CNLA

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The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and HortProtect hosted a lunch-and-learn webinar in January to provide CNLA members an overview of the health benefits part of the program.

Amy McDermott, national managing consultant for the HortProtect group benefits at People Corporation, explained that the health benefits side managed by People Corporation has grown nationally and evolved based on member feedback and the changing needs of the industry.

The program is unique because it provides group benefits to businesses as small as one person or a sole proprietor/owner, McDermott said, which is uncommon for health benefits carriers, and covers employees and business owners well past the traditional retirement age of 65. HortProtect’s health benefits allow for up to six months of seasonal layoff without having to re-onboard the employee.

‍Heike Stippler from Heike Designs Inc. in Whistler, B.C. shares how the health benefits she offers to her employees through HortProtect have changed over the years to meet the needs of her business.

Another uncommon aspect of HortProtect is that benefit plans can be modified throughout the year, versus the norm of many benefits carriers of only allowing a program edit on an annual basis.

McDermott highlighted several free, value-add items included with the HortProtect program, including Best Life Rewarded, Virtual Pharmacy, People Advantage Cost-Savings Programs, and Collage HR.

Cindy Danielson presented Collage HR, a Canadian-made HR and payroll software that works like a comprehensive, business-focused Facebook group. Collage HR, a Human Resources Information System, is free to all HortProtect members, and is an ideal option for a company to communicate internal updates, track time off and vacations, organize and store employee records, onboard and offboard new employees, and dramatically expedite the numerous day-to-day administrative tasks of a Canadian business.

HortProtect is the brand name of the endorsed insurance program available to all provincial association and Flowers Canada members. HortProtect involves two partners, with the health benefits side managed by People Corporation, and the business insurance side managed by Marsh Canada.