Crisis Support + Resources

Last Updated April 15, 2020

The current crisis that COVID-19 and struggling oil prices has created is impacting you and your employees.  To say the least.  Our entire team is fully ready to help right now.  We have advice, energy, resources and solutions specific to today’s environment to benefit you.

Over the last many weeks, considerable information and resources from governments, health authorities, insurance companies and service providers have been and continue to be produced and shared.  All intending to be helpful, however at times overwhelming.  As a result, we have consolidated items and ideas right here in order to simplify and expedite your access to them.  We will be striving to keep this as current and relevant as possible.

We care, want to help and are ready to go.

Sincerely,
john goode signature
Partner

Our businesshealth Newsletter

Insights, key learnings and ideas applicable to today’s issues.

A New Reality After COVID-19: Fostering Trust And Putting Employees First Click Here
Looking to China for Lessons Learned and Reasons for Optimism Click Here
Home Office Blues Click Here
On the Cutting Edge Click Here
Here Comes the Sun Click Here

Plan Design Changes + Advice

Depending on how the current environment is impacting your organization, changes to the design of your employee benefit and/or retirement plan could be considered.  We can advise on your options along with ensuring the pros and cons of each are addressed.

Potential changes include

  • Reduction of benefits (eg %’s or annual maximums)
  • Suspension of certain benefits (eg dental benefit)
  • Change to funding arrangements (eg insured non-refund or administration services only)
  • Reduction or suspension of employer contributions to retirement plan
  • Addition of new benefits or related services (high value, minimal investment and expedited implementation)

We have a lot to share in this regard, so please reach out to our team to discuss.

Virtual Healthcare

Access to health professionals remains critically important, however now more difficult to obtain.  As a result, we are assisting many employers with implementing virtual healthcare solutions that give their employees (and their dependents) access to Canadian healthcare professionals via their smartphone or computer.  They can chat with a nurse for any healthcare questions and/or see a physician via secure video conference if needed.

Here are some links from one of our preferred providers to help you learn more in the event virtual healthcare is new to you

  • Short video from Dialogue introducing virtual healthcare at https://www.youtube.com/embed/NIwDUOP8MNs
  • Automated medical assistant created by Dialogue to address COVID-19 related questions and access the latest information from your local health authorities is now available to all Canadians at no cost at  Chloe for COVID-19

We have several established and preferred relationships with Canada’s leading virtual healthcare providers and can expand on them if helpful to you at this time.

Pharmacy Delivery Services

Accessing traditional pharmacies in person to consult with a pharmacist or pick-up prescriptions is not as easy, comfortable or safe as in the past.  A credible alternative are full-service pharmacies with low dispensing fees who fill prescriptions over the phone and have them delivered to your home overnight by leading couriers at no additional cost.  Accessible, convenient and safe.

One of our preferred providers is Alliance Pharmacy and we would be pleased to introduce them to you.

Here are helpful links to allow to learn more now

Mental + Emotional Health

The extensive supports and resources within a robust employee assistance plan (EAP) are of significant value to today’s employers and their employees.  Likely now more than ever.

Some of the leading EAP providers that we have preferred relationships with and can expand on with you include

Along with EAP offerings, Canada Life (previously known as Great-West Life) continues to provide all Canadian employers with free and open access to tools and resources from their Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace.  Specifically, a dedicated site named Workplace Strategies for Mental Health for employers that we are well-versed with and available to help you navigate through.

To access

Another valuable and free tool is Beacon Modern Mind Health’s digital program to support mental well-being through the COVID-19 crisis, which is sponsored by Manulife Financial and Green Shield Canada and endorsed by other leading insurance companies.

It is worth understanding and available at

The issues and areas of concern that fall within this mental and emotional health category are vast.  Fortunately, the resources needed to address them are available.  If there is a specific topic you need help with, please let us know and we’ll take it on with you.

Financial Support + Assistance

Like you, we are actively monitoring the various Provincial and Federal government initiatives being introduced and how they could potentially benefit our clients.

The Government of Canada (GOC) sites that we recommend following at this time are

Though not a financial institution in any way, employee assistance plan (EAP) provider HumanaCare just produced a concise, comprehensive and fluid document that you may find helpful

If you have employees experiencing financial stress or need some financial tips and resources, the Credit Counselling Society is offering free, confidential and non-judgmental credit counselling with one of their certified credit counsellors until June 30, 2020.

This independent and credible resource can be reached at

HR Solutions, Advice + Knowledge

If you are forced to consider and/or make tough decisions regarding your employees, we can help

  • Sounding board for ideas and best practices
  • Connecting you with credible HR professionals (minimal to potentially no cost)
  • Understanding legislative requirements during temporary layoffs
  • Understanding insurance company options for temporary layoffs
  • Coordinating your decisions with temporary layoffs
  • Transitioning terminations to personal plans
  • Assisting with the establishment or fine-tuning of HR policies (eg remote work policy)

We have a well-established partnership with a national HR services firm.  We work with them to support you, and if needed, can connect you directly with them.