Inside the Circle – June 24, 2025

Pictured from left to right: Valentina, Nora, Allison, Carey, Michelle, and David. Not able to attend were winners Marissa and Alena.

We are pleased to announce our Champions of Care award winners for 2024-2025!

• Allison C., PSW
• Nora L., PSW
• Alena B., PSW
• Valentina B., Service Coordinator
• Marissa W., Coordinator, Sinai Hospital to Home
• David W., iRIDE Driver
• Michelle D., Communications Manager (Champion of the Year Award)

Last Wednesday, our Champions of Care award winners were treated to a special celebratory luncheon with our CEO Carey Lucki. Over a delicious meal, they received their well-deserved awards and had the chance to connect, share stories, and reflect on the incredible work they do across Circle of Care.

It was a wonderful moment of recognition and community, celebrating the values that guide us every day. Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Champions!

Read about each of the winners on our website blog by clicking the link below:

It’s finally here! Our Tropical Summer Vibes Staff Party is happening TODAY, Tuesday, June 24, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Warehouse Venue.

Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring:

• A live DJ
• A delicious sit-down dinner
• Exciting prizes
• Plenty of space to relax, mingle, and connect with colleagues across the organization.

We can’t wait to see you there!

For any questions regarding this event, please reach out to Mary at man@circleofcare.com.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | June 26-29, 2025

• • What: Pride Parade Toronto 
  • Where: Along Yonge Steet, closures downtown.
  • When: Thursday, June 26 to Sunday, June 29

If you are changing your direct deposit information, please inform Payroll well before the pay processing cut-off date. You can find the pay processing dates here.

Failure to update Payroll promptly may result in a rejected deposit and a $35.00 fee deducted from your pay.

Please double-check all new information entered in Dayforce for accuracy.

Appointments must be booked through our vendor, First Aid Care, and can be booked online or by calling 905-272-9214. 

• Full name
• Email address
• Location
• Preferred training session time

Our Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) has identified workplace violence and harassment as a ‘medium risk’ for community employees and developed annual training and communication to raise awareness and support employee safety.

All employees have been enrolled into an e-learning course through Dayforce that focuses on Workplace Violence and Harassment. We ask that all employees complete this mandatory e-learning module by September 30, 2025. 

For step-by-step instructions on how to access e-learning, click here.

For more information, please review our relevant policies:

• Workplace Violence
• Workplace Harassment

Circle of Care is committed to promoting safe care. That’s why we run a yearly Hand Hygiene Survey to better understand what’s going well and where more support might be needed.

• 2025 Hand Hygiene Results
• Hand Hygiene Policy

Wildfire smoke can pose health risks, so as a precaution, local air quality should be monitored through the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI).

For official updates on forest fires, visit the Ontario Forest Fire Info Page.

How to Stay Safe: 

• Reduce outdoor exposure when smoke levels are high.
• Close windows on smoky days.
• Have an emergency plan.

Did you know that summer sun is a great natural source of vitamin D, which boosts your mood and supports your immune system?

For more summer wellness tips, look here!

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%).

As a member, your perks are:

• No enrolment fee
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | GoodLife Fitness

Questions? Contact HRDept@circleofcare.com

Take control of your finances and reduce stress with practical tips from RBC experts. Learn how effective budgeting and financial planning can support your long-term goals.

• When: July 23, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
• Where: Online

Use these tips to protect your body and prevent injuries. 

Standing Tips:

• Keep feet flat and shoulder-width apart
• Avoid locking your knees
• Maintain good posture – shoulders down, back straight
• Shift positions often and stretch regularly
• Wear supportive, non-slip shoes

Lifting Tips:

• Stand close to the object with feet staggered
• Bend at hips and knees – not your waist
• Keep your back straight and object close to your body
• Avoid twisting while lifting
• Use leg and arm muscles to lift, push, or pull

We are pleased to welcome the following new PSWs to Circle of Care:

• Samickshya Shrestha
• Shantea Bryan
• Stella Oladipupo
• Wardat Mohamed
• Maizie Bielak
• Marie May Tagsa
• Josphine Wakonyu
• Abigeal Agogo
• Leonida Pambid

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.

If you have concerns about a client/situation or questions about your role, we encourage you to contact your Client Services Supervisor.

I don’t understand well the “every other weekend” working policy. Can I do either 2 Saturdays or 2 Sundays in a month? I just don’t get it because my coordinator said if I am working only one weekend in a week I should work all Saturdays. I only have Sunday as my day off and I wanted to work every other Saturday. Please I need clarity.

According to our Collective Agreement, new hires (hired after April 1, 2017) will be required to be available to work every other weekend.  Employees must provide a minimum of eight (8) hours of availability over two (2) weekend days, every other weekend.   Please refer to the Collective Agreement for more information.  If you have a specific question or want more clarity regarding your current situation, please feel free to contact Human Resources at HRDept@circleofcare.com.

Can you work as both a PSW and a homemaker? Because I am trying to get more hours, so maybe I could do it this way.

Unfortunately, you cannot work under two job classifications simultaneously.  If you are seeking additional hours or if you are open to working additional hours in a different caseload area, please speak with your coordinator to explore available opportunities.

What is happening to our hours? I am not getting not even 20hrs per week as a full time staff.

We are sorry to hear about your experience. Without understanding your specific situation, we cannot know why it is exactly that you are not being scheduled for more hours. We strongly encourage you to reach out to your Service Coordinator, as they understand your particular schedule and can explain why you are not getting more hours (and/or can add more hours to your schedule).

Why doesn’t Circle of Care pay for the Easter holidays?

Good Friday is recognized as a statutory holiday in Ontario, however, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are not.  Under the Employment Standards Act (ESA), employers in Ontario are not required to provide Easter Sunday and Easter Monday as mandated public holiday for employees.  Please refer to the Employment Standards Act in Ontario for more information.

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.