Climate change is no longer a distant concern—it directly impacts your business and your workforce. Weather events that in the past were localized and happened infrequently are now having a wider effect, more frequently and for longer periods of time than ever before.
If you run a small business, you can integrate climate-conscious benefits delivering support tools for employees to safeguard their health – which helps you safeguard your operations against climate-related disruptions.
Do you understand what health support your employees may need?
From severe storms to extreme heat to massive wildfires with far-reaching impacts on air quality, recent Canadian extreme weather events have brought new visibility to how climate change is impacting your workforce
Physical health risks
Recent intense wildfires have dramatically increased respiratory issues, especially for older workers, those with existing illness as well as those who do strenuous outdoor work activities for your business. Smoke exposure poses minor and serious health risks even for those not directly near the fire zone.
With remote work, your team may now be more dispersed across Canada than ever before and exposed to the scorching heat (and heat stroke), the physical dangers of flooding and mud slides of British Columbia to massive snowfalls in Quebec (and injuries from shovelling) to the unseasonably warm Atlantic Ocean waters leading to frequent tropical storms.
Mental health impacts
Extreme weather events compound many risk factors for mental health and psychosocial problems, and can lead to emotional distress, the development of new mental health conditions and a worsening situation for people already living with these conditions.
According to the World Health Organization’s brief on mental health and climate change, individuals may feel stress, anxiety and depression, grief and turn to alcohol and substance use – often because of resulting isolation.
How to make ‘climate change’ protection a part of your health plan
Organizations around the world are making climate change response plans a highlighted part of their employee value proposition and focus on it as part of the benefits package they offer that is vital for attracting and retaining employees.
When it comes to addressing climate-related risks, specific health insurance benefits can play a crucial role in supporting your employees.
Telemedicine Services
- Telemedicine allows employees to consult with healthcare professionals remotely. During extreme weather events or natural disasters, access to medical advice via phone or video can be invaluable.
- Employees can receive guidance on managing health conditions, accessing medications, and addressing minor health concerns without leaving their homes.
Mental Health Support
- Climate change can cause anxiety, stress, and emotional strain. Providing access to mental health resources, counseling, and employee assistance programs (EAPs) is essential.
- EAPs can offer confidential counseling, crisis intervention, and coping strategies for dealing with climate-related stressors.
Protect employees against out-of-pocket healthcare costs and deliver healthcare support
SBIS has many options for health insurance, with three outstanding plans that can support both your employees’ physical and mental health needs.
GSC PRISM plans with Access2 Benefits And BEACON
PRISM® Health and Dental Plans are exclusively developed by SBIS with Green Shield Canada (GSC) to focus on vital health insurance needs, and include the GSC on the Go® free mobile app, so employees can get access to their benefits from anywhere with features including
Legal Assistance
Quick, easy, free access to unlimited summary legal advice on the telephone, offered in partnership with Sykes Assistance Services. Receive guidance about most major types of law including family, criminal, civil litigation, landlord and tenant, residential real estate and wills and estates.
4 Free Virtual Visits with Maple Telemedicine
Online access to a Canadian-licensed doctor for medical care within minutes, 24/7. GSC individual customers receive four free visits and preferred pricing for more.
GreenShield Pharmacy
Excellent service from a dedicated pharmacy team, including clinical services – and free home delivery of your prescriptions.
BEACON
No-cost clinically proven Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help employees who feel depressed, need help fighting feelings of panic or have difficulty sleeping or suffer from post-traumatic stress.
GMS Group Advantage Health
Small employers can choose from the Group Advantage Silver, Gold, or Platinum health plans to cover health, vision, and prescription drugs, and add on dental care coverage ranging from routine and basic, to major procedures and orthodontic services. The plans cover services provided by acupuncturists, podiatrists, chiropodists, chiropractors, clinical psychologists, massage therapists, naturopaths, speech therapists and physiotherapists – many of the healthcare professionals your team needs to stay productive.
The plans also include the Employee And Family Assistance Program (EFAP) assistance plan to your employees with
Anytime access to online resources
Resources include interactive tools, health and wellness assessments, e-learning courses and a dynamic library of health, life balance and workplace articles personalized content recommendations.
Over-the-phone lifestyle coaching
Employees can receive wellness coaching and support including family care, relationship solutions, grief and loss legal advice and financial consultation.
Confidential counselling services for employees and their dependents
To help manage anxiety, depression, and grief, addictions or coping with health issues.
Manulife Health and Dental Plans
Manulife health plans start where provincial plans stop. Medical equipment and the services of many healthcare service providers are not covered by provincial health insurance plans in Canada – and that’s why Manulife plans also contain health support features. For your business, the Manulife Association Plans are fully backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee and include
Akira by TELUS Health (Virtual Health Care App)
Gives employees 24/7 access to health care practitioners online, through the app. Plus, they have easy access to lab results, prescriptions, refills and referrals.
Lifeline® Medical Alert Service
If your employee has a partner or loved one living at home who is at risk of falling, recovering after surgery, has mobility issues or special health concerns, Lifeline provides instant help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
HealthPlus
With two plan options to suit your unique needs, HealthPlus plans provide comprehensive health, drug, dental, paramedical, travel health coverage, and more – all at great rates. With all Health Plus plans your employees get the same low rate, with high coverage maximums for prescription drugs and higher maximums for healthcare practitioners with no low per-visit limits, routine and major restorative dental and come with free wellness benefits and business resources, including:
Lifeworks Employee And Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Confidential counselling and digital resources for life, work, and health challenges, plus perks to save you money.
Custom HR Advice
Your HR questions answered by a dedicated expert on contracts, employment, office policies, compensation, and more.
Pharmacogenetic Testing
A simple test to help make sure you’re taking the right medication for your unique DNA.
It’s time for a change in your health insurance strategy
At SBIS we have plans available to employees looking for supplemental health care coverage as an individual, as a family, or as a business. We can help you determine the right plan for your team’s growing needs. Go online to find out more or contact us today for a no-obligation quote. We’re available Monday to Friday, from 8:45 am to 4:45 pm Eastern time.
