Inside the Circle – August 12, 2025

Just a reminder that you’re invited to explore our new Strategic Plan, which will guide our organization for the next 5 years. With the launch of this plan, Circle of Care is setting a bold course for the future—embracing innovation, adaptability, and forward-thinking approaches to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

• When: Monday, August 18 at 12:00 PM to Tuesday, August 19 at 4:00 PM
• Where: Head Office (4211 Yonge Street) 

Drop in anytime to:

• Explore key elements of the plan through interactive boards and a photo corner.
• Share what excites you most and reflect on your role in our future.
• Chat with members of our leadership team.
• Connect with colleagues and have fun!

Whether you have 10 minutes or 30, stop by and get inspired about our future—together.

Canadian National Exhibition 

• When: August 15 – September 1, 2025
• Where: Significant transit and road closures around Exhibition Place.

Working alone in community care can carry unique risks. Knowing what to watch for and how to protect yourself is essential. Watch the webinar recording above to boost your safety awareness and learn practical health and safety tips.

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to your health, so it’s important for all employees to check their local air quality using the Weather App and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). When there is an Air Quality Alert, try to stay indoors if smoke levels are high, or wear a face mask if you need to be outside. On smoky days, keep windows closed and make sure you have an emergency plan in place.

Here are some resources to keep you safe:

• Air Quality Health Index
• Be Prepared for an Emergency
• Ontario Forest Fires

Circle of Care employees are able to purchase discounted tickets to the CNE this summer (purchase by August 14 for 47% off).

To buy tickets: Canadian National Exhibition Tickets | AuthentiGATE

Access Code: 2025HH4M6F67

Find answers to common HR (Human Resources) questions and access contact details for HR, PSW Recruitment, Health, Safety, and Wellness, and Learning & Development.

Unconscious biases, while often unintentional, can have large consequences.

This short video explains:

• What is an unconscious bias?
• How it can harm others (such as through microaggressions).
• Simple steps to recognize and reduce unconscious biases.

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.

Most PSWs have waist pain due to the nature of the job. Can clients be encouraged to get a functional bed that can be controlled to our waist level to ease off too much of bending over? A client refuses to take her bed up to my waist level with the excuse that bringing her bed up and down can spoil the monitor of her bed.

We encourage you to speak to your CSS about this. While our clients’ preferences matter, staff and client safety must come first. If your client has an adjustable bed and refuses to let you adjust it, your supervisor should be able to intervene and help you get the support you need.

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.