Helping Employees Breathe Easier During Allergy Season

Summer brings longer days and more time outdoors, but for many employees across British Columbia, allergy season is far from over. Grass pollen peaks between May and August, bringing congestion, disturbed sleep, and reduced focus. Despite their impact, seasonal allergies are one of the most overlooked topics in workplace wellness, affecting how people feel and function at work.

University of British Columbia’s Dr. Amin Kanani, head of allergy and clinical immunology at the Department of Medicine, notes that BC has two overlapping pollen seasons: tree pollen from February to June, and grass pollen from May to August. These seasons are being prolonged due to climate change, with warmer temperatures causing earlier onset and higher peak pollen levels every year. Asthma Canada estimates that one in five Canadians lives with allergic rhinitis, yet it is one of the least addressed topics in workplace wellbeing planning.

Supporting employees during allergy season doesn’t have to be complicated. A few practical steps can make a real difference:

• Workplace Environment: Focus on physical changes in the workplace. Keep office windows closed on high-pollen days and consider using air purifiers in shared or open-plan spaces.
• Workplace Practices: Consider offering flexible work arrangements, such as adjusted start times or remote work options, when pollen levels are especially high. 
• Tools & Resources: Encourage employees to monitor local pollen forecasts through tools such as IQAir or PollenWise to help plan their day.
• Culture & Awareness: Allergies are commonly mistaken for an illness. Foster a supportive environment where employees and managers can engage in open dialogue to plan more effectively and reduce stigma.
• Employee Benefits & Support: Depending on their plan, employees may have coverage for allergy-related medications, specialist visits and other supports. Encourage employees to review their coverage by logging into Member Profile.

For information on wellness sessions or member support resources, contact HealthAndWellness@pac.bluecross.ca.

Small Adjustments, Big Impact: Your Workplace Ergonomics Checklist

Long hours at a poorly arranged workstation can lead to back and neck pain, eye strain, and repetitive strain injuries. These small daily stresses can accumulate into chronic issues. An ergonomic setup supports your body’s natural posture and reduces microtrauma. It doesn’t need to be perfect – aim to get as close to the recommendations as comfortably possible, then fine tune from there.

Quick Assessment Checklist

Chair and posture

• Hips at 90° or slightly more (avoid slumping forward)
• Lower back supported, shoulders relaxed
• Feet flat on the floor
• Knees level with or slightly below hips
• No pressure cutting into the back of the thighs

Screen setup

• Top of monitor at or slightly below eye level when sitting tall
• Screen about an arm’s length away
• No glare from windows or overhead lights

Keyboard, mouse, and frequently used items (“Windshield Wiper Zone”)

• Keyboard and mouse within reach with elbows at your sides. Sit tall, keep elbows close, and move your hands side to side like a windshield wiper – your tools should fit within that arc.
• Elbows at roughly 90°
• Wrists straight or slightly angled downward, not bent upward

Quick Fixes

• Monitor too low: Raise it with books, reams of paper, or a laptop stand until your eyes meet the top third of the screen.
• Reaching for the mouse/keyboard: Slide closer into the windshield wiper zone.
• Feet not supported: Use a footrest or books.
• Desk too high: Raise your chair to bring your arms to 90°, then use a footrest if your feet lose contact with the floor.

Working outdoors 
Position your screen perpendicular to the sun and use shade where possible. Apply the same rules: adjust seat height, raise your monitor with whatever's handy, and tilt the screen slightly downward to reduce glare.

Adjustment Order
Start by adjusting your chair height, then position your monitor to match your seated posture. Give your body a few days to adapt before making additional changes. If you adjust one part of your setup, revisit the rest to ensure everything remains aligned.

When to get professional help
If discomfort persists after a few days of adjustments, or you notice tingling, numbness, or symptoms that affect your sleep or focus, consult a healthcare or ergonomic professional. Small issues are easier to address early.

Final Reminders
Small ergonomic changes can significantly reduce strain.  Keep your keyboard and mouse close, stay aligned, and move regularly to maintain well-oxygenated joints and muscles. Even a perfect workstation cannot solve the fatigue and strain of prolonged sitting. Stand or move every 30–60 minutes; even 30 seconds of stretching, a short walk, or a standing call helps.

Contributor: Melina Kurtakis, BHK, MPT, CAFCI, Registered Physiotherapist.

Understanding the New Health Professions and Occupations Act

On April 1, 2026, British Columbia's new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA)came into effect, replacing the Health Professions Act. While many of the changes affect how health professions are regulated, there are a few updates that may be relevant when managing disability claims.

What Changed
The HPOA changes the way health professionals are regulated in BC, bringing oversight together under a new Health Professions and Occupations Regulatory Oversight Office (HPOROO). ‘Registrants’ are now known as ‘licensees’ and are regulated under standardized regulations, rather than having separate rules for each profession. Fundamental professional duties, including fitness to practice, ethical conduct, and record-keeping requirements, are for the first time codified directly in legislation.

Why It Matters for Disability Claims
Medical certificates and Attending Physician Statements (APS) used to support a disability claim must continue to be completed by a regulated health professional who is authorized to practice in British Columbia.

Under the new legislation, disciplinary actions and conduct orders involving regulated health professionals are now published on a public registry, making it easier to verify a practitioner's credentials and standing. You may also notice updated terminology on some medical documentation, with the term "licensee" replacing "registrant."

For most employees and healthcare providers, there will be little to no change in day-to-day practice. Health professionals will continue to provide care and complete medical documentation in much the same way as they did under the previous legislation.

If you have questions about how a specific practitioner type is recognized in the context of a disability claim, please reach out to our Life and Disability team at lifeanddisability@pac.bluecross.ca.

Staff spotlight

When Lowella joined Pacific Blue Cross in 2018 as a Disability Case Manager, she brought a passion for helping others, something that continues to shape her leadership journey today. She was promoted to Supervisor in 2020 and to Manager in 2022 and remains dedicated to supporting her team and helping others succeed.

Lowella is driven by developing people, improving processes, and creating a positive experience for both employees and members. She enjoys balancing day-to-day operations with opportunities to make meaningful improvements across the business.

Outside of work, Lowella enjoys life as a proud mom of two young children who keep her busy and entertained. When she's not spending time with family, you'll likely find her running local trails, practicing hot yoga, or enjoying great food. She values staying active, embracing balance, and making the most of life both at work and at home.

Reminder: Disability Benefits & Early Application

Disability benefits are important support for members, but they may not always know what’s available or when to start the process.

A timely reminder from you can make a meaningful difference. Encouraging members to apply early helps speed up the claim reviews and supports faster access to recovery and return-to-work resources.

What you can do:

• Mention disability benefits early, especially when an absence starts or is expected.
• Encourage members to begin the application process as soon as possible.
• Point members to the right information and forms to keep things moving.
• To ensure claims are completed on the most current forms, download all claim forms directly from ADMINnet instead of using saved copies.

Visit ADMINnet to access the latest disability claim forms and resources.