Highlights from this week
- Spotlight on… Workplace Violence and Harassment
- Wellness at Work
- Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
- Learning in Action
- Good to Know
- Ask Us Anything
Spotlight on… Workplace Violence and Harassment
De-Escalating Client Aggression
Anger, aggression, and unpredictable behaviour are sometimes an unfortunate reality of caregiving. However, there are ways to keep yourself and your client safe and to reduce the risk of client aggression.
Review the client’s file before your visit
- Take extra care if the client has a history of anger, aggression or abuse.
- Be prepared if the client has a condition that may lead to unpredictable behaviour such as substance abuse, Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
- Use the ALC checklist to evaluate the client’s condition and speak with your Client Services Supervisor if you notice any changes.
Be aware of your surroundings
- Be aware of any other residents, caregivers, or visitors in the home.
- Ensure that pets are secured.
- Try to position yourself so that you can easily reach an exit if you need to.
Monitor client behaviour
- Learn to recognize the early signs of aggressive behaviour, such as fidgeting, heightened breathing, or a flushed face.
- If you notice these warning signs, slow down or stop what you are doing and give them space to calm down.
- Speak in a calm, neutral, respectful and empathetic way.
- It can be difficult to remain calm, but your attitude can help ease your client’s distress while keeping yourself safe.
If your client becomes aggressive or violent
- Step outside of your client’s personal space and avoid standing directly in front of them.
- When it is safe to do so, remove yourself from the situation and exit the area.
- Call Circle of Care to report the incident.
Reporting Incidents of Workplace Violence, Hate and Discrimination
You deserve a workplace free from violence, harassment, discrimination, and hate!
This includes physical violence or threats, verbal or sexual harassment, and other forms of intimidation or discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or partnership status, family status or disability.
How can I report?
If you are experiencing violence, harassment, discrimination, or hate while at work or during working hours, you can report to your Supervisor, Manager, Director, or to Human Resources.
You can also report anonymously using the link below:
What will happen?
Your report will be handled with respect and discretion. Next steps will depend on what happened and who is involved.
Workplace Violence and Harassment e-learning
Learn more about recognizing and preventing Workplace Violence and Harassment with our e-learning course in Dayforce.
This course is mandatory, so if you have not yet done so, complete the course as soon as possible.
Wellness at Work
Incident and Injury Reporting
Your Safety Matters!
If you encounter a safety hazard, experience a safety incident, or are injured while working, report it to the Call Centre, your Service Coordinator, or your CSS.
If you have any questions, please contact HRDept@circleofcare.com
Managing Back-to-School Stress
The start of a new school year is often exciting, but it can also be stressful!
It can be especially hard for kids who have had bad experiences at school or are dealing with other difficulties.
If you or your child needs some extra support, check out these resources!
- Kids help phone provides free, confidential support to children and teenagers across Canada. They can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868.
- Toronto Distress Centre offers 24/7 crisis support at 416-408-4357.
Book your Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
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
Important reminders:
- Arrive 15 minutes before the CPR training or mask fit session begins.
- Try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled. If you need to make any scheduling arrangements after you have booked your session, speak to your Service Coordinator.
- Your schedule will be blocked as ‘unavailable’ for you to attend the session. You do not need to use your phone to sign into the training.
- You will be paid a total of 4 hours for the training (CPR) and 1 hour for mask fit. These hours will be added to your schedule and paid out 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed. They will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’.
- Manage your bookings or cancellations through the online portal.
- You will receive a confirmation email/text notification when you book your session and a session reminder.
Learning in Action
Indigenous Cultural Competency in Healthcare
Reminder: All employees must complete this mandatory module by September 20, 2024.
This 30-minute e-learning module is focused on awareness of Indigenous culture and the implications of historical trauma for health care professionals.
Access the course by logging into your Dayforce account and selecting the ‘Learning’ Tab.
Upcoming Webinar: Intersecting Identities in the Workplace
Most of us have more than one social identity – this includes gender and racial or ethnic groups we belong to, but also our role as workers, family members, and members of our communities. These identities affect how we see the world and how others see us in complex ways.
Please join us for this webinar where we will explore how different identities come together and affect our experiences in the workplace.
This workshop will:
- Examine social identity & intersectionality in the workplace using the R.E.A.L. Framework
- Explore how intersecting identities can create barriers to well-being
- Apply strategies to challenge internal biases, build confidence, and lead by example
Session Details:
- Date: September 11, 12pm-2pm
- Meeting URL: https://cmhaontario.zoom.us/j/83471427734?pwd=XQzwjKqGQjdGOhBaCgFf9JVVKgAq85.1&from=addon
- Meeting ID: 834 7142 7734
- Passcode: 407183
Slips, Trips, & Falls Prevention
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.
Good to Know
Did you know…?
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada offers a handy guide to the Basics of Investing!
This valuable resource covers types of investments, regulations, decision-making, costs, and how to file a complaint.
Last chance for the 50/50 Raffle!
Don’t miss your chance to win big and support programs for seniors!
Buy your tickets by August 28 at 5 PM for our 50/50 Raffle. Half of the jackpot will go to one lucky winner, and the other half will support vital programs for seniors.
The draw will take place shortly after the sales deadline, and we will notify the lucky winner directly.
The Grand Parade – A Fun-Filled Community Event!
Join us on Sunday, September 22nd at 10:00 AM for The Grand Parade!
This free fundraising event will feature a DJ, snacks, and photo opportunities as we come together to support key programs for seniors. Personal Support Workers can sign up for our special PSW team and showcase your commitment to our cause.
The Grand Parade is not a paid event, but it is a fun way to help raise funds for the communities we serve.
Discount CNE Tickets
Circle of Care is proud to offer discount tickets to this year’s CNE!
Use our corporate code to save on gate prices and more when you buy your CNE tickets online.
Ask Us Anything
Once we are eligible for benefits then it will stay continue every year or else every year we have to do 650 hours in every new year first 6 month?
Employment status is reviewed on an annual basis in January, for all employees. To be eligible for full time employment status and any benefits, you must work at least 1300 hours in the previous calendar year.
If you are a new employee in 2024, you must work 650 hours to be eligible for benefits. After that, your hours will be reviewed in January 1, 2025 to determine if you are still eligible for benefits for the 2025 calendar year.
The requirement for full time employment status, and our group benefit plan, is fully detailed in the Collective Agreement (article 23).
What’s the Accruals & Balances on our paystub?
The accruals shows how much vacation pay you have accumulated so far. The balance shows how much vacation pay has not been used.
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.