Your Digest
Update to Freedom 2022 cross-country protests and potential impacts to Canada’s blood supply
As many of us have seen in the news this week, the protests in Ottawa have continued in and around the city since last Saturday. There is recent news that convoys of trucks are headed to or are already in other areas of the country protesting the government’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
We want to reassure employees that we are watching the situation closely for possible impacts to our operations and have contingency plans in place to mitigate risks. While collection events and service to hospitals have not been impacted, we know some employees have experienced longer travel times getting to work. Should you have any questions or concerns about these protests or how your travel to and from work may be impacted, please reach out to your manager/supervisor. We also want to remind employees of the many resources available to you to support your mental health and well-being during these uncertain and challenging times. Our work saves lives, and we thank you for your dedication.
Submit your questions for next week’s live town hall
Our next live town hall event is coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. ET. This month, CEO Dr. Graham Sher will be joined by panelists Dr. Isra Levy, VP medical affairs and innovation, Rick Prinzen, chief supply chain officer and VP donor relations and Dr. Yasmin Razack, chief diversity officer. You can submit your email or video questions for Graham and panelists in advance to communications@blood.ca with the subject line “TOWNHALL” or record an audio question by phoning 1-800-509-3329. If you prefer to submit written questions anonymously, use this form (indicate “TOWNHALL” in the subject line). On Feb. 9, click the meeting link in your Outlook invite to join live. If you’re unable to make it, a recording of the event will be available on the employee portal within 24 hours.
Your opinions matter! Reminder to complete your employee surveys by the end of today
If you haven’t yet shared your feedback through our joint employee experience and brand health surveys, there’s still time! Visit blood.ca/employeesurvey to get your unique link. Everyone who completes the survey by the end of today (Friday, Feb. 4) can enter to win a Canadian Blood Services prize pack. Your input helps us better understand what further supports, resources, opportunities and initiatives are needed to foster a positive employee experience.
It is because of our ongoing commitment to creating an engaging and empowering employee experience that we received recognition this week as one of the National Capital Region’s top employers, a special designation resulting from our submission to Canada’s Top 100 Employers. Receiving an award for being a top employer demonstrates our priority to a safe, secure and thriving workplace. Read more about the award on Connect.
Rapid screening program now available for all on-site employees
All on-site employees can now pick-up rapid antigen tests for regular asymptomatic screening. Along with our existing safety protocols, including wearing masks, proper hand hygiene, practicing physical distancing and adhering to our wellness screening, regular screening through rapid testing can help:
- identify positive cases early including those with no symptoms
- prevent spread of COVID-19 in workplaces and community
- keep our essential operations running
Visit the rapid screening page for more information. Participation is voluntary; if you are interested in participating in the rapid screening program, please sign up here.
Question of the day: How can I become a better ally to my Black colleagues and help foster inclusion within the organization?
Participating in Black History Month through learning, reflection and celebration is an important way to help initiate change and foster Black inclusion, diversity and social justice within Canadian Blood Services. This February, employees are encouraged to read inspiring stories from Black donors, recipients, employees and volunteers. You can also engage with important resources on inclusion, education and anti-Black racism. You may even want to attend an educational webinar like the Feb. 17 session History of race and racism in Canada, offered by our partners at the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.
On Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. ET, Dr. Yasmin Razack, our chief diversity officer, will facilitate a special session, Recognizing and addressing microaggressions. This session will explore the impact of those negative messages and actions that are directed to marginalized groups while offering insights on how to identify and address them in our work environments. Register here.
As we celebrate Black history and excellence this month, we commit to further evolving our practices and policies and to creating safer, equitable and more inclusive places, spaces and communities for all. As a community, we are called to individual and organizational accountability and action to address anti-Black racism in all its forms and actively advance Black inclusion. Explore more resources on Connect and read about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at blood.ca/DEI.
About Your Digest
This digest highlights the latest policy and employee support measures, resources to help you manage our new reality and original content to remind us that what we do matters. This information can be found on blood.ca/employees from any device, no login required.
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Have questions? Check out blood.ca/employees or email us at communications@blood.ca.