Inside the Circle – April 30, 2024

Highlights from this Week

• Slips, Trips, and Falls Prevention
• Information and Resources for Newcomers to Canada
• Beyond Silence
• Welcome to Circle of Care
• Ask Us Anything

To prevent slips, trips and falls, follow these safety precautions:

• Always be aware of what’s happening around you. Do not let objects you are carrying block your view.
• Watch for changing conditions (wet to dry, rough to smooth and uneven surfaces) that might make the ground slippery.
• Watch streets and sidewalks for curbs, slopes, potholes, or steps.
• Wipe up any puddles of water that may be on the floor after assisting a client with showering/bathing.
• Wear appropriate shoes as per our footwear policy. This may include slip-resistant, supportive and comfortable footwear.
• Log/report to your supervisor anything within your client’s home that looks dangerous.

New to Canada and need help settling in? Check out our guide! It has info on settlement services, legal rights, education, health care, and special programs for newcomers. Plus, tips on dealing with winter and finding community support and fun activities near you. Click the button below for all this info and more!

Beyond Silence is a free and confidential mental health support program for you. 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, or on your personal device.

ACCESS CODE: CCYP527J8

• Sophia Dunbar
• Chantelle Lawson
• Jescelle Alip
• Nisha Changaker
• Jaiminikumari Patel
• Olajumoke Akangbe
• Mikaella De Souza

We invite you to submit your questions or feedback below. Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers, so if you’ve asked a question that hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you in the coming weeks.

What does “miscellaneous earnings hours” mean?
Miscellaneous earnings hours are hours that is paid by the agency that are not client facing hours, but internal earnings. This includes:

• Union meetings
• PSW Group meetings
• Short travel
• Delegation training paid
• Mobile App training
• Scheduling error worker paid (this is used when someone, other than the worker verified the hours on the worker’s behalf).

Worker should confirm with their Service Coordinator, or check their mobile app in terms of these miscellaneous payments, when these occurs.

When I use my Global Benefits dental benefit, should I pay first or can I use my card directly? There is too much confusion around that, can you explain how using the benefits works?
Thanks for reaching out about – unfortunately the benefit program is managed and administered by Global Benefits, so you will need to contact them directly to confirm details around payment and reimbursement. Their contact number is 416-635-6000.

Hi! I can’t use my phone’s map for 2 weeks now. I’ve been trying to check every day but it’s still not working. Who do I report this problem to? Thank you.
If your phone’s map isn’t working, you should contact IT Support to have them help you fix your phone. To do that, go into your EZ Exalt app, click on the hamburger menu (the three lines) on the top left of your screen, and then click on the Support button.

Do we still get paid if the client cancels 3 hours before we visit? And if so, then why doesn’t it appear in the hours of that day as paid hours?
Hi, thank you for your question. We asked our Payroll team this question, and they told us that you would need to contact them directly so that they can look into your situation. But in general if the client cancelled the visit, and the visit cancellation is less than 3 hours’ notice, then the worker does not get paid.