Your digest

Reminders

• In case you missed it, watch the recording of the wellness workshop “Tips for Managing Seasonal Stress & Connecting with Joy”, held on Dec. 1. Led by our own wellness and recognition specialist, Christina Warrysh, the session explored creative and effective ways to reduce stress, connect with calm, create joy and look after your whole self this season.
• Employees who are eligible for extended health and dental coverage with Manulife are reminded that claims incurred in 2020 must be submitted to the insurance carrier no later than Dec. 31, 2021 for payment.

Dec. 16 town hall panelists announced

Our next live town hall will take place on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. ET. We’re pleased to announce that our new chief diversity officer, Dr. Yasmin Razack, will be joining CEO Dr. Graham Sher and returning expert panelists Dr. Kathryn Webert, medical director and special advisor and Dr. Isra Levy, vice-president of medical affairs and innovation for this final live Q&A event of the year. As always, you are encouraged to submit questions on any and all topics that are top of mind during the live event or in advance. You can send your email or video questions 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 Dec. 16, 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 your COVID-19 employee portal within 24 hours.

One driver’s four-day odyssey through B.C.’s flooding crisis

When Vancouver driver Samer Mohamed set out for Kamloops, B.C., to collect blood from a mobile event on Nov. 14, he expected to be home by bedtime. “Before I left in the morning, everything was fine,” Samer recalls. “There was just a warning of heavy rain.” But flooding, mudslides and road closures turned the trip into an ordeal that lasted nearly four full days. One of the mudslides he narrowly missed killed five other people. You can read Samer’s story on Connect. Do you know of another employee, donor or volunteer who has gone to exceptional lengths to support Canada’s Lifeline through the crisis in B.C.? Drop us a line at communications@blood.ca if you’d like to share their story.

Live education event promotes organs and tissues for life

All employees are invited to attend the live, interactive event: Introduction to the Organs and Tissues for Life Education Portal on Monday Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. ET. The virtual session will be hosted by two experts from our organ and tissue donation and transplant team, Peggy John, associate director, program operations and Jenny Ryan, manager, program operations. During the session, Peggy and Jenny will introduce you to the resources available on this new portal that can help you have important conversations with your own family about organ and tissue donation. On Dec. 13, click the link in your Outlook invite to join the event live. This session will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.

Reducing inequalities and advancing human rights

Today we join with organizations around the world in celebrating Human Rights Day. Observed every year on Dec. 10, this day highlights the universal and inalienable rights that every individual is entitled to, without discrimination. The 2021 theme, Equality – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights, focuses on addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination and inequalities that affect the most vulnerable people in societies, including women and girls, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, migrants, and people with disabilities.

Canadian Blood Services is dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace where all people are treated fairly and with respect and dignity. We have dedicated policies and programs in place that promote and protect human rights and prevent discrimination, along with a library of resources that raise awareness about the impact of discrimination and inequalities. We are also taking necessary steps to further evolve our practices and policies and address systemic discrimination and racism within our organization. We recognize that our future requires a significantly more diverse donor and registrant base in order to meet complex, evolving and underserved patient needs, as well as a workforce that more fully reflects Canada’s population. Find out more about our journey at blood.ca/DEI.

Question of the Day: I keep hearing about Canadian Blood Services’ new employee resource groups — can you share more information about their purpose and structure? 

Last year, employees told us through the diversity, equity and inclusion survey and focus groups that they wanted to see more employee resource groups (ERGs) at our organization.  

These groups can be a powerful tool to promote belonging, dignity and justice by bringing employees together to share their lived experiences and perspectives with each other, as well as with our organization’s leaders. They are a key component of our five-year strategic plan and part of our broader efforts to cultivate a safe, healthy and respectful workplace where all employees feel included, valued and supported.

So far, we have ERGs for 2SLGBTQIA+ employees; employees who are Black, Indigenous, and people of colour; women in senior leadership; and the Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities (AVID) ERG. Each of the groups meet virtually once a month, with opportunities to engage in between sessions.  

If you are interested in joining one (or more) of our ERGs – or are looking for more information – please email DEI@blood.ca. You can find further resources on Connect.

 

 

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.

Click here to read past editions of your digest. 

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