Inside the Circle – November 7, 2023

Download our ‘Daily Well-being Challenge’ calendar and log your achievements! Send your completed Challenge calendar to Nasrin at nalam@circleofcare.com by December 8th, and you’ll be entered into a draw with a chance to win 2500 Applause Points!

Join us on December 5 from 5pm-8pm for a staff Winter Wonderland party! There will be a live DJ, fun activities, a photo booth, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and more.

The deadline to RSVP is Friday, November 24.

Get ready to take your career to the next level with the exciting Workplace English for PSW program! This pilot initiative is proudly funded and monitored by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development of Ontario.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• It’s FREE and ONLINE! No strings attached – this incredible course won’t cost you a dime.
• Real-Life Scenarios: The curriculum is tailor-made for PSWs, focusing on the situations you encounter daily.
• Flexibility at Its Best: You call the shots! Learn with a teacher or go solo; the choice is yours.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to improve your English communication skills and excel in your career. The teacher-led course starts November 20 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-9pm.

Call 416-292-7510 ext: 1308 or 416-940-3375 or email esltraining@cicscanada.com.

Learn more: https://www.cicscanada.com/dat/files/13213.png

Don’t forget to check-out the ‘Beyond Silence’ app! This is a free and confidential mental health support program to our PSWs and Homemakers. Through the app, you can access resources to support your mental well-being, and you are able to speak with a trained Peer Support Provider. You can access the app on your Circle of Care work phone, and on your personal device.

ACCESS CODE: CCYP527J8

For more information about the program, please visit: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/health-safety/wellness-at-work/

We want to ensure your well-being, especially when it comes to those ‘high-risk’ slip, trip, and fall hazards you might encounter. Slippery surfaces in client bathrooms and kitchens, seasonal surprises like snow and ice, and the time you spend out and about in the community can all pose challenges.

But here’s the good news: our dedicated Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) has your back. They’ve crafted formal programs, policies, and procedures to minimize the chances of slips, trips, and falls leading to injuries.

We’ve made it easy for you – all you need to do is take a moment to familiarize yourself with these essential health and safety documents. Your safety matters, and we’re here to keep you on steady ground. Let’s make sure you’re prepared for any surface, any season, and any challenge:

• Slips Trips & Falls Prevention Program
• Safe Footwear Policy

As we prepare to head into the winter months, it is a good time to think about packing an emergency kit for your vehicle if you are regularly driving.

Here are some recommended supplies to keep in your vehicle during winter months:

• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Road maps
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Blanket
• Properly fitting tire chains
• Bag of sand, salt, or kitty litter
• Booster cables
• Warning devices such as flares or emergency lights
• Fuel line de-icer
• Extra windshield wiper fluid appropriate for sub-freezing temperatures
• Matches and emergency candles

We can’t stress enough how important it is to stay vigilant in the battle against COVID-19. It’s a team effort, and we’ve got some simple but powerful steps to help reduce the risk of transmission:

• Wash Those Hands! Keep the good habit of regular hand hygiene going strong. It’s your first line of defense.
• Health Check: Before your shift, do a quick self-check. Feeling A-OK? Great, let’s roll!
• Stay Home If Unwell: If you’re not feeling your best, please stay home. It’s the right thing to do.
• Symptoms? Test Time! If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, take a break and grab a rapid antigen test within 24-48 hours.
• Mask Up: Follow our PPE protocol. Universal masking is the name of the game – for everyone’s safety.
• Client Care: Keep a watchful eye on your clients’ well-being. If you spot any new symptoms, don your additional PPE (gloves, eye protection, and an isolation gown) and let your CSS know.

Let’s continue to work together to stay safe and healthy!

Dealing with the flu? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Most folks who catch the flu have a mild bout and can handle it at home without medical visits. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Home Sweet Home: If you’ve got flu symptoms, the best place to be is at home. Rest up, and avoid close contact with others unless you need medical help.
2. High-Risk or Worried? Reach Out: Now, if you’re in a high-risk group or your symptoms are hitting hard, don’t hesitate to contact your health care provider. They’re here to help. They might even prescribe antiviral drugs to speed up your recovery and prevent complications.
3. Self-Care Magic: While you’re on the mend, pamper yourself. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and ease muscle pain with a hot water bottle or heating pad. A warm bath can do wonders too. And remember, skip alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
4. Call for Backup: If things don’t improve after a few days, your symptoms worsen, or you’re in a high-risk group, it’s time to give your doctor or nurse practitioner a call.

It’s all about feeling better, faster. You’ve got this, and we’re here to support you!

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, begins on November 12th. Celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide, it signifies new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness. Lasting five days, it falls during the Hindu month of Kartika.

Diwali traditions vary but often include lighting lamps, visiting loved ones, savoring delicious food, and enjoying vibrant fireworks. Happy Diwali!

We are looking into adding UPS store locations for supply pick-ups. Let us know where you’d like to pick up your supplies! Fill out our survey and share your opinions with us: https://circleofcare.formstack.com/forms/new_ppe_locations_survey

Why don’t we have break time? We only have travel time going from to client to client as a break. Why don’t we have a paid break time?

According to the Employment Standards Act (ESA), employees are entitled to one 30-minute break after every five hours of consecutive work.  Or you can take the 30 minutes in two separate 15-minute breaks. The employer is not obligated to pay you for any break time that you receive.  Additionally, a break does not count towards your daily hours worked. If you have concerns about your current work schedule, please reach out to your coordinator to make adjustments.

I can’t understand what is going on with Circle of Care. I am a full-time worker. I work 44.30 hours a week. I have 2 days off, which are Saturday and Sunday. Today (Saturday), I got a phone call from the office. The lady asked me if I could work on Sunday. I said “No way!” And she said, “OK, it’s good that I called you.” Now I’m worried – I’ve had Saturdays and Sundays off for 10 years.  I want to know if I have the same schedule. What is going on?

At times when we are short of PSWs on a weekend, Service Coordinators call PSWs who do not work on weekends to check if they want to work extra hours. It does not mean that their availability is changed and there is no obligation on PSWs to accept the offer.

How do I get access to my paystub?

To access your paystub, you need to log into your Dayforce account. Information on how to log into Dayforce and view your paystub can be found here: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/payroll/#paystubs

I suggest having a pick-up location on Bathurst and Lawrence. It is perfect location for many PSWs.

Thank you for your suggestion. We have issued a survey to PSWs to suggest new pick-up locations. If you have not filled out this survey, we invite you to do so, and to include your suggestion there. Thank you! https://circleofcare.formstack.com/forms/new_ppe_locations_survey

I agree that giving gift cards is better than Applause. You used to give gift cards two years ago. Whoever thought of Applause was only thinking of one person.

We’re sorry that you feel that Applause is not a useful recognition platform for you. Overwhelmingly, our staff have reacted positively to this new platform. We would like to reiterate that you are able to select gift cards through this platform, so you can still receive a gift card this holiday season (and it’s just a gift card of your choice). There are many options including Amazon gift cards, Sobeys gift cards, MasterCard & VISA gift cards, and many others. Previously, staff needed to use the mailed gift cards for either Metro or Food Basics, which wasn’t ideal if you didn’t have one of those stores nearby. Now, you can select a gift card (or gift) that you specifically want.

Can you bring a date to the winter wonderland party?

The Winter Wonderland party is meant for staff to come and get to know each other and celebrate the work we have done together over the last year. As such, it is open to staff only, and guests are not permitted to attend.

I have too much of a gap between my client visits. I’m on the road for 10 hours, and have a 4 hour gap in my schedule.

We understand that such a large gap between client visits can be frustrating. Please keep in mind that many of our clients’ visits need to happen in the morning or evening, and this may create a large gap in your schedule. We do invite you to talk to your Service Coordinator about any concerns you have with your schedule. If you have already spoken with your Service Coordinator, and you feel that they have not adequately addressed your concerns, please connect with one of the Service Coordinator Supervisors: Tariq x256 or Alicia x232.