By Canoe Benefits
As summer approaches, many employees find themselves juggling a little more than usual. Kids are home from school, routines shift, and the pace at work can feel both lighter and busier at the same time. For teams who keep things running all year long, summer is a reminder to pause, recharge, and make the most of the season.
This is also a great time to take another look at what your group benefits offer. From support for family well-being to vacation planning and personal health, many summer needs can be supported by tools already built into your health benefits.
Keeping Kids Engaged While School’s Out
When school wraps up for the year, it often leaves working parents scrambling to fill long summer days. Camps, childcare, and structured activities can help, but finding the right fit both financially and logistically takes planning.
While your group benefits might not cover summer programs directly, the employee assistance program (EAP) included in many plans often offers resources that can help. This may include:
- Parenting support and consultation
- Referrals for camps, tutors, and community programming
- Resources for managing schedules and routines
It’s also worth remembering that EAPs extend beyond the employee. In many cases, spouses and children can use these services too, giving families more flexibility to access the support they need throughout the summer.
Not sure what your EAP covers? Reach out to your Canoe advisor for a quick overview.
Travel Insurance Reminders
For those lucky enough to take some time away this summer, travel insurance is one of the most valuable parts of a well-rounded benefits plan.
Whether you’re heading out of province or visiting family abroad, it’s a good idea to double-check what your plan includes before you go. Travel coverage under group benefits often includes:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays
- Prescription replacement
- Support for trip interruption or early return
Many plans also offer coordination of care while you’re away, so you can focus on rest instead of worrying about logistics. If you’re unsure about your travel coverage, your Canoe advisor can walk you through what’s included and what to keep in mind before you leave.
Supporting Mental Health During Seasonal Transitions
Summer isn’t always relaxing for everyone. For some employees, the change in routine, increased family demands, or financial pressure from summer activities can add stress.
This is where your health benefits can make a big difference. Employee assistance programs are designed to be confidential, easy to access, and available whenever someone needs a bit of extra support. Services may include:
- Counselling sessions
- Budgeting or financial planning help
- Support for relationship or family concerns
- Online wellness libraries and guided self-care tools
Encouraging your team to use these services when they need them, whether for themselves or their families, helps normalize support-seeking and reduces stigma. A quick reminder in your internal portal or newsletter might be all it takes to prompt someone to reach out.
If your team could benefit from a refresher on how the EAP works, we can provide education sessions, posters, or shareable resources to make it easy.
Time Outdoors Is Time Well Spent
Another simple way to support well-being in the summer is to encourage people to get outside. Research consistently shows that time spent in nature supports both physical and mental health. Even short outdoor breaks during the day can help improve focus, mood, and overall energy.
You might consider:
- Encouraging walking meetings or outdoor breaks
- Highlighting local trails or community events
- Sharing health benefits that support outdoor wellness, like physiotherapy or fitness allowances
A Season to Reconnect with Health Goals
Summer often brings a natural shift in routines. That can be a helpful reset point for employees looking to revisit health goals. This is a good time to share reminders about what’s included in your group benefits, such as:
- Annual health checkups
- Vision and dental coverage
- Mental health supports
- Preventative care resources
Encouraging employees to use their health benefits during quieter summer months can help reduce scheduling stress in the fall and make it easier for them to stay on track with care.
Want to make your communications clearer? Ask your Canoe advisor for ready-to-share resources that explain how your benefits work.
Helping Employees Use What’s Available
Your group benefits plan is more than just a list of coverages. When employees understand and use the full range of support available, it helps them take care of themselves and their families with more confidence.
As summer unfolds, consider sharing a simple reminder about travel insurance, EAP resources, or any seasonal changes in coverage. If your team would benefit from a quick refresher, we are happy to offer education sessions or internal tools to make your health benefits easier to navigate.
