and Mail reported that 57% of Canadians reported they could not secure an appointment with their family doctor within 48 hours, and 76% of Canadians found it difficult to secure care during evenings, weekends and holidays.

Not only is this adding strain to our healthcare system, leading to exceedingly long wait times in walk-in clinics and patients progressively seeking non-urgent care in emergency rooms, but it contributes to increased absenteeism in the workplace.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Teladoc Health, the global leader in virtual care who provides convenient access to high-quality care for millions of people in more than 130 countries. The Teladoc telemedicine service helps members consult with a physician about non-urgent medical matters by video conference or by phone, from wherever they are, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When you need a doctor, call one anytime, anywhere

Up in the middle of the night with a sick child? Need a prescription refill but don’t want to spend hours in a waiting room? Living or vacationing in a remote location, making it difficult to obtain medical care? Chambers Plan, in partnership with Teladoc Health, now offers a solution.

During the visit, members can receive a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and even be prescribed medicine when necessary. Every doctor is certified by the Canadian College of Family Physicians to ensure the highest standards of quality.

And the best part is, as of September 1st, 2019, Chambers Plan now offers the Teladoc telemedicine service at no additional charge to all Plan members, and their dependents, who hold a Chambers Plan Extended Health Care benefit.

Simply download the Teladoc app from Apple or Google Play, complete the quick registration, and request a consultation either by video conference or by phone.

A DOCTOR’S CARE. ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

Archive

Canadian Employees Considering A Career Change Due To Pandemic

Canadian Employees Considering A Career Change Due To Pandemic

Employers Need To Prioritize Employee Communication & Well-Being

The Chambers Plan Dental Coverage: What a Mouthful!

The Chambers Plan Dental Coverage: What a Mouthful!

What is Included in Dental Coverage with The Chambers Plan?

Basic Dental coverage can include:

Endodontic and Periodontal procedures include:

Major Dental coverage can include:

Orthodontic Dental coverage can include:

Should Your Business Hire More Remote Workers?

Should Your Business Hire More Remote Workers?

The Benefits of Having Remote Workers

How Do You Hire The Right Remote Worker For Your Business?

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