Inside the Circle – October 1, 2024

“Covering” is a way of describing how a person might downplay their identity to fit into the mainstream.

You can learn more about this topic in the next course in our DEI series, offered by our Learning & Development team.

Please note that all staff must complete this mandatory course by Friday November 1, 2024. You are automatically enrolled in Dayforce and you will be paid for 20 minutes after completing the training.

Fall is a great time of the year to enjoy being outside and add more walking into your daily routine!

Click below to explore locations around Toronto where you can get some extra steps in while enjoying the cooler weather and fall colours.

What is GreenShield EAP?

GreenShield EAP is a confidential service designed to support your overall well-being. It offers a safe space where you can comfortably discuss life challenges – such as work, family, or other areas of life – with someone outside your usual circle who can provide you with guidance and support. Whether you need a listening ear, advice, or guidance, the EAP is here to help.

The EAP provides access to:

• Counseling Services: Speak with a professional, whether individually or as a couple, without long wait times or complicated processes.
• Health & Life Support: Get help from experts on topics like work, health, nutrition, and financial or legal issues.

How can I access GreenShield EAP?

We are currently piloting this program for our PSWs from September to December. During the pilot period, registration will be on a first come-first serve basis, capped at 50 employees. If there is enough interest, we hope to expand the program beyond the 50 employee cap.

This service is not anonymous, but it is completely confidential. Using this service will not be held against you and your personal information will always be private. Circle of Care will not know which services you use or what you talk about.

Last chance to log your step count and win prizes!

This is the last week of our September Step Challenge!

Don’t forget! You must enter all of your step counts by 4:30 pm on October 3rd to win!

Challenge winners will be announced in the October newsletter. Prizes will be awarded to employees with the top 3 highest step counts:

• 1st place prize: $150 Walmart gift card
• 2nd place prize: $100 Walmart gift card
• 3rd place prize: $50 Walmart gift card
• Participation prize:  Starbucks gift card

All employees who log at least 42,000 steps by the end of the challenge (equivalent to 2000 steps/day) will be entered in a draw to win the participation prize.

Log your steps with our Step Count tracking sheet or email HRDept@circleofcare.com with your step count for each week.

It’s flu season again! Preventing the spread of illness is especially important for care workers to protect both yourself and your clients. Of course you want to keep yourself healthy so that you can help others, but you should also remember that a mild illness for you could be deadly to your clients.

Here are some healthy habits you to protect yourself and your clients from the flu and other contagious diseases:

• Get vaccinated! Each fall, a new flu vaccine becomes available, specifically designed to prevent the most likely strains. The vaccine trains your body to recognize and fight off the infection without endangering you or your clients.
• Practice good hand hygiene: wash hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like countertops, faucets, tabletops, and doorknobs.
• Cover your mouth and nose. Masks protect both you and your client from spreading germs if one of you is infected. You should also turn away from others, especially when you cough or sneeze.
• If you do get sick, avoid close contact with other people, including staying home from school or work until you have fully recovered.
• Maintain good health habits all year to keep your body strong and ready to fight off infections. This includes getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of fluids, eating nutritious food, and managing stress.

Please join us for the Protection from Burnout webinar!

In this one-hour session, we’ll learn about what burnout is, explore risk factors, and discuss strategies to help prevent it.

The webinar will be offered on two different dates, so you can attend the one that best fits your schedule.

Webinar Dates:

• October 2nd, 2024 at 12pm (1 hour)
  Zoom details: https://cmhaontario.zoom.us/j/84253449617?pwd=hVNE1RsPFkvTUEdvzuvLPQnkHQQo5a.1&from=addon 
  Meeting ID: 842 5344 9617
  Passcode: 746724
• October 16th, 2024 at 12pm (1 hour)
  Zoom details: https://cmhaontario.zoom.us/j/83546266091?pwd=I4V84L4WABbzCdCV0J45LZYUkDnSbP.1&from=addon
  Meeting ID: 835 4626 6091
  Passcode: 343887

Stay safe at work!

If you did not complete the STF Prevention eLearning module in 2023 – or you just need to refresh your memory – it’s not too late to self-enroll through Dayforce.

Log into your Dayforce account, select the ‘Learning’ tab and then choose the STF Prevention module from the ‘Courses Catalogue’ at the top.

Experience the Human Library, an innovative event that allows you to borrow people instead of books!

This online event creates a safe space for participant ‘readers’ to challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue with human ‘books’. Human ‘books’ openly share their cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and life experiences to prompt an enriching and respectful conversation with readers.

When participating as a reader, you’ll be automatically assigned to meet 2-3 ‘human ‘books’ in groups of 6-10 people.

Upcoming sessions

• Thursday October 24 @ 9:00 AM
• Tuesday November 26 @ 9:00 AM
• Tuesday December 3 @ 9:00 AM

Keep in mind that is an interactive experience, so make sure you are available to participate for the entire duration of the session.

To register, follow the link below and click the orange ‘select a date’ in the top right corner.

Have you had your mask fit tested and CPR training? Circle of Care requires all PSWs and Homemakers to be certified with valid and current CPR training and properly fitted for N95 masks.

Book your CPR training and mask fit sessions through First Aid Care today!

You can also book by calling 905-272-9214

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

• Nellya Ochirova
• Eliza Salganik
• Zinaida Budnychenko
• Jisna George
• Patricia Anyadioha
• Helen Mengesha
• Jaise John
• Ayobola Nasamu
• Gilyana Bogaeva
• Yolanda Aguila
• Rog-Jazhia St. Martin-Osborne
• Mary Grace Victoriano

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

The new 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.

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.