At the BCCA Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), the summer months mark the end of our fiscal year, a time of reflection and planning for the upcoming year. This is also the time of year when we normally interact with many of you through community and charity events. Though we regret that we have had to cancel attendance at these events, we look forward to when we will be able to visit you in better times.
Unlike any other year in our lifetimes, 2020 is the year the world collectively stopped in its tracks. But it’s also the year we all came together to look after one another like never before. As we were all asked to stay at home, and businesses were forced to adapt their practices and workforces, we at the EBT also quickly shifted our teams to remote work environments. It was imperative that we do our part to curb the spread of COVID-19, but supporting you and your employees was equally as important. That’s why we immediately developed and implemented the COVID-19 Crisis Relief Plan. This financial relief plan reduced your health and dental premiums, eased administrative requirements and ramped up our communications to keep you informed of new health and wellness resources critical to the wellbeing and productivity of your employees. As we know, employees strongly value organizations with a culture of wellness. In fact, a 2020 Sanofi Canada survey found that 90% of respondents working for an organization with a culture of wellness were satisfied with their job, as opposed to 61% of those who didn’t have a wellness culture. Similarly, employees of organizations with a wellness culture also overwhelmingly perceived the quality of their healthcare benefits as excellent/good (74%) as opposed to those without (only 48%).
Stress continues to be the major contributor to mental health challenges with 39% suggesting personal finances as the culprit and 32% attributing it to a lack of balance in work and life responsibilities. We know COVID-19 has had a significant impact on both of these facets, so we will continue to support you and your team by sharing information on a variety of health topics such as financial counselling services, virtual care, mental health resources, and our upcoming 4th annual Flu Shot Clinics. When asked, immunizations are reported as one of the most valued healthcare services of benefit plans. Encouraging employees to immunize themselves against the seasonal flu is yet another way to influence the wellness culture of your organization. This year, as we continue to focus on the health of our members, we would like to extend the invitation to their families as well.
As this crisis evolves, business priorities will change, but our priority – you, your employees, and their families – will not. While our office is open, the majority of our team continues to work from home and is fully equipped to assist you with your benefits needs. Feel free to contact your Client Services or Consulting teams for any assistance.
We have a ways to go yet, but I know we’ll get there. Stay safe.
Arthur Chung, Chief Executive Officer
BCCA Employee Benefit Trust
