Inside the Circle – January 23, 2024

With winter weather upon us, we wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of wearing appropriate footwear when travelling through the community during or after snowfall.

When selecting shoes for winter, consider the following:

1. Breathability and Waterproofness
Wet feet are cold feet, so wearing footwear that is waterproof is essential to keep you warm. Choosing boots that are breathable but waterproof and your feet will stay warm and dry, even in the rain and snow.

2. Warmth
Wear shoes or boots with insulation. Although they will be heavier and less comfortable for walking long distances, insulated boots will provide more protection against extreme temperature.

3. Traction
Look for boots that have good bottoms (outsoles) made with special materials (have a rough surface and are embedded with certain types of fibers or hard particles). They will perform better than regular rubber outsoles, especially on ice.

4. Accessorize if Necessary
If you aren’t able to find a boot in your budget that satisfies all three of the requirements above, there are things you can do to compensate. For example, wear thicker warm socks to compensate for less insulation, or use removable traction devices, like micro spikes or crampons, on shoes that might have a smooth bottom normally.

In the market for new boots this winter? Check out these partnerships via Perkopolis for discount codes on various footwear brands.

Stay on guard against COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses. Follow these steps:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Ensure you feel well before starting your shift.
• Stay home if unwell or showing symptoms.
• If symptomatic, stay home for 24-48 hours, take a rapid test, and report results.
• Report a positive COVID-19 test to the office.
• Follow PPE protocol: wear masks for all clients.
• Monitor clients for new symptoms, report to CSS, and use additional PPE when needed (gloves, eye protection, isolation gown). Stay safe!

To reduce the risk of client aggression while you are in your client’s homes, follow these tips:

• Be alert to your surroundings – notice any caregivers in the home, as well as ensure that any pets are secure during your visit.
• Maintain a safe distance if a client shows aggression. Stay off to the side, not directly in front of them.
• Position yourself for a quick exit; leave if the situation escalates and report to Circle of Care.
• Recognize early signs of aggression, such as fidgeting, heightened breathing, or a flushed face. Stay calm, neutral, and empathetic.
• Review client’s file for anger or aggression before your visit.
• Understand conditions leading to unpredictable behaviour (substance abuse, dementia or Alzheimer’s).
• Use the ALC checklist and inform your supervisor of any changing conditions. Stay vigilant!

Perkopolis is Canada’s leading perks program offering 5,000+ perks on retail, travel, attractions and more. As an employee at Circle of Care you have access to our exclusive offers. Shop from your favourite brands including Apple, Adidas, Samsung, WestJet, Fairmont hotels. To access all the Perkopolis perks and offers there are three simple steps:

• Go to https://www.perkopolis.com/ and click on ‘Sign In/Register’ at the top-right hand corner
• Click ‘Register’ on the right hand screen
• Enter your personal email address
• Monitor your inbox for an email from Perkopolis and click on the link to complete registration
• Insert your member ID Code (this will be CC+your employee ID), example CC1234

Please note that your employee ID is not your voicemail number. Your Employee ID will be outlined on your Circle of Care employee badge.

For any questions or troubleshooting, Perkopolis can be contact by phone (416-236-4985) or email (customerservice@perkopolis.com).

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

Who Was Lincoln Alexander?

Born in Toronto on January 21, 1922, Lincoln Alexander embodies the Canadian success story. A fervent advocate for anti-racism and education, he made history as the first Black Canadian in the House of Commons, Lieutenant-Governor, and Chair of the Workers Compensation Board. He spent his early days as a lawyer, and later served as Minister of Labour and Chancellor for the University of Guelph. Though he passed away in 2012, his legacy lives on through schools bearing his name and the hearts he touched. Celebrated on January 21st, Lincoln Alexander Day encourages us to embrace differences, learn from one another, and persevere against adversity. His life inspires generations to believe in their power to enact positive change and stand strong against prejudice and discrimination.

For frequently asked questions and for contact information for HR, Talent acquisition, health safety and wellness and learning and development, please visit this link: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/frequently-asked-questions-hr-department/

• Geraldine Aguas
• Cheryl McDonald
• Evelyn Valdez
• Jessica Gandu-Chaudhri
• Beth Kasemiire
• Maria Abigail Maneja

Before 2015 when Circle of Care became a Sinai system partner, if we didn’t work on a stat holiday, we would still be paid for one hour on that day, but regular rate, not for a stat holiday. What happened?

All employees (regardless if they work or not), will receive statutory holiday pay on the actual stat holiday – and you will see this on your schedule as ‘stat holiday pay’. The quantity of stat holiday pay you will receive depends on the average hours you worked in the previous 4 weeks –and this is paid out at your regular base pay rate. For those who work on the stat holiday, in additional to this special stat holiday pay, any hours that you work will be paid out at a rate of time and a half.

If an employee doesn’t work 1300hrs for the year then we don’t qualify for benefits and sick pay. But full-time staff aren’t getting 30hrs per week, so how are we expected to work that many hours in a year?

That is correct, as per the Collective Agreement, you must work 1300 hours in the current calendar year to quality for full time Employment – 1300 hours per year works out to 25 hours/week. If you are interested in increasing your availability, or have questions about maximizing your schedule, please speak to your Service Coordinator.

This is more like a suggestion than a question. As a PSW, we experience a lot in the community, including abusive clients. No matter how much you explain the care plan to them, they will always keep asking you to do something outside the care plan. I would like to suggest that you make a flyer of the things that a PSW can do for the client, and also a list of things/duties that PSWs are not allowed to do, such as moving furniture, moving the fridge to clean, fixing the curtains or hanging curtains, washing the floorboards by hand, and lots more. Please make a flyer so clients will better understand our duties. Most of the time, they look at us as if we are cleaning ladies. That we came to deep clean their place and some clients will not take NO for an answer. More education by distributing flyers with do’s and don’ts probably will help, especially with the Russian clients who don’t speak English.

Thank you for your suggestion. We do recognize that this is an issue that many of our PSWs face, and have tried to make some changes to our processes and education to try to lower the number of clients who do not understand the scope of a PSW’s role. We have made changes to our Welcome booklet outlining what ‘light housekeeping’ is, and also have posted information to our website. We send out a monthly newsletter to clients by email, and have started providing education on this topic to clients in our emails as well. Thank you for your suggestion on providing flyers to clients on this topic, and the suggestion that this content could be translated into Russian. We will discuss your suggestion, and determine how to best implement it.

I would like to know when a worker has a regular client and the client has an appointment and the regular worker is unavailable to work with this client on that particular day why is it that they do not put the client back into the regular worker’s schedule?

if a client has an appointment the Service Coordinator would just change the visit on a one time basis as per the client’s request. The ongoing schedule would automatically remain in place for the coming weeks. The only time there would be a change to the PSW/day/time ongoing is at the client’s request. If you have reason to believe otherwise you can kindly check with your Service Coordinator, but please do not ask “what happened to my client?” any time there is a change, as the Service Coordinators cannot manage to explain every change in your schedule.

Why are you guys hiring new workers when you do not have enough hours for the full time workers?

Thank you for your question. Over a month ago, Circle of Care changed our process for hiring new workers. We are now only hiring workers to fill shifts for times and areas that do not currently have workers.