Important Updates & News
Pandemic Pay: The Provincial Government has apologized for the delays in processing the invoices and getting the funding to agencies, and they hope to have all the payments to agencies by January 31, 2021. As soon as it arrives in our bank account we will begin to process those payouts. It is taxable income but the only deductions that will be made from the pay are tax, EI and CPP. It will be paid to every employee who worked between March 15th and July 4th, 2020, even if they no longer work for Spectrum. If you have any questions, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org or ernie@spectrumsociety.org
Guusto – Holiday Gifts – Spectrum gave each employee who had worked in the last three months of the year a $30 present in a Guusto account, sent to their Spectrum email address. If you have yet to claim your gift, please do check your email. Your Spectrum email is easy to access on your computer or smartphone Microsoft Outlook app. There is also a password reset function that provides the option to change your password yourself. If you are having difficulty accessing your company email, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.
Social Gathering Restrictions Continue to February 5, 2021
“Like every part of Canada and countries around the world, the risk of spread of Covid 19 remains very high right now. In the last days, we have seen a slight increase in our cases, and our curve is trending upward. Now is our time to stay the course. We know what we need to do to bend that curve back down. We have been successful in doing that prior to this winter break and we need to do that again. As a result, our current provincial health orders on all gatherings and events have been extended through to February 5th, 2021 at midnight. This means that the same restrictions we have had on social gatherings in people’s homes, on all events at public venues and private venues, and the restrictions on sports events continue to apply.” – Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, January 7, 2021.
Yesterday Dr. Henry extended the public health orders that have been in place since November 19. As a reminder, this includes the following:
- Social visits are limited to the immediate household. No socializing with people outside your immediate household.
- For those who live alone, social visits with one or two close contacts are allowed.
- Meeting a friend for a walk outside is allowed.
- Masks now required in all indoor public and retail spaces, except when eating or drinking.
- Masks now required in common areas of office space. Masks not required when sitting at your desk if safe distancing is maintained.
- Masks not required if the person is unable to wear one due to their disability, or for children under the age of two.
- Employers to support and encourage working from home as much as possible.
- Essential workers and those who must go into the office should limit social interactions with co-workers before, during and after work.
- Active daily screening of all workers to ensure people are not coming to work with symptoms of Covid-19.
- No in-person services at places of worship. Funerals and weddings may proceed with maximum 10 people including the officiant, following safety guidelines.
- Indoor high intensity group fitness activities like hot yoga and spin classes are suspended.
- No spectators at indoor or outdoor sporting activities, and no group travel for these activities.
- Limit travel as much as possible unless it is essential. Stay within your local community as much as possible.
Covid-19 remains a serious risk to individuals we support and those who support them. While Spectrum has so far avoided an outbreak in any of our homes, several service providers in BC have had outbreaks. Just yesterday the CBC reported an outbreak in Vernon with 22 positive cases linked to a single group home:
Spectrum is committed to following the public health orders and ensuring the safety of individuals, staff and caregivers. We are committed to following the requirements laid out by CLBC and WorkSafe BC to provide safe supports to those we serve and a safe work environment for our employees. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked so hard over the past year to keep themselves and others safe. Your efforts are making a difference. We need everyone to continue to be vigilant.
Our expectation is that staff will follow all of the guidelines put in place by public health and as laid out in Spectrum’s policies and procedures. The homes where we provide support must be safe spaces for the people living there and for staff going into the homes. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the supervisor or feel free to call one of the coordinators, directors or HR. We are here to answer your questions any time.
“Brighter days are without a doubt ahead, when thousands more will be immunized from COVID-19 and the spread of the virus has slowed. Let’s work together now knowing what we do will make a difference for all of us tomorrow.”
Full BC Government Update here.
Vaccination Update
People with disabilities who live in group homes are going to be eligible for vaccines beginning in February 2021. CLBC and the health authorities are beginning to gather information to schedule vaccinations. One of the steps in preparation for vaccines is to understand the issues around consent for vaccination. Some people get their regular flu vaccine every year and understand the benefits and risks of vaccines and health care providers will be able to provide the Covid vaccine. Other people may not have clear communication or experience with vaccines and health care providers will ask for someone to assist with decision-making. Spectrum staff and caregivers cannot give consent for medical treatment, including vaccines. For people with representation agreements, the representative can assist the person with the decision to get the vaccine. Here is some information on the BC Centre For Disease Control about consent for vaccines.
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/clinical-resources/informed-consent-for-immunization
Scroll down to the Scenarios Section and select the 2 scenarios that say “Adult Who Can Give Consent” and “Adults Who Can’t Give Consent”.
Let us know if you have any questions.
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Supporting employees on their 2021 health journey with free Lumino Health Guides
Your employees may have different needs for their mental and physical health. No matter where they are in their health journey, you can help employees access the right resources at the right time. We’ll help you get there. Read More..
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It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home.
Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.
Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year? Now is a great time to order replacement items. Please note that WCB Level 1 First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.
Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home? Do you need more or less supplies?
Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?
If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.
It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored? Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.
(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)
When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.
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How to Register for Emergency First Aid Community Care:
Call St. John Ambulance: (604) 321-7242
- They above number is their main line, but they have a number of locations across the lower mainland if you would like to call a location directly: http://www.sja.ca/English/About-Us/Pages/Locations.aspx
- Register yourself for Emergency First Aid Community Care.
If you did not have your first aid certificate upon hire, you are responsible for the initial cost, which is currently $102.00, and Spectrum covers renewal fees.
- If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
- Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.
*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.
First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment.’
If requirements for employment are not met within a timely manner, shifts will be suspended without pay until this requirement is met. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:
Please respond back with your course date. Prior to attending the class please arrange a time to come to the office to receive your free face mask.
For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.
Please send your certificate of course completion to the Spectrum Society office to have your file updated.
Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing her at judy@spectrumsociety.org