Inside the Circle – March 19, 2024

Let’s keep things safe and healthy! Here are some important steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Check that you feel good and have no symptoms before starting work.
• Stay home if you’re not feeling well.
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home for 1-2 days and take a quick test.
• Tell your office if your test is positive.
• Always wear a mask when working with clients.
• Keep an eye on your clients and tell your supervisor if they show new symptoms. Use extra protective gear (gloves, eye protection, and gown) when needed. Stay safe!

At Circle of Care, we truly appreciate our employees and want to celebrate your outstanding work! That’s why we have Applause, our special recognition program. With Applause, you can easily recognize and celebrate your colleagues’ achievements.

Redeeming your points is a breeze! You can do it right from your computer or phone. To help you get started, we’ve created a tutorial on how to access the catalogue and redeem points using the mobile app.

Please keep your personal contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address, etc.) up-to-date in Dayforce. You can check your paystub by logging into Dayforce to confirm if your address is correct. You can change your personal information by logging onto Dayforce. If you have any questions, or to have your information updated, please reach out to HRDept@circleofcare.com.

Positive Psychology at Work

You’re invited to join us for a ‘Positive Psychology at Work’ workshop hosted by Your Health Space on April 3, 2024, at 12 PM! This one-hour session will discuss the Dimensions of Wellness and the PERMA Model of Well-Being.

Zoom Meeting Details:
Meeting ID: 817 6395 0154
Passcode: 394608

Challenging Stigma in the Workplace

Also hosted by Your Health Space, we will be holding a workshop on Challenging Stigma in the Workplace. This important workshop is scheduled for May 15, 2024, @12PM and will be for two hours. The workshop will go over how words and actions can affect well-being and learn how to reduce stigmatizing language and create a stigma-free workplace.

Zoom Meeting Details:
Meeting ID: 897 9417 7253
Passcode: 933669

We want to hear from you! Once you are done attending the Elder Abuse training sessions, please complete the following survey by clicking the button below.

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

We ask that if you have just started using the Beyond Silence app, that you fill out the following form:
Baseline: https://canchild.mcmaster.ca/surveys/?s=9XKXWR4KLF44FACE

If you’ve been using the app for a while, please fill out the follow-up form:
Follow-Up: https://canchild.mcmaster.ca/surveys/?s=DDW89H4A9RA47PKH

• Matilda Odungide-Essien
• Simranjeet Gahir
• Rea Sulit
• Sabila Sathiya Dhas
• Rosalinda Elbano
• Beverly Rombaoa
• Melesia Rance

As a part time employee, I should be getting 60 hrs every two weeks, but I’m getting 20hrs every 2 weeks instead. How is this fair for me? I’ve worked for Circle of Care for over 4 years. With my current number of hours, I can’t even pay my rent.
If you are not receiving enough hours, and have already spoken with your coordinator, you should escalate this so an investigation can be done to see if there are hours available in a nearby caseload. You can connect with one of the Service Coordination Supervisors – Alicia Pelletier (ext.232) or Tariq Shafi (ext. 256).

I have been working for this company for 22 years. I’m working 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours and 5 hours. How is this is acceptable? And you’re still hiring new workers! Would you work for those hours?
We would like to remind staff that we hire new workers for all caseloads across our entire catchment area from Etobicoke to Scarborough, and our recruitment team only hires for areas that are in need of more PSWs. One of the other reasons for hiring new staff is that the number of PSWs available to work on any given day is not constantly growing as we hire new staff – employees can take time off for holidays, medical leave, maternity leave, other leaves of absences, etc. We need to be able to replace these visits while staff are off, and that’s not always going to be possible without hiring new staff.

If you are not receiving enough hours, and have already spoken with your coordinator, you should escalate this so an investigation can be done to see if there are hours available in a nearby caseload. You can connect with one of the Service Coordination Supervisors – Alicia Pelletier (ext.232) or Tariq Shafi (ext. 256).

On March 6 2023 prime minister Justin Trudeau announced a $3 per hour increase over the next 4 years. In my other job, which is CILT funded by the government, I already received it and they even gave me retro pay. When will we receive this $3?
We were unable to find any specific messaging from the government about this. The federal government did speak about increasing PSW pay, but at this point, it seems to be just a pledge. If we receive any information from the provincial government about this (as they are the ones who fund healthcare), we will certainly share it.

In December, I received supplies, and now I’m trying to reorder and it’s not allowing me to do so. I need supplies to work, can you help?
If you require assistance with ordering supplies, you can follow the instructions here: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/ordering-supplies/
If you have tried that, and it’s not working, please call for support. Instructions on how to call are located here: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/psw-phone-and-app/psw-cell-phone/#troubleshootingyourphone

If you have one hour of travel from one client to another, isn’t that supposed to be paid an extra 30 minutes? Why didn’t my coordinator add that extra pay for me? I travelled from Sheppard & Consumer Rd going to Finch and Steeles. This is too far, so my travel is 1hr and 5 mins.
When staff are required to travel over 45 min there should be short travel pay entered into your schedule. This generates a short travel pay. If you have travelled over 45 minutes and not gotten paid for this, please reach out to your service coordinator to confirm that the short travel pay code was entered.