Highlights from this week
- No Newsletter for June 3, 2025 Due to Technical Difficulties
- Plan Ahead: Upcoming Toronto Events That May Impact Transit
- Last Chance: Sign Up for our Staff Party
- Limited Time Offer: Access Discounted CNE Tickets
- Upcoming Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
- New! Dedicated Text Line for CPR Registration
- Safety Spotlight: Heat Hazards
- Safe Lifting and Transfers: Protect Yourself and Your Clients
- 30% Off GoodLife Fitness Membership
- Traumatic Stress: Support Zoom Session (June 11)
- Free Financial Webinar: How to Start Saving (June 12)
- Free Support: Health Care Worker Assist Program
- Reporting Incidents of Workplace Violence, Hate, and Discrimination
- Men’s Mental Health Month: Free Resources
- Feeling Overwhelmed? The Stress Bucket Can Help!
- New Staff
- Ask Us Anything
Important Notice: No Newsletter for June 3, 2025
Please note that there was no Inside the Circle newsletter last week (June 3) due to technical difficulties with the PSW Portal. We appreciate your understanding and are pleased to resume the newsletter this week.
Plan Ahead: Upcoming Toronto Events That May Impact Transit

Saturday, June 14, 2025
- Where: Lake Shore Blvd. W from Windermere to Bathurst (full road) will be closed.
- When: 4:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- What: Under Armour Toronto 10K
Reminders & Announcements
Last Chance: Sign Up for our Staff Party!

Don’t forget to sign up for our Tropical Summer Vibes Staff Party! The party will take place on June 24, from 5 PM to 9 PM at The Warehouse Venue. Enjoy a live DJ, a sit-down dinner, exciting prizes, and a spacious area to mingle and connect with colleagues from across the organization. We look forward to seeing you there!
The deadline to register for the event is Friday, June 13. When you register, you’ll be asked to select what meal you would like.
For any questions regarding this event, please reach out to Mary at man@circleofcare.com.
Limited Time Offer: Access Discounted CNE Tickets!

You are able to purchase discounted tickets to the CNE this summer (purchase by August 14 for 47% off).
Access Code: 2025HH4M6F67
Health & Safety
Upcoming Mask Fit and CPR Sessions

All PSWs and Homemakers must be certified with valid and current CPR training, and be properly fitted for N95 masks.
Upcoming sessions for both CPR and mask fit are available. Appointments can be booked online or by calling 905-272-9214.
New! Dedicated Text Line for CPR Registration
You can now text 647-496-5189 with the following details to be registered manually:
- Full name
- Email address
- Location
- Preferred training session time
Safety Spotlight: Heat Hazards

As temperatures rise, it’s important to be aware of the risks of extreme heat and how to protect yourself and those around you. Here are some heat-related illnesses and ways to stay safe this summer:
- Heat Exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
- Heat Stroke is more serious and can involve confusion, high body temperature, seizures, hallucinations, and even unconsciousness – call 911 immediately.
To stay safe:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Take breaks in shaded or cool areas
- Wear light, breathable clothing
- Know the signs and act quickly
Safe Lifting and Transfers: Protect Yourself and Your Clients

Lifting and moving clients can be physically demanding, and improper techniques can lead to injuries. Whether you’re helping a client stand, sit, or transfer, following these 5 safety tips can make a big difference.
5 Tips to Keep You and Your Client Safe:
- Keep your back and neck straight
- Use your core muscles for support
- Bend at your knees, not your back
- Hold the client close to your body
- Lift with your legs, not your back
Do not lift more than you can comfortably handle. Ask for help to avoid injury to yourself or the client.
Wellness at Work
It’s Here! Receive a 30% Discount on GoodLife Membership Fees

Limited-Time Offer: Sign up before June 30, 2025, to receive a 30% discount on your GoodLife membership fees (after June 30, the ongoing corporate discount will be 25%).
No matter when you sign up, the $59.99 enrolment fee is waived for all corporate members.
As a member, you can:
- Add up to 2 family members to your plan
- Access 200+ clubs across Canada
- Join group fitness classes
- Enjoy GoodLife Rewards, with savings on popular brands
When you’re ready to register, make sure you have your employee ID handy. You’ll find it in your Dayforce profile or on your pay stub.
Traumatic Stress: Support Zoom Session (June 11)

You are invited to a session facilitated by Your Health Space (YHS) on Traumatic Stress.
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 872 3195 9752
Passcode: 976900
In this one-hour session, YHS facilitators will examine how traumatic stress emerges and share strategies to build resilience and protect yourself.
Free Financial Webinar: How to Start Saving (June 12)

Learn practical strategies for managing debt, understanding credit essentials, and deciding whether renting or buying is the right choice for you.
- Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (EDT)
- Location: Online
Free Support: Health Care Worker Assist Program

Taking care of others is important, but so is taking care of yourself. If you feel stressed, tired, or overwhelmed, free and confidential support is available through the Health Care Worker Assist Program, designed for healthcare and community care workers like you.
What help is available?
- Talk to a trained professional for support
- Learn ways to manage stress and feel better
- Get help finding other support if needed
How to get support:
- Call: 1 (877) 767-9642
- Email: CentralizedReferral@ontarioshores.ca
Reporting Incidents of Workplace Violence, Hate, and Discrimination

All employees are reminded that Circle of Care has policies in place to help prevent workplace violence, harassment, discrimination, and hate. If you experience or witness any such incidents during work or working hours, please report them to your Supervisor, Manager, Director, or Human Resources.
For more information, please review our relevant policies:
If you prefer to report any incidents anonymously, you can access the confidential form below.
Men’s Mental Health Month: Free Resources

For Men’s Mental Health Month, take the opportunity to explore free virtual workshops, self-guided courses, and online tools to support your mental health and wellbeing. If you know someone who might need a reminder that they’re not alone, please share these free online resources:
- Check out the MindFit Toolkit for men’s mental health resources
- Boost Your Mental Wellness with Free Online Courses
- Screen for Common Issues with a Free Online Self-Check Quiz
- Try a Free Online Men’s Health Check
Feeling Overwhelmed? The Stress Bucket Can Help!
Stress builds up for all of us from work, family, finances, or just everyday pressures. This short video explains the “Stress Bucket” idea: how stress adds up over time, and how small steps (like getting active, talking to someone, or taking a break) can help prevent it from overflowing.
Community Corner
Welcome to Circle of Care

We are pleased to welcome the following new PSWs to Circle of Care:
- Grace Wanjohi
- Roshi Shrestha
- Hisgrace Soblessed
- Mercy Kinyua
- Rachael Adenuga
- Amal Yonis
- Norma Fungo
- Vida Badraei
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.
I learned that Circle of Care has no completion of reference policy. Can I get the link of this policy? This is the only job I did in Canada. So how can I get a professional reference from this company?
Thank you for your question. We have an External Reference Check Request Policy, which covers this topic. You can view the policy here.
When someone outside of Circle of Care asks for information about a current or past unionized employee, we will only share their start and end dates of employment, the jobs they held, and their work responsibilities. Our employees are not allowed to give references, recommendations, or endorsements (either written or spoken) for any current or past co-workers to people or organizations outside of Circle of Care. This includes potential employers, schools, or anyone else. If you receive a request for a reference, you must immediately send it to the Human Resources (HR) Department. HR will check who is asking for the information and make sure they have the necessary permission from the employee. HR will then use a standard letter or script to respond to these requests, ensuring everyone gets the same information.
What is Circle of Care’s policy on feeding clients? Can we put food in their mouths? What about cutting finger/toenails, or shaving underarm/pubic areas?
Feeding must be part of the care plan and pre-approved by CSS in case of dietary/texture restrictions and/or swallowing concerns. Please consult with your CSS before feeding.
You are not permitted to cut finger/toenails, but you can use a nail file.
You can only use an electric razor but not in the pubic area without prior consent/approval from client and CSS.
Are we being paid for the hours or for the services when in a client’s home? Even after providing care in the care plan for some clients, they always want you to do more housekeeping because your time with them is not yet over.
You are paid for the time you spend in the client’s home for the duration of the scheduled visit. If personal care is done but time remains, you must offer tasks within your scope of practice which could include light housekeeping. If time runs out but required tasks remain, call the office and speak to someone live for instructions on how to proceed.
Can we do in-person meetings together with the coordinator and supervisor to raise our concerns and issues regarding the schedule and hours we get or any other issues? Phone calls don’t make any sense at all as the coordinator doesn’t answer or call us back. Team meetings always focus on client services. How about our concerns?
Please connect with your CSS and SC to request an in-person meeting to discuss your concerns.
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.