Inside the Circle – June 21, 2022

Circle of Care has added new dates for Mask Fit Testing and CPR sessions. We would ask you to register for an upcoming session if your current certificate/mask fit is expired.

Important reminders – please read:
• Please arrive at the training session 15 minutes before the class begins.
• Gloves and surgical mask will be required for the duration of the class.
• After you have booked your appointment, please speak to your Service Coordinator if you need any scheduling arrangements and have clients that you will need to be booked off from to attend the CPR training/mask fit testing. Please try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled.
• Your schedule will be blocked as ‘unavailable’ for you to attend the session. You do not need to use your phone to sign into the training.
• You will be paid a total of 4 hours for the training (CPR) or 1 hour (mask fit) – this will be added to your schedule 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed and you will receive payment. The code will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’.
• You may not be able to access the login link via the PSW mobile phones, and you may need to access the link using your personal phone or computer.
• All bookings/cancellations must be managed through the online portal. You will receive a confirmation email/text notification and will also receive a session reminder.

If you haven’t already done so, please complete the survey by July 1st. We want to hear from you in order to evaluate our DEI initiatives and understand how we can make improvements going forward.

If you’re having difficulty accessing your paystubs through Dayforce, use the job aid below to assist you through the process.

When travelling on the public transit, assaults & harassment can happen even in the presence of other commuters. Find some tips below on how to keep yourself safe.

Last week, Circle of Care highlighted a new policy of ours: the Right to Disconnect Policy. This policy was developed in response to the Employment Standard Act (ESA) update.

Below are a few key highlights on the right to disconnect:

• You have the right to disconnect from your job and any work-related tasks or communication outside of working hours without fear of punishment. You will not be penalized for not communicating or continuing to work outside of your regular working hours.
• You are encouraged to set clear boundaries between work and your personal life and should take and use all of your scheduled time off for non-work related activities.
• You must also be respectful of others’ right to disconnect and should not expect your co-workers to respond, communicate, or complete work during their non-work hours.

Please keep in mind that situations can arise where it is not possible to deal with matters during normal working hours. There may be legitimate situations when it is necessary to contact you outside of your normal working hours to meet the needs of the business. We encourage you to read through the entire policy to get a deeper understanding of the highlighted concepts and how the right to disconnect pertains to your role at Circle of Care.

Extremely hot weather can be difficult for everyone, but spending excess time outdoors travelling from home to home in the community in hot and humid conditions can put extra stress on your body. To be prepared and to limit the risk for heat-related illness, please click below to review the important prevention tips.

If you’re in the office feel free to pick up a PRIDE pin at the front desk.

We would like to highlight our staff wearing the pins, so we invite you to take a photo with the pin on and send it to Mary at man@circleofcare.com.

Whether you’re looking to cope with a specific mental health problem, handle your emotions better, or simply to feel more positive and energetic, there are plenty of ways to take control of your mental health. Psychological well-being affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Psychological well-being is attained by achieving a state of balance affected by both challenging and rewarding life events. This webinar will help employees develop new skills and strategies that you can start to use right away. The tools and techniques range from sleep hygiene to mindset to workday self-care are all geared towards improving psychological health.

Date: Wednesday, July 6th
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location – Zoom

Launch Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 839 7531 7448
Passcode: 450243

Please refer to the handout below as a resource for the webinar.

JUNE

June is Pride Month, National Indigenous Month, Seniors Month, Italian Heritage Month, Filipino Heritage Month & Portuguese Heritage Month

June 21: First Day of Summer || National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 26: Pride Parade

JULY
July 1: Canada Day – Statutory Holiday ||  DEI Survey Due

Congratulations to this week’s Champions of Care nominees:

• “Several weeks ago I felt broken. I was struggling with not only how to grieve my mother’s death, but also to grieve the person that she was. I was troubled and lost. Then, I got a call from Charlotte Koven. From our first conversation, I felt a sense of calm for the first time in many years. Charlotte has shown me kindness and compassion. She taught me that my feelings are valid and gave me tools to help me get through my feelings of grief. I have looked forward to my conversations with her. I want to thank her for helping me find my way; I no longer feel lost. Thank you Charlotte for your wonderful words of wisdom! I am so thankful for the help that I received from Charlotte and from Circle of Care. Thank you for helping me see brighter days.” – Bereavement Client
• “I was dealing with an extremely stressful situation on the weekend while being on call. The situation required a PSW urgently for an overnight shift. I called several PSWs at 2 am, and naturally – being so late in night – no one answered. I called PSW Natalia Saryan at 2:30 am and she picked up. I explained the situation. She graciously accepted to assist and took the overnight shift. She was so polite and willing to help, I was awed by her dedication to the organization and her clients. Natalia was at the site in 20 minutes, and she reassured me by saying “I am here, no problem.” Natalia, thank you for your support and hard work!” – Muna Sheerin