pharmacyMinimum Wage and Salary Increases
Now is the time to update employee salaries

Recent changes to Ontario's minimum wage may have an effect on the coverage amounts provided to plan members under group benefit programs and the premiums that are due to the provider. 
Benefit plans providing coverage based on a plan member's earnings (such as Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short and Long Term Disability), very often result in an adjustment in coverage as a result of an increase in earnings.  
 
Any adjustments to income based coverage will also require an adjustment to the premiums due.
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HRFree HR Solutions
"Free" Can Be Costly

The word "free" when used in retail product marketing can be comical at times: an advertisement claims that when you buy three snow tires you will get the fourth free! There are also more nuanced marketing that distinguish between "free" and "absolutely free" if you buy within the next 30 minutes! Such frivolous use of the word free might work well in retail environments but can have very costly consequence when used in marketing the services and tools of a profession - like human resources (HR).
 
Let's take a deeper dive into areas where the promise of free HR can be costly.   

HRLawOntario Labour Laws
Employment Standards Poster

As our employment landscape continues to evolve, legislative changes usually follow.
Employers in turn need to ensure they are aware of such changes and their potential impact on workplace compliance and operations. Non-compliance can be costly in many ways.
As a first step, there are many resources to build awareness of the "WHAT" "WHY" and "WHEN" associated with workplace legislation.
 
Employers are required to post the most recent version (7.0) of the Employment Standards Poster published by the Minister of Labour in the workplace where it is likely to come to the attention of employees.
 

PharmacyGeneric Medications
As of 2015, 45% of all prescriptions dispensed in Canada were generic medications

There are thousands of medications marketed and sold across the globe. They are separated into two different types of drugs: brand name and generic. It may be hard to determine the differences and similarities between these two types of medication.  
 
Brand name medications are new chemical entities created and marketed by pharmaceutical companies. Brand name drugs have a patent which prevents other companies from creating their own versions of the same medications; medication patents usually expire within 10-14 years. After the patent expires, other companies can start creating copies of the brand name drugs known as generic medications.
 

PillarsPillars of the Community
Lakeshore Arts is turning 25 this year!

We're hosting our 25th Big Birthday Bash on March 24th from 7:30pm - 11:30pm at Big Rock Brewery where we will have food, tunes, games, ways to flex your inner creative and of course beer all while we celebrate the accomplishments of the last 25 years of Lakeshore Arts and all of our supporters. We will also be unveiling our new Lakeshore Arts rebrand which means there will be SWAG! Get your tickets early, space is limited and we've got a lot to celebrate!

Lakeshore Arts 25th Big Birthday Bash
Saturday March 24th, 2018 from 7:30 to 11:30pm
Location: Big Rock Brewery - 1589 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 5W9

If you would like to be recognized in this section of our newsletter or website, please forward a short article to [email protected]. Your content can include an introduction to your organization to help generate awareness; it can give a history; highlight your mandate; or even give details of an event. It's your space. We would love to help promote your organization and its initiatives!
A Christmas For Those In Need

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our donors who helped to provide a Christmas to four families in need, at Nellie's (women's shelter). Your generosity makes what we do at ASSOCIUM GAIN really come to life - helping organizations so that they can make the difference for those in need.
 
A Thank You from the Manager of Development:
"I wanted to once again thank you for dropping off the gifts on Monday. As mentioned, your sponsorship came at the perfect moment because we had several families in need of help. Wishing you, your colleagues and friends, that made an amazing difference to many women and children very Happy Holidays and a prosperous and healthy 2018." 
 
Shout Outs to: Our Tireless Staff at ASSOCIUM, Wessinger Family, Bob Joister, Anita MacDonald, Lea Family, Elizabeth DeVecchio, Don Evelyn, Anita Dumanski, Wendy Gunn, Manager at Best Buy Oakville Place and Manager at National Sports Dorval Crossing.
ASSOCIUM has a Calendar of Events, and we offer exclusive use to our ASSOCIUM GAIN members!

We welcome and encourage you to send us your event information so that we can post it for you complimentary for ASSOCIUM GAIN members. Let us help you get the word out to the public about the initiatives you'd like them to know about! We can add a link to your website for more information about your event and your organization.

This is ideal for upcoming galas, festivals, performances - any event you want to invite the public to.

ASSOCIUM Divisionsdivisions
Since 1984, ASSOCIUM Consultants continues to lead the industry in specialized human resource services, organizational development and provides HR expertise across a broad range of services.
We're unique in the marketplace providing innovative and customized Advisor services: Managing General Agent , Third Party Administrator, Claims Adjudication, Specialty Drug Management / Preferred Pharmacy Network and Human Resources Consulting.

ASSOCIUM Benefits 

Our employee group benefits division, being in business since 1997, gives us the experience to provide customized alternative plans and reduce administrative costs for our clients, while quoting sustainable rates at start up - and at renewal.  

Our procurement services division launched in 1996 as an added source of assistance to the not-for-profit sector ( GAIN). Recently this service has been expanded to include private small business under the Advantage banner. Our goal is to help your organization access preferred pricing for products and services as well as resolve any purchasing issues you may encounter.
Supporting the success of Canadian organizations since 1984.