Inside the Circle – February 6, 2024

Please fill out the attestations form on the following page: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/2024/01/30/policy-attestations/

You must complete the attestations form by March 1, 2024. All employees are required to review and attest to policies annually.

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs), also called Musculoskeletal Disorders, are painful conditions that affect muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints in various body parts like the neck, back, shoulders, and hands. These issues can happen to anyone at work, no matter what their job is. Everyday movements like typing, lifting, and reaching aren’t harmful by themselves, but when repeated constantly at work, they can become risky. Factors like awkward postures, excessive force, and stress can also contribute. February 29th is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day.

Check out https://www.ccohs.ca/events/rsi for helpful resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). Learn about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of RSIs, and access free courses and materials to reduce the impact on your health. Let’s raise awareness and take steps to minimize the risk of RSIs in our daily lives.

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!

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, click the button below.

Our partners for the app – McMaster University – would like for our staff to complete their Baseline Survey. We would appreciate that you do so at your earliest convenience.

• Erum Sadruddin
• Anna Rose Sunny
• Hazel Nicko Mapiza
• Cindy De Mesa
• Bhumi Basnet
• Premalyn Melencion
• Charmaine Herrera
• Baljeet Kaur
• Bibek Pyakurel
• Judy Pasha
• Prakriti Gurung

Is a worker eligible for global benefits if they didn’t work 1300 hours last year?

In order to be eligible for the health & benefits program and paid sick time, an employee must have worked 1,300 hours in the previous calendar year. For more information, please see Articles 21 and 23 in the Collective Agreement: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/workingatcircleofcare/collectiveagreement/