Daily COVID-19 digest

Save the date — live Q&A with Graham: Please join us on Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. ET for the next live Q&A with our CEO. We want to continue to make these sessions as engaging as possible. With over 1000 of you taking time out of your day to attend our last live event, we hope to see the same amount of engagement next week, so we can continue discussions on topics that are top of mind for you. In our most recent townhall survey, you told us that you are enjoying the Microsoft Teams experience, so we will continue to use this platform to run these events going forward. An Outlook invite will be sent to you in the coming days with the details on how to participate. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Supporting our employees who are primary caregivers:

As government’s start to roll out their transition plans you may be wondering how this may affect you. With many schools and daycares closed across the country, we recognize that we are still operating in an uncertain environment. We want to remind you about the supportive measures we have in place to help you manage your personal and work commitments.

Employees who are the primary caregivers to a family member and cannot reasonably arrange for alternate care will continue to be paid at their regular rate (exclusive of premiums, non-statutory payments in lieu and overtime). While we know it is not always possible, we ask that those in this situation who can work virtually, make reasonable attempts to balance care and remote work. We understand this is hard and encourage you to speak to your supervisor or manager if you need to discuss your workload and the options available to help you manage the added stresses. If you are caring for a loved one who requires medical attention, you are not required to provide documentation.

We are constantly assessing our support available for employees during this challenging time. While these measures are subject to change, they are currently in place until further notice while we navigate the challenges of the pandemic together. 

Wellness Wednesday: When it comes to getting around during COVID-19, interest in cycling has seen a significant surge globally. We are increasingly turning to cycling as a mode of transportation, daily dose of exercise, and as a favourite weekend activity, all rolled into one. Whether you’re a bicycling beginner or a cycling pro it’s always a good idea to do an annual bicycle tune-up is before you hit the open road. That’s why Claude Guimont, Manager, Learning & Development is here to take you through a practical cycling refresher. In this week’s installment of Wellness Wednesday, Claude, an avid cyclist, will lead you through some quick tips on how to fit your bike, how to select the right frame size and how to make just the right adjustments to ensure a smooth ride.

Question of the day: Can you provide us with an update on COVID-positive staff?

We have an important obligation to protect the privacy of employees and donors regarding their personal health information. At this time, we can confirm that we have had two cases where employees have tested positive for COVID-19. In each circumstance, we have supported those affected by following the guidance provided by the appropriate public health authorities. In addition, we have followed internal protocols to ensure the affected areas are disinfected and that employees who are in close contact are notified.

About the daily digest

This daily digest will highlight the latest policy and employee support measures, resources to help you manage our new reality and original content like articles and videos to remind us that what we do matters. Things are moving quickly, so you can expect to hear from us daily. No access to email? No problem — all this information and more can be found on blood.ca/employees from any device, no login required.

Click here to read past editions of the daily digest.

Have questions? Check out blood.ca/employees or email us at communications@blood.ca.