Benefits FYI: Summer 2026” featuring a sunlit view of the UBC Vancouver campus, with the clock tower, surrounding academic buildings, and green landscaping in the foreground. The UBC logo appears in the upper-right corner, and the title “Benefits FYI: Summer 2026” is displayed in large white text across the lower portion of the image.

Welcome to Benefits FYI. In this edition:
Close-up of a person using a handheld blood glucose meter at a wooden table. One hand holds the device while the other places a test strip into the meter. A pen lies on the table nearby. The image focuses on blood sugar monitoring and diabetes self-management.

Supporting diabetes management through your benefits 

UBC provides a range of resources to help manage chronic diseases, such as supporting those living with diabetes. Access to the right information, tools and support can help faculty, staff, and their dependents take on these challenges. Whether you are newly diagnosed, managing an existing condition or supporting a family member, you have access to a range of helpful resources through our benefits plans.

Connect with diabetes resources and guidance

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Sun Life portal update: easier access to information, claims, and integrated health services

Sun Life has updated its member portal and mobile app to make it easier to access coverage information, submit claims, review claim history, and connect with health and wellbeing resources. These enhancements bring benefits information and health services together in one place, helping you manage your plan more efficiently.

Explore the updated Sun Life members' portal

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Collective bargaining update and your benefits 

The Benefits team has been receiving many questions about the newly ratified agreements from the latest round of bargaining. We know these changes are important to you and your dependents.

Please note that changes from the latest bargaining updates will be available on the UBC Collective Bargaining page, and detailed changes to your benefits will be posted on the Collective Agreements page as they become available.

We look forward to sharing details for the upcoming benefits changes as they are implemented in Workday and with our benefits plan providers. Please keep an eye out for future editions of Benefits FYI for more information.

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Several people collaborate in a bright office or learning environment. In the foreground, one person sits at a desk working on a computer while another person stands beside them, leaning over to review information on the screen.

Helpful reminders to manage your benefits in Workday

Make the most of your UBC benefits by keeping your Workday information up to date. Learn key reminders about checking tasks and notifications, maintaining dependent coverage, reviewing beneficiary designations, and updating personal information to help ensure uninterrupted benefits coverage for you and your eligible dependents.

Stay on top of your benefits

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Job-protected medical leave for serious illness or injury

As of December 2025, amendments to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) provide workers with up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period due to serious illness or injury.

When a worker is on medical leave, please ensure appropriate medical documentation and follow the appropriate administrative steps in Workday.

Learn about job-protected medical leave

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Two people sit facing each other on a park bench in a garden with blooming roses. A stone wall stands in the background, and soft sunlight creates a warm, slightly blurred foreground effect around the edges of the image. One person gestures while speaking, and the other sits turned toward the conversation.

Planning for retirement? Keep your benefits coverage and your peace of mind

If you’re a UBC faculty or staff member aged 55+ and getting ready to retire or leave, the Retirement & Survivor Benefits (RSB) program offers a simple way to stay covered. You can enrol in extended health, dental, and EFAP—choosing one, two or all three plans to suit your needs. Enrolment must be within 31 days from the date your active benefits terminate.

There’s no health statement required, and pre‑existing conditions won’t prevent you from joining the extended health plan. Plus, RSB can work alongside a spouse’s benefits plan when double coverage is allowed.

It’s a one‑time opportunity to carry trusted coverage into retirement, with flexibility, support and peace of mind built in.

Learn more about the Retirement & Survivor Benefits plan

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Four people sit around a table in a meeting room, with open laptops and notebooks, engaged in a discussion. Large windows and a whiteboard with writing are visible in the background.

Explore your vacation and leave options in the semi-annual benefits webinar recording 

Learn how leaves of absence can affect your benefits at UBC. This 75-minute recorded webinar explains leave options, benefit coverage, EFAP supports, enrolment considerations and where to get assistance.

Learn about your vacation and leave coverage

When we focus on wellbeing, everyone benefits

Your benefits plan is one way UBC can help support your health and wellbeing, but there are more opportunities to explore—here are some other initiatives to help support your wellbeing at UBC.
A wide view of a historic stone building with a central arched entrance and symmetrical windows. Broad steps lead up to the doorway, with several people walking or sitting on the steps. Modern glass buildings flank the older structure under a clear blue sky.

UBC achieves Platinum Certification for workplace wellbeing

UBC has received Platinum Certification from Excellence Canada for the Healthy Workplace® Standard and Mental Health at Work® Framework, recognizing sustained progress in embedding psychological health and safety and wellbeing across the university.

The assessment highlighted system-wide collaboration, strong leadership support, and meaningful faculty- and unit-level implementation. Thank you to everyone who continues to advance this work across our community.

Read about UBC's Platinum achievement in workplace mental health

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Want more health and wellbeing stories?

Have you signed up for Healthy UBC? In this monthly newsletter, you will get a selection of our best health and wellbeing stories and events from across UBC.

Subscribe to Healthy UBC

Updates to our faculty and staff perks

View the latest offers available to faculty and staff on the UBC Exclusive Discount and Perks page. 
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UBC Rec facilities are calling: extra savings when you use your Personal Spending Account 

For those looking for even more ways to move this summer, UBC Rec Vancouver is offering Faculty and Staff a 4-month fitness membership with $30 savings ($189 vs. $220 regular price).

  • Access to the ARC & Rec North Fitness Centres.
  • Over 25 weekly classes for group fitness, spin cycle, yoga, and pilates.
  • BirdCoop Bouldering Cave

Take a look at this UBC Rec offer for faculty and staff

If you are eligible for the Personal Spending Account, you can consider using your allocation to help pay for a discounted fitness membership.

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Free group fitness classes with UBCO Recreation

The UBCO Rec team offer a wide range of fitness classes in the lower level of the Hangar Fitness Centre on the UBC Okanagan campus: 

  • Tuesdays at 8:15-8:45 am | Free Spin Class 
  • Wednesdays at 12:15-12:45 pm | Free Spin Class 
  • Wednesdays at 5:30-6:30 pm | Free Bums and Tums (Strength Class)

Don't forget, you will need to check-in and waivers must be signed.

Find your free group fitness class

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Explore your benefits

Health, Wellbeing and Benefits
UBC Human Resources
600 - 6190 Agronomy Road
Vancouver, BC Canada, V6T 1Z3

hr.ubc.ca/benefits

You are receiving this email because you are enrolled in one or more UBC Benefits plans. To update your Primary email address, where you receive communications from UBC Benefits, please review the Change My Contact Information article or submit a support request through the UBC Self-Service Portal.

© Copyright The University of British Columbia

Disclaimer: The information contained in Benefits FYI is for information purposes only; it is not a contract. In the event of a discrepancy between the information in Benefits FYI and the applicable contracts/documents, the applicable plan contracts/documents, collective agreements and/or governing legislation will apply. Unless otherwise specified in the newsletter, you must be registered and enrolled in the appropriate benefit plans to receive the coverage and/or services as described. Enrolment in some of the benefit plans is not automatic. For more information on benefits, visit hr.ubc.ca/benefits.
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