Leaves of Absence, Time off and Employment Status
Q: Who do I contact if I want to request a Leave of Absence?
To request a leave of absence, or to request extended vacation time (beyond the 2 weeks max submitted through the mobile phone), please fill out our form.
Once submitted, your request will then be reviewed by HR and/or Client Services. You will be notified about the approval, or denial, or your leave.
Q: How many paid days off am I entitled to for bereavement?
An employee shall be granted one (1) day bereavement pay with the passing of their aunt or uncle, niece or nephew. An employee shall be granted four (4) days bereavement pay with the loss of a family member of the immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child, or grandparent), as per the Collective Agreement (Article 14.01).
Q: How do I qualify for full-time employment?
A full-time employee means an employee in the bargaining unit who works on average 25 hours per week or more. In order to qualify as a full-time employee, members need to work 1300 hours for the calendar year. Full-time employees are eligible for paid sick time and the health and benefits program as per the Collective Agreement (Article 21 & 23).
Employees are able to track the number of client-facing hours they are working year to date, by logging into the EZ Exalt app. A step-by-step guide has been compiled to show you how to do this: Accessing Sick Balances and Year to Date Hours Worked.pdf – Google Drive
Union Information, Group Benefit Information and Referring a Friend
Q: How do I make a referral for a job vacancy?
Please refer to the Employee Referral Program guidelines that are searchable on the portal and complete a form submission. You can also email your referral’s resume to referrals@circleofcare.com. If your referral is successful and you are eligible for a referral bonus you will be contacted. Unfortunately, we cannot provide updates as to a specific candidate’s status in the assessment process.
Q: What is the name of our union and how to I get in touch with a union rep?
All PSWs and Homemakers are part of the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 1.
Please be advised there are five (5) stewards who will be representing SEIU members:
| Liza Aquino | VM# 1183 |
| Edith Brown- Hinds | VM# 1098 |
| Odeth Campbell | VM# 1135 |
| Rowena Cerezo | VM# 1781 |
| Maria Cundangan | VM# 1187 |
We also have 1 union representative who works for SEIU and with Circle of Care. You can reach out to this union rep as well:
Delia Popo Harding
Office: (905) 695-1767 ext. 3352
Mobile: 416-919-4435
Email: d.popoharding@seiuhealthcare.ca
Q: When does our salary increase? Is it based on years of service or hours worked?
A: Salary increases are based on years of service. As outlined in Appendix “A “of the current collective agreement, wage rates increase at specific milestones, such as after one year and two years of service. Please review the agreement or contact HR for more information.
Q: Is it possible to increase our travel allowance given the rising cost of gas?
A: We recognize that the cost of travel has increased. While we cannot make immediate changes, your concerns have been noted, and we will continue to evaluate and consider adjustments as needed. We encourage you to raise this concern to your union rep.
Q: Am I eligible for the Group Benefits Program and/or Paid Sick Leave?
If you worked the pre-requisite 1300 hours in the previous calendar year,, you would be eligible for ‘full time’ employment status and the Group Benefit program.
Employees are able to track the number of client-facing hours they are working year to date, by logging into the EZ Exalt app. This will also display any sick time entitlements. A step-by-step guide has been compiled to show you how to do this: Accessing Sick Balances and Year to Date Hours Worked.pdf – Google Drive
If you have any additional questions specific to Group Benefits, please reach out to SEIU/Global Benefit at:
seiubenefittrust@globalben.com
416-635-6000
Q: I have been paying for healthcare benefits but haven’t received a benefits card. What should I do?
A: If you have not received your benefits card, please contact SEIU/Global Benefits directly at seiubenefittrust@globalben.com or call 416-635-6000.
Scheduling and working hours
Q: Why am I not getting enough hours even though I’m a full-time PSW?
A: Your hours are scheduled based on your availability, client needs, and your seniority, as outlined in the Collective Agreement. If you’re not getting enough hours, please contact your Service Coordinator to discuss your availability and any potential scheduling issues.
Q: Do I need to ask my Service Coordinator for more hours?
A: Yes, if you find that your hours are consistently low, it’s important to reach out to your Service Coordinator. They may not be aware of your availability or changes in your schedule, so keeping them informed helps ensure you get the hours you’re looking for.
Q: What is Circle of Care doing to improve PSW scheduling?
A: Circle of Care is committed to optimizing PSW schedules to better meet client needs and ensure PSWs receive their requested hours. We are continuously working on improving scheduling practices by considering factors like your availability, client needs, and minimizing travel time. If you have specific concerns about your schedule, please discuss them with your Service Coordinator.
Q: Why do clients keep changing on my schedule?
A: Client schedules can change due to a variety of factors, including changes in their care needs, preferences, or availability. While we try to maintain consistency, there are times when adjustments are necessary to meet the needs of all clients.
Q: Does Circle of Care pay more for statutory holidays?
A: Yes, Circle of Care pays a higher rate for working on statutory holidays. If you are required to work on these holidays and you qualify for holiday pay, you will receive your regular holiday pay plus one and one-half times your regular hourly rate for all hours worked. This policy applies to all statutory holidays. To qualify for holiday pay, you must meet other eligibility requirements as outlined in the Collective Agreement.
Q: How much paid time am I entitled to for my float days?
A: Full time employees will receive a maximum of 7 hours paid for their float day. Part time employees will receive a maximum payment of 3.5 hours paid for their float day. This payment will be based on client hours scheduled.
General Contact Information:
Please visit the Contact page to see the full list of contact information.
Additional information is also available via the Collective Agreement.