Highlights from this week
- National AccessAbility Week
- Reminder: Sign Up for our Staff Party
- Survey: Hand Hygiene
- Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
- New! Text Line for CPR Registration
- 30% Off GoodLife Fitness Membership
- Save on Work Shoes with Perkopolis
- Free Webinar: Budgeting 101 (May 28)
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Action Plan
- Gender Inclusive Language
- Book an Appointment with an RBC Financial Advisor
- Free Events: Indigenous Peoples Month
- New Staff
- Ask Us Anything
It’s National AccessAbility Week (NAAW)
This week is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). It is a time to recognize the important contributions of people with disabilities in Canada and to support inclusion and accessibility for everyone. Accessibility means more than just having ramps or elevators available. It also means using clear communication, helpful technology, respectful attitudes, and fair rules. This week, let’s take time to learn, listen, and think about how we can make our workplace easier and more welcoming for all people.
If you require accommodations in the workplace or would like to explore available supports, please feel free to reach out to our Human Resources team in confidence at HRDept@circleofcare.com and one of our team members will reach out to you.
Reminders & Announcements
Reminder: Sign Up for our Staff Party!
Join Circle of Care’s Annual Party with a live DJ, sit-down dinner, spacious mingling area, and exciting prizes! Connect with colleagues from all departments at this fun-filled event!
To reserve your spot, you must RSVP by Friday, June 13*
When: Tuesday, June 24 | 5pm – 9pm
Where: The Warehouse Venue | 35 Carl Hall Road #2 Toronto, ON M3K 2B6
We have a limited number of tickets available for this event. Please ensure you register by Friday, June 13 to secure your spot. Each attendee must register individually and tickets are non-transferable. If you have RSVPed but find you are unable to attend, please contact Mary at man@circleofcare.com to cancel your ticket, freeing up space for others.
Reminder: Help Us Improve Hand Hygiene Practices
Please take a few minutes to complete our annual hand hygiene survey! Your feedback helps us keep everyone healthy.
Health & Safety
Upcoming Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
Circle of Care requires that all PSWs and Homemakers be certified with valid and current CPR training, and that employees be properly fitted for N95 masks. Upcoming sessions for both CPR and mask fit are available. Appointments must be booked through First Aid Care, and can be booked online or by calling (905) 272 – 9214.
Important reminders for your CPR training course – please read:
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Please arrive 15 minutes before the class starts.
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After you have booked your appointment, please speak to your Service Coordinator if you need any scheduling arrangements and have clients that you will need to be booked off. Please try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled.
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Your schedule will be blocked as ‘unavailable’ for your session. You do not need to use your phone to sign into the training.
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You will be paid a total of 4 hours for the training (CPR) and 1 hour for mask fit – this will be added to your schedule 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed. The code will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’
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All bookings/cancellations must be managed through the online portal. You will receive a confirmation email/text notification and will also receive a session reminder.
New! Dedicated Text Line for CPR Registration
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Full name
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Email address
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Location
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Preferred training session time
Wellness at Work
Limited Time Offer: Receive a 30% Discount on GoodLife Membership Fees
Special Offer – Limited Time Only!
Sign up between June 2 and June 30, 2025 and get 30% off your GoodLife membership.
(If you sign up after June 30, you will still get a 25% discount.)
With a GoodLife corporate membership, you get many great benefits:
- No enrollment fee – this is only for corporate members.
- Access to over 200 GoodLife gyms across Canada.
- Family discount – add up to 2 family members and they will get the same discount as you.
- GoodLife Rewards – get special offers and discounts from GoodLife partner brands (like stores, wellness services, and travel).
- GoodLife On-Demand – watch and join fitness classes online anytime, anywhere – even from home!
Stay healthy, save money, and enjoy more with this special offer! If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to our HR team HRDept@circleofcare.com for assistance.
Save on Work Shoes with Perkopolis
Free Webinar: Budgeting 101 (May 28)
Making Cent$ of Money – Budgeting 101
Take control of your finances by learning the six easy steps to building a personal budget that works for you, organized by the Credit Counselling Society. Walk away with ideas, resources, and a fresh mindset about money management.
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (EDT)
Location: Online
Want to explore more upcoming financial wellness webinars? Check out the full list of free online workshops!
Learn About Our Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Action Plan
At Circle of Care, we are committed to creating a healthy, safe, and supportive workplace where employees feel valued and can thrive.
Our Workplace Well-being and Employee Engagement Committee has developed a Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy and Action Plan to strengthen our commitment to community, promote sustainable practices, and engage staff in meaningful ways.
The Importance of Gender-Inclusive Language
Using respectful and inclusive language is a powerful way to demonstrate commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces.
For information about starting conversations, including email correspondence, addressing individuals by title, please refer to the tip sheets below:
Avoid Assumed Use of Gendered Titles
Gender-Specific & Gender-neutral Pronouns
Want to explore more? Check out this creative and ever-growing Gender-Neutral Language Dictionary.
Book an Appointment with an RBC Financial Advisor
We’ve partnered with RBC to support your financial wellness and recommend you meet regularly with our Group Financial Advisor who can provide you advice in areas such as:
- Enrolling into our Group Savings Program
- Reviewing and making changes to your holdings
- Updating your beneficiary information
- Assist you in Managing Debt
- Discussing your budget
- Applying for credit or mortgage financing
- Discuss any other financial goals
To book an appointment with a financial advisor click here!
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month with Free Events
Enjoy two days of free, family-friendly fun with live music, dancing, lacrosse demos, storytelling, artisan markets, and Saturday’s traditional Pow Wow.
Date: June 20 & 21 (Friday and Saturday), 2025
Location: Fort York National Historic Site
See more free events and ways to take part in Indigenous Peoples Month.
Community Corner
Welcome to Circle of Care
We are pleased to welcome the following new PSWs to Circle of Care:
- Jackie Cruz
- Amanpreet Kaur
- Kayalvily Hareharan
- Aisha Hassan
- Ashma Poudel
- Nikaelen Rodrigues Falco
- Laxmi Shrestha
- Natalia Zavialova
- Victoria Hammond
- Nikita Greasley
- Rita Osei
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. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.
Ask Us Anything
If you have concerns about a client/situation or questions about your role, we encourage you to contact your Client Services Supervisor.
Are we permitted to cut our client’s fingernails and toenails?
No, PSWs and Homemakers are not permitted to cut fingernails, toenails or hair for a client. This is listed under the Prohibited Personal Care Tasks list. You can find the list here.
My schedule says one “client cancelled” only to find out the client did not cancel. The coordinator sent someone else to that client. Is this a new thing now at Circle of Care?
There are many reasons why a client may be pulled from your schedule. Some examples of those reasons include the following:
- The client may have requested a different time for their visit.
- They may no longer need care (e.g. moved into long-term care, another neighbourhood, etc.)
- They are in the hospital and are therefore no longer receiving service from us.
- There may have been changes to the client’s schedule, such as an increase and decrease of hours that requires an adjustment to the existing schedule.
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.