Inside the Circle – January 13, 2026

Our current phone software contract is ending, and we are transferring to a new provider. To keep work phones functioning properly, updates must be made to all PSW phones in early 2026.

To complete the update, our IT team will call you on your personal phone, so we can walk you through the updates that need to be made to your work phone.

• Calls will take approximately 15-20 minutes

• Calls will only take place when you are not with a client (for example, after a shift or while travelling)

• An IT staff member will guide you step by step through the update

Alternatively, if you are picking up your PPE supplies at the main office, and have 15–20 minutes available, please inform the receptionist who will notify IT to assist you with the phone upgrade in person.

What we need from you

• Please keep your personal phone on and available

• Have your work phone with you when taking the call

These updates are mandatory for all PSW work phones, and our teams are here to support you. Thank you for working with us to make this process smooth and timely.

If you have any questions, please contact the IT Help Desk team by calling 647-943-1332.

This year, our policy attestations will be completed through Dayforce. The form is the same as last year, but within a course that makes it easier for you to review and accept our policies. Attestations are mandatory, and must be completed every year.

This module can be accessed using the Dayforce Learning app on a mobile device, or by using the Dayforce online platform – under “My Courses and Learning Plans” or the button below.

You will be paid 15 minutes for completing the module successfully by the due date of March, 31 2026. Pay will be issued in April.

If you are having difficulty with accessing Dayforce, call IT 647-943-1332.

Westbound Gardiner Expressway Lanes Reduced & Eastbound Lanes Narrowed

When: Westbound lanes reduced continuing into May 2026. Eastbound lanes narrowed until late 2026.

TTC/Traffic Changes: Westbound Gardiner Expressway reduced from four lanes to three between east of Park Lawn Road and Grand Avenue. Eastbound lanes narrowed (no closures) until late 2026 in the same stretch.

Please also review the latest road conditions on the Ontario 511 website, using the button below.

Please take a few minutes to complete the Global Workforce Survey. This is your chance to share your thoughts about your workplace anonymously. Your feedback helps us learn what’s going well and what we can make even better for you.

Note that the survey is anonymous (your name will not be shared). Thank you in advance for your participation!

Please complete the survey as soon as possible.

You are invited to join Your Health Space for Strengthening Psychological Health & Safety – Introduction to PH&S.

This interactive session will explore what it means to work in a psychologically healthy and safe workplace, why it matters, and how positive workplace culture supports our overall well-being. It’s a great opportunity to learn, reflect, and take part in meaningful discussions with your colleagues.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Zoom (link below, or use the button)

Please plan to join a few minutes early and come ready to participate. Handouts will be shared during the session, and to support confidentiality, the session will not be recorded.

Meeting URL:
https://cmhaontario.zoom.us/j/89812600029?pwd=UZjDYsaPp2rAtaanClvcEAt43J0x9B.1&from=addon

Meeting ID: 898 1260 0029
Passcode: 738418

CPR Training – Upcoming Sessions

700 Lawrence Ave W, Unit 440 (The Career Foundation)

Directions: East Tower entrance → elevator to 4th floor → exit right → second set of glass doors → first room on the left

• 09:00–12:00
• 13:00–16:00

Mask Fit Testing – Upcoming Sessions (Head Office)

• 11:00–11:30
• 11:40–12:10
• 12:20–12:50
• 13:00–13:30

How to Register

Text to Register for CPR/Mask Fit.

Text 647-496-5189 with:

• Full name

• Email
• Training location
• Preferred time

You can also call 905-272-9214, or book directly online through First Aid Care using the button below.

Registration closes 7 business days before the session.

Important Reminders

• Arrive 15 minutes early.
• After booking, tell your Service Coordinator if you need schedule changes.
• Choose a time when you do not have client visits.
• Your schedule will be blocked as “Unavailable” for the training.
• You will be paid after completion:
  • CPR: 3 hours
  • Mask Fit: 1 hour
• Payment appears on your paystub as “Miscellaneous.”

Sometimes, we don’t reach out to a friend or co-worker who is struggling — we may worry about saying the wrong thing, upsetting them, or feeling that we are not the right person to ask about their health.

A great place to start is asking someone a simple, “Are you okay?” Remember, you don’t need to be a therapist to show compassion and empathy to others  who may be experiencing challenges or struggles. By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member, friend or co-worker be honest and open about their feelings.

If they say they are not okay, you can use the conversation flowchart below to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are okay, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

Start by asking, “Are you okay?”

If they are not okay, ask about how they feel:

• “What’s been happening?”
• “Have you been feeling this way for a while?”
• “I’m ready to listen if you want to talk.”

If they say they are okay, but you believe they are not, be supportive:

• “It’s just that you don’t seem to be your usual self lately.”
• “I’m always here if you want to chat.”
• “Is there someone else you’d rather talk to?”

Always listen with an open mind, encourage action, offer support, and make time to check in.

Cooking after a long day isn’t always easy. Through Perkopolis, you can access exclusive discounts on Chefs Plate meal kits — a simple way to save time and money while still getting balanced meals on the table.

Right now, Perkopolis members can get up to 22 free meals when trying Chefs Plate for the first time, with additional discounts applied over your first few deliveries. You choose the plan that works for you, and meals will be delivered straight to your door.

First time with Perkopolis? Follow these steps to register:

1. Go to perkopolis.com and tap “register” at the top of your screen.
2. Enter your preferred personal email.
3. Then look for an email from them with a link to complete registration. For your member ID code, use CC + your employee ID number (for example, CC12345).

Please use the button below to sign into/register for your Perkopolis account.

We are pleased to welcome the following PSWs to Circle of Care:

• Grace Nanteza
• Jisna George
• Dorcas Olatunji
• Patcharee Bumrungpong
• Tanika Haye
• Callesia Edwards
• Jyoti Bastola
• Abiola Oluboka
• Maria Wendelyn Ancao
• Catherine Mokaleng
• Daphine Karanja
• Nellie Mataruka
• Augustina Onochie
• Komal Saini
• Emma Concepcion Oinal
• Shisham Nagarkoti
• Uyen (Stephanie) Vu

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.

What is the recognition for 35 years of service? 

The recognition for 35 years of service is a $350 bonus. Our Human Resources team will run the report quarterly, and send it to Payroll to issue the amount to those who have reached a milestone anniversary with Circle of Care.

If we are not able to reach a client’s home due to a snowstorm or safety issues, does that end up in cutting our pay?

We understand that winter weather can sometimes make travel unsafe or unpredictable. For payment purposes, visits need to be completed at the client’s home. If you are unable to reach a client due to a snowstorm or hazardous conditions, please contact the office and speak with a live agent as soon as possible. While visits that aren’t completed may affect pay, keeping everyone safe is our top priority, and we appreciate you letting us know promptly so we can make any necessary arrangements to reschedule the visits either for another day or with another PSW.

I requested vacation time on Christmas Day and my coordinator said he will not grant it, but I have worked on all the holidays this year. I feel it’s not fair.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. We understand that working holidays can be difficult, and we appreciate the commitment you’ve shown by covering stat holidays throughout the year.

Vacation requests for stat holidays must be submitted at least 10 weeks in advance and are reviewed based on a combination of seniority and client care needs. In addition, all employees are required to work a minimum of 50% of stat holidays annually to ensure continuity of care for our clients.

While we recognize that you have worked multiple holidays this year, coverage needs on specific stat holidays can vary, and approval cannot always be granted even when an employee has met their annual holiday requirement.

We value your dedication and encourage you to speak directly with your coordinator if you would like to review your holiday balance, discuss future requests, or explore options for upcoming stat holidays. Thank you again for your understanding and for the important work you do for our clients.

How do I solve my concern about my client if my coordinator does not return my call? Two times I’ve left messages that I would like to discuss something about the client but my call was ignored. 

There are many reasons as to why your coordinator may not answer your call – they may be on the phone with someone else, or handling another situation at the moment. If you leave a voicemail, they should call you back when they are available. Please note that sometimes they can handle your request without a callback.

If your Service Coordinator is not calling you back at all, please contact either Alicia Pelletier (ext.232) or Tariq Shafi (ext. 256) so that this can be investigated further.

Can the Service Coordinators please have the courtesy of giving us a call to alert us about an added client? They should be able to see that we have clocked out earlier and yet they still add a client for 2 hours later. I can’t see what time the client was added. While heading to my last client, I refreshed my phone and I found another one was added and no one called me to let me know. It’s so unfair to the worker and yet I will be the one blamed if I miss the visit.

Service Coordinators are expected to call PSWs when a visit is being added less than one hour before the scheduled time, or if a new client is added after the PSW is already at their last scheduled visit. In all other situations, when a client is added within your availability, Service Coordinators are not required to call, as it is expected that PSWs regularly check and refresh their schedule.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or have concerns about last-minute schedule changes, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to your Service Coordinator – we’re here to support you. We appreciate your flexibility and continued dedication to client care.

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.