Highlights from this week
- Code of Conduct
- World Mental Health Day
- September Step Challenge Winners!
- Get Vaccinated this Flu Season!
- Safety in the Community
- High Fives
- Ask Us Anything
Circle of Care’s Code of Conduct
Circle of Care is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and we believe that professionalism, diversity, and respect are a shared responsibility.
Our Code of Conduct outlines the ethical and professional standards that all employees and volunteers must uphold. As Personal Support Workers, these standards are an important part of providing the best possible care to our clients and maintaining a professional work environment.
Key Principles to Remember:
- Professionalism: Maintain respect, punctuality, confidentiality, and appropriate attire.
- Client-Centered Care: Support client autonomy, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
- Communication: Ensure clear, timely, and respectful communication with clients and team.
- Integrity & Accountability: Demonstrate honesty, reliability, and professional boundaries.
- Safety & Compliance: Follow safety protocols, report incidents, and comply with training.
- Continuous Improvement: Be open to feedback and committed to professional growth.
World Mental Health Day 2024: Mental Health at Work
October 10 is World Mental Health Day!
The videos below offer insights and advice from people who have navigated mental health issues at work.
Please keep in mind that some of the videos could be triggering or uncomfortable because they touch on sensitive topics related to mental health, including stigma and personal experiences. We encourage you to proceed with caution and to make use of the resources linked after the videos.
You’re not alone
If you or someone you know is facing mental health concerns, remember that support is available.
In addition to our GreenShield EAP, the City of Toronto has put together a range of Mental Health Resources that offer free services through various organizations.
September Step Challenge Winners!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the September Step Challenge!
It was great to see so many of you getting active and tracking your steps. Let’s keep finding ways to get our steps in throughout the day!
Here are the top 3 winners and the lucky participant prize winner.
- 1st place prize ($150 Walmart gift card): Ana Joaquim (443,860 steps)
- 2nd place prize ($100 Walmart gift card): Djibril Mane (386,568 steps)
- 3rd place prize ($50 Walmart gift card): Olaide Foli (307,392 steps)
- Participation prize (Starbucks gift card): Michelle Duklas
Congratulations to all!
Get Vaccinated this flu season!
More than just a cold!
Influenza (the flu) is a virus that can cause severe inflammation of vital organs, sometimes requiring critical hospital care. Even a mild flu can weaken your body, making it easier for other infections to take hold. The flu can also make existing health conditions such as diabetes, lung and heart disease worse.
As caregivers, it is especially important to protect your loved ones, your clients, and yourself.
Getting vaccinated is proven to reduce your chances of getting sick and limit the severity of illness if you do get sick. Vaccination also helps prevent serious complications from the flu such as hospitalization. Vaccines also help limit the spread and protect people who are most vulnerable to developing serious illness, including babies, small children, people with chronic health conditions like heart disease, and older individuals.
Flu vaccinations are the best way to prevent the flu and its potentially serious consequences!
Safety in the Community
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
As a PSW, you spend a lot of time moving around the community. Being out and about means that it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially when crossing streets or walking to a client’s home.
Tips for staying safe
- Avoid distractions like phones or headphones when crossing the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road.
- Use crosswalks whenever possible, even if it means walking a bit further.
- Be aware of cars turning at intersections—don’t assume they’ll stop for you.
Remember, your safety comes first. Let’s make sure we all get home safely every day.
High Five!
A High Five for Carmina
Carmina is such a friendly co-worker!
– Josefina Evardo
A High Five for Leeanna Small
I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU! For everything while providing coverage. Your dedication and attention to detail really shine through, and it’s making a huge difference for the team. Thank you for stepping up and making it look so seamless!
– Muna Sheerin
Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!
The 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.
Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. Submissions must be submitted by an individual person, whether they be a staff member or member of the community.
Ask Us Anything
Does Circle of Care offer casual positions for PSWs?
Circle of Care employs PSWs on a part-time or full-time basis. Employees are obligated to provide a stated availability which is consistent week to week. We do not have any ‘casual’ or ‘on-call’ positions.
How are we supposed to handle situations where our client’s unit had bed bugs? It’s not safe for us or for the next clients we have.
Situations where bed bugs are found in a client’s home can be stressful for both you and your client! While bed bug bites can cause a raised bump and itchiness, bed bugs cannot transmit infectious diseases.
If you are told of a bed bug problem by the client or their family, report it to the office immediately at 416-635-2860, so a note is made on the client’s file and appropriate personnel such as your supervisor are notified. Your service coordinator will do their best to schedule these visits at the end of your work day, so that you do not see additional clients afterwards.
We have more information related to bed bugs on the PSW Portal, including best practices for keeping your own home free of bed bugs: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/your-health-safety/#bedbugs
I know that all agencies got retro paid, but not us. We never get raises and never got retro paid. And we pay way too much taxes. Even working full-time we don’t make enough for living.
Thank you for your feedback – we know that compensation is an important topic and a priority of our PSWs. As you may know, compensation and wages are dictated in the Collective Agreement. Circle of Care and SEIU are currently in the process of negotiating for the new Collective Agreement and compensation is top of mind for the negotiation process. We hope to be able to share more details soon, when the new Collective Agreement is formalized.
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.