Inside the Circle – July 8, 2025

Festival of India Parade

• When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
• Where: Yonge Street from Yonge-Dundas Square to Queens Quay will be closed, impacting TTC services.

Honda Indy

• When: July 18-20, 2025 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
• Where: Lake Shore Boulevard West will be closed from Strachan Avenue to British Columbia Drive, with increased traffic and impacting TTC services.

Under the Collective Agreement, you are eligible to participate in the Group RRSP Matching Program. 

Full-time employees may receive an annual employer matching contribution of up to $300, and part-time employees may receive up to $150. To qualify, employees must have 12 months of seniority by December 31 of the contribution year.

Participation in the plan is voluntary.

If you’re interested in joining, please contact Payroll at payroll@circleofcare.com.

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

All employees have been enrolled in an e-learning course through Dayforce that focuses on Workplace Violence and Harassment.

If you haven’t already done so, please make arrangements to complete this by September 5, 2025. You will be paid 30 minutes of training time.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to access e-learning.

Circle of Care is committed to preventing workplace violence and harassment and ensuring a safe environment for all employees.

Our Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) has assessed the risk for community staff as ‘medium risk,’ and in response, we’ve launched annual training, risk assessments, and awareness campaigns.

In the past 3 months, 19 incidents of workplace violence or harassment were reported, mostly involving clients and employees. Our JHSC tracks all reports and ensures proper follow-up. You can review meeting minutes for more details on incidents and actions taken.

Workplace violence by or against anyone is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Everyone at Circle of Care is expected to help prevent it and uphold a safe environment.

If you encounter any situations where you are experiencing violence or harassment, whether in the community or at a client’s home, please ensure you take the proper steps to get yourself to safety, and call the office/your CSS to report the incident.

Our Policies:

• Workplace Violence and Harassment Program
• Safe Operating Procedure – Working Alone
• Safe Operating Procedure – Client Aggression
• Workplace Violence Policy
• Workplace Harassment Policy

Strong verbal communication is key when a client is upset. Here are some simple strategies to help:

• Start neutrally – Ask, “How can I help?” to keep the tone calm.
• Show interest – Focus on the client and listen closely.
• Stay calm and polite – Be respectful, no matter their mood.
• Introduce yourself – Use their name to build a connection.
• Show empathy – Acknowledge their feelings (“I can see you’re upset.”)
• Listen actively – Don’t interrupt.
• Repeat key points – Confirm you understand their concerns.
• Keep it simple – Avoid technical terms or jargon.

Summer heat means it’s time to up your water intake. Staying hydrated helps your body digest food, regulate temperature, and transport nutrients.

Most adults need 9–12 cups of fluids daily, but needs vary based on age, activity, and health. Children and older adults are at a higher risk of dehydration—watch for signs like dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.

Just a reminder that our GoodLife Fitness Corporate Membership is still going strong! Circle of Care employees can enjoy a 25% discount on any GoodLife Fitness membership with $0 enrollment fee.

When you’re ready to register, make sure you have your employee ID handy. Your employee ID number (not your voicemail or badge number) can be found in your Dayforce profile or at the top of your paystub. If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to our HR team HRDept@circleofcare.com for assistance. 

Ready to get started?

• Rewards & Contests | GoodLife Fitness
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | GoodLife Fitness

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

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.

I would like to ask about the Global Benefits. If I didn’t make the 1300 hours this year, will my health insurance from Global Benefits be cut?

Thank you for your question. Yes, if you did not meet the 1,300 hours requirement as outlined in the collective agreement, your health insurance coverage with benefits will end effective January 1 of the new year.

Can I get a replacement for a company identification card if the one I was given got lost or damaged?

Yes, you can replace your company ID card if it’s lost or damaged. Visit our main office at 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 401, during business hours (Monday–Friday), and our team will assist you with issuing a new one.

Are there any options to download my pay stub and have a print copy?

Yes, there is a way to download and print your paystub. You must access it through Dayforce. From there, click on “Earnings,” then select the paystub you would like to print. For more details, please visit: All About My Pay.

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.