Overview
As a global leader in healthcare, we are often highlighted in national and international news and are routinely featured as experts-in-the-field in Canada.
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Current News
Canadians in crisis: The compelling case for more mental health benefits
The Globe and Mail
June 26, 2024
Dr. Seema Parmar and Dr. Andrew Morgan shine the spotlight on mental health benefits. With depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues impacting more than one in four Canadian adults, companies play a vital role in access to care. In response, more and more organizations are deciding to raise benefits substantially, and in the case of Bell Canada, they offer unlimited mental health benefits. This allows employees the time and flexibility to get the help they need while reducing the impact on overall business.
To help attract talent and decrease burnout, here are five steps to successful sabbaticals
The Globe and Mail
June 19, 2024
Sabbaticals, a long-standing practice in academia, are now gaining traction in the private sector, with approximately 40% of companies offering them. These breaks, sanctioned by the company, can be a powerful tool for retaining top-tier leaders, benefiting both the individual and the organization. In this article, Dr. Seema Parmar shares tactical tips for organizations that want to implement this type of program and ways to support those who take a sabbatical and those who support the workload left behind.
Workaholic executives short-change their teams, their families and themselves
The Globe and Mail
June 12, 2024
Leaders who worked long hours often wear their “workaholic” nature as a badge of honour. As we learn more about the impact of this behaviour on the organization as well as on the individual and their families, we can see that this may not be the best route to success. Dr. Seema Parmar, director, and Dr. Andrew Morgan, a psychiatrist, both with our Advisory Services team, share their insights with organizations on how to identify a workaholic, prevent burnout, and use strategies that will inevitably help create a better work-life balance for executives.
We’ve got great benefits. Why don’t our employees use them?
The Globe and Mail
June 5, 2024
We’ve told employers that they need to invest in health and wellness programs for their employees - so why aren’t benefits being used? What we know from employees is that it comes down to understanding, valuing, and trusting what’s being offered. In this article, Dr. Seema Parmar provides innovative solutions like creating ‘personas’ to create group journeys and identify benefit gaps, regular and consistent messaging, and peer support to help each other better understand and access needed benefits.
Why ‘people risk’ is jumping to the top of the corporate agenda
Financial Post
June 4, 2024
Recently, we worked with the Global Risk Institute to conduct a cross-industry survey of Chief Risk Officers (CROs), which confirmed that ‘people risk’ is rapidly growing post-pandemic. The good news is that when companies invest in mental and physical health, wellness, and safety, they can reduce the risk of their “greatest asset” walking out the door. Dr. Talia Varley partnered with risk experts Daniel Moore and Bruce B. Simpson to explore this emerging trend and offer advice to mitigate against a negative impact to the bottom line.
How companies can help women manage debilitating menopause symptoms at work
Financial Post
April 3, 2024
Feeling isolated and alone is a familiar feeling among women in the workplace who are experiencing symptoms of menopause. Women over 40 comprise one-quarter of the workforce, meaning it makes good business sense for employers to consider ways to help their employees through menopause. The alternative could be more costly. Dr. Talia Varley was asked about what support could look like to create more menopause-inclusive workplaces.
Helping gen z to learn to fail – well
Forbes
February 25, 2024
With a generation that is stressed and facing tremendous emotional health challenges, we shouldn’t be surprised that they have an aversion to negative events, including failure. As Gen Z enters the workforce, their increase in mental health benefits claims indicates that business leaders need to help their younger employees gain critical strategies to deal with workplace stress and inevitable failures. Read what Dr. Talia Varley and the research say about specific causes of stress for Gen Z, and ways employers and employees can help create an environment of failing well.
Success Leaves Clues: Ep 169 with guest Mike Kessel, President & CEO of Cleveland Clinic Canada
Success Leaves Clues Podcast
January 10, 2024
Data says that 75% of health is determined by lifestyle and 25% by genetics, which reinforces why adopting healthy behaviours now is critical to our long-term health. Mike Kessel, Cleveland Clinic Canada’s President & CEO, shares his unique approach to taking care of himself in this recent episode of “Success Leaves Clues”. Host Robin Bailey shares his own experience at the clinic and explains how Mike’s style of leadership for employees translates into a better experience for patients.
Using data to improve employee health and wellness
Harvard Business Review
November 10, 2023
In a recent article in Harvard Business Review, John Glaser and Dr. Talia Varley, make the case for tracking, measuring, and collecting workforce health and wellness data. It is now possible to systematically assess your employees’ well-being and assess the effectiveness of your programs to address their needs. This article offers a four-part framework for doing that.
‘We could have lost half our workforce’: How Purolator curbed employee attrition
Canadian Business
July 7, 2023
Employee turnover is an expensive business. It costs Canadian employers over $40,000 to rehire and retrain a new employee. That’s why forward-thinking companies are putting their employees’ health first. If you’re looking for creative ways to boost employee health, productivity, and retention read this feature with Cleveland Clinic Canada Medical Director for Purolator Shaan Chugh in Canadian Business.
Canadian companies need to embrace — and learn from — difficult conversations
Financial Post
June 18, 2023
Dr. Seema Parmar discusses helping Canadian companies embrace – and learn from – difficult discussions. These types of discussions aren't easy and lead in unintended directions. And, unfortunately, fear and discomfort mean that it's sometimes easier to just stop talking or keep conversations more superficial or in the 'safe' area, which isn't helpful either.
News Archive
Remote work likely affecting our ability to learn, focus and innovate, studies show
The Globe and Mail
May 26, 2023
Hybrid and remote work structures continue to remain a popular offering at workplaces across Canada. While remote work can be beneficial for companies and employees alike, it’s crucial to establish supports to maintain team engagement and preserve employees’ cognitive health. Our Dr. Talia Varley shares her strategies for how companies can put these supports in place to foster a cognitively healthy hybrid workforce.
Women are drinking more, but alcohol addiction is still a taboo subject in the workplace
The Globe and Mail
March 28, 2023
Drinking among women has increased steadily in the past decade, yet alcohol misuse or dependency is an issue that is not commonly discussed in the workplace. Dr. Talia Varley spoke with the Globe and Mail to share her insights on the subject, and why it’s crucial for organizations to ensure that there’s a thoughtful review of workplace policies surrounding mental health and substance use.
Financial Post
March 8, 2023
Despite major advances in female leadership at companies, corporate Canada is still seeing a large exodus of woman leaders. Our Dr. Talia Varley, Physician Lead of Advisory Services, explains how this trend is strongly linked to a lack of proper menopause support, and what companies can do to help.
Dr. Talia Varley - Your path to possibility and positivity
Chatter that Matters
February 10, 2023
Dr. Talia Varley, our Physician Lead for Advisory Services, joined Tony Chapman on Chatter That Matters. She talks about the type of leadership we need across our society and the role today’s leaders must play to inspire significant and lasting change.
Opinion: It’s 2023 — it’s time to stop the abuse of our front-line workers
Calgary Herald
January 13, 2023
Our frontline workers have borne the brunt of people’s frustrations over the past few years. Dr. Seema Parmar, Director of Health Intelligence & Insights with our Advisory Services team, is seeing more companies seeking help to support and retain frontline staff who are suffering, going on disability leave or quitting altogether. And she reminds us all that a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
A prescription for change: Supporting remote workers in an age of healthcare shortages
Canadian Mining Magazine
Winter 2023
Companies with a large remote workforce have engaged us as their Medical Director to help introduce supports for areas such as psychological safety, resilience training, and stress awareness. Dr. Jeff Alfonsi, a Physician with our Advisory Services team, shares his insights on the topic as well as strategies for creating a successful health and wellness culture at your organization.
Ultra-processed fast food & dementia were linked in a new study & here's what you should know
Narcity
Dec 17, 2022
Devon Peart, a Registered Dietitian at Cleveland Clinic Canada, delves deeper into a new study which links ultra-processed foods to an increased risk of developing dementia.
How companies can partner with nonprofits
Harvard Business Review
November 25, 2022
Dr. Talia Varley teamed up with Bruce Simpson, a senior advisor on ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) at McKinsey & Company, to share insights on the growing trend of businesses joining forces with non-profits and NGOS.
The decline of civility, the rise of microtraumas and the toll on frontline staff
The Globe and Mail
October 26, 2022
While the healthcare industry is typically equipped to deal with the microtraumas that often accompany frontline roles, many other industries are finding themselves ill prepared. Our Advisory Services leads Dr. Varley and Dr. Parmar outline what employers can do to support their frontline staff.
How to identify struggling remote workers, and create a win-win for their return to office
The Globe and Mail
October 19, 2022
As we emerge from the pandemic, companies are facing the challenge of how to structure their work environments. Our Drs. Talia Varley and Seema Parmar highlight the benefits that come with in-office work, and share how companies can plan for a successful transition.
How do leaders lead when they are the ones who need help?
The Globe and Mail
October 12, 2022
Signs of distress in senior executives are not always recognized. So how can you ensure that your organization’s executives are receiving the support that they need? Our Dr. Talia Varley, the Physician Lead for Advisory Services, shares her expertise on the topic.
When it comes to how firms spend money, an ounce of wellness far exceeds a pound of cure
The Globe and Mail
October 5, 2022
The importance of a robust and versatile employee wellness offering has never been clearer than it is today. In this column for the Globe & Mail, Dr. Talia Varley, Physician Lead for Advisory Services at Cleveland Clinic Canada, shares her insights on the ever-evolving industry.
Sounding board: A look at the future of workplace wellness
Benefits Magazine
June 29, 2022
This piece in Benefits Magazine explores the changes in employee expectations and highlights how we at Cleveland Clinic Canada are working with organizations to strengthen their wellness and benefit offerings.
