Component 4 - Health Supports Available Through Employer Benefits
COVID-19 update: Health supports available through employer benefits – Mar 30
As we continue to work together as a province to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that whether you are working on the front lines or are in self-isolation at home, you may be experiencing mental and emotional strain. Your union is working hard to support you when it comes to your rights as a union member, but we also encourage you to take advantage of the employee assistance program (EAP) or Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) that should be available to you through your employment benefits as well.
These programs generally offer off-site, confidential and voluntary counselling, consultation and online wellness services at no cost to you. Below is a list of these resources and other information by health authority:
Fraser Health
The Fraser Health[1] employee assistance program (EAP) provides professional, confidential support services and programs for Fraser Health employees.
Your EAP toll-free number is 1-844-880-9142 available 24/7, 7 days a week.
Interior Health
Access your Guide to Employee Health & Wellness Services here[2] or visit https://interiorhealth.lifespeak.com/welcome (password: wellness). You can also contact the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Crisis Support Line[3] at 1-844-751-2133.
Northern Health
Through your employment benefits you have access to an Employee & Family Assistance Program.[4] This is an off-site, confidential, voluntary, short-term counseling program provided for employees to deal with a range of personal, family and workplace concerns. These services are provided to employees at no cost.
Vancouver Coastal Health
The Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)[5] provides cutting edge and confidential Counselling, Critical Incident and Wellness Services to healthcare employees and their immediate families. At this time, some calls to EFAP may not be getting through due to overwhelmed phone circuits. Please use the online request form.[6]
Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)
Your Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP),[7] Homewood Health, is there to provide support as we navigate the personal and collective impacts of this pandemic. Mental and emotional support is critical at this point in time, especially with increasing numbers of our community members in self-isolation. Homewood's services can be accessed by calling 1-800-663-1142 or online at https://homeweb.ca/
Psychological safety advisors who are part of the Occupational Health & Safety Team are available to provide check-ins with staff who are self-isolating. While they are not counsellors or psychologists, they can provide information and referral services as well as support connecting with resources that may be of benefit while dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 and self-isolation. Check-ins will be provided at the request of the employee – email: [email protected]
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
Any PHSA employee (full-time, part-time or casual) or dependent family member can access the Employee & Family Assistance Program[8] (EFAP) services and resources from Homewood Health free of charge, with all services completely private and confidential. Homewood's services can be accessed by calling 1-800-663-1142 or online at https://homeweb.ca/
Take care of yourselves and thank you so much for your dedication in taking care of British Columbians. It’s because of you that we will get through this together.
If you have specific questions about COVID-19, please send your inquiries to [email protected]. If you want to review current information from the BCGEU on COVID-19 please go to our information hub at www.bcgeu.ca/covid.
In solidarity,
Mahen Ramdharry
Component 4 Vice-President
UWU/MoveUP
Component 8 - Health Supports Available Through Employer Benefits
COVID-19 update: Health supports available through employer benefits – Mar 30
As we continue to work together as a province to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that whether you are working on the front lines or are in self-isolation at home, you may be experiencing mental and emotional strain. Your union is working hard to support you when it comes to your rights as a union member, but we also encourage you to take advantage of the employee assistance program (EAP) or Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) that should be available to you through your employment benefits as well.
These programs generally offer off-site, confidential and voluntary counselling, consultation and online wellness services at no cost to you. Below is a list of these resources and other information by health authority:
Fraser Health
The Fraser Health[1] employee assistance program (EAP) provides professional, confidential support services and programs for Fraser Health employees.
Your EAP toll-free number is 1-844-880-9142 available 24/7, 7 days a week.
Interior Health
Access your Guide to Employee Health & Wellness Services here[2] or visit https://interiorhealth.lifespeak.com/welcome (password: wellness). You can also contact the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Crisis Support Line[3] at 1-844-751-2133.
Northern Health
Through your employment benefits you have access to an Employee & Family Assistance Program.[4] This is an off-site, confidential, voluntary, short-term counseling program provided for employees to deal with a range of personal, family and workplace concerns. These services are provided to employees at no cost.
Vancouver Coastal Health
The Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)[5] provides cutting edge and confidential Counselling, Critical Incident and Wellness Services to healthcare employees and their immediate families. At this time, some calls to EFAP may not be getting through due to overwhelmed phone circuits. Please use the online request form.[6]
Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)
Your Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP),[7] Homewood Health, is there to provide support as we navigate the personal and collective impacts of this pandemic. Mental and emotional support is critical at this point in time, especially with increasing numbers of our community members in self-isolation. Homewood's services can be accessed by calling 1-800-663-1142 or online at https://homeweb.ca/
Psychological safety advisors who are part of the Occupational Health & Safety Team are available to provide check-ins with staff who are self-isolating. While they are not counsellors or psychologists, they can provide information and referral services as well as support connecting with resources that may be of benefit while dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 and self-isolation. Check-ins will be provided at the request of the employee – email: [email protected]
Lookout Housing and Health Society
Please visit LifeWorks[8] to access your employee assistance and wellness programs or call 1-877-207-8833.
RainCity Housing and Support Society
Please visit LifeWorks[9] to access your employee assistance and wellness programs or call 1-877-207-8833.
Take care of yourselves and thank you so much for your dedication in taking care of British Columbians. It’s because of you that we will get through this together.
If you have specific questions about COVID-19, please send your inquiries to [email protected]. If you want to review current information from the BCGEU on COVID-19 please go to our information hub at www.bcgeu.ca/covid.
In solidarity,
Scott DeLong
Component 8 Vice-President
UWU/MoveUP
COVID-19 and Droplet Borne Viruses Risk Identification and Exposure Control Plan TemplateCOVID-19 and Droplet Borne Viruses Risk Identification and Exposure Control Plan Template from B.C.'s Public Service Agency
Please click the link below to download the PDF of COVID-19 and Droplet Borne Viruses Risk Identification and Exposure Control Plan Template from the PSA - B.C.'s Public Service Agency.
UWU/MoveUP
ACT NOW - Pick your preferred worksite- members working in Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Provincial Mental Health or Acute Care
The Provincial Health Officer has ordered that movement between worksites by health care workers must be limited to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the current pandemic. The Provincial Health Office has the right to assign employees to worksites, and worksite preference will be considered, but not guaranteed. You will need to register if:
- You work in any of Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Provincial Mental Health Facility (e.g.Forensic) or Acute Care; AND
- You work in more than one worksite in any of the above settings; AND
- You want to indicate a preference for the worksite you will be assigned to.
The Provincial Health Officer has set a DEADLINE OF 5:00 pm, SUNDAY MARCH 29 for health care workers to register their worksite preference on an online staffing registry at www.bchealthstaffing.ca
In order to accomplish the important task of ensuring that the limited staff resource is provided equally to all facilities in order to best respond to the public health crisis that is COVID-19, a centralized staffing registry is being built in the Provincial Health Office.
If you only work at one worksite, you do not need to do anything at this time. You will continue to work at your current worksite.
Thank you for your incredible efforts to continue to provide vital health care services in the midst of this public health crisis.
If you have specific questions about COVID-19, please send your inquiries to [email protected] If you want to review current information from the BCGEU on COVID-19 please go to our information hub at www.bcgeu.ca/covid.
UWU/MoveUP
COVID-19 Update: Single Site Staffing
The Provincial Health Officer has ordered that movement between worksites by health care workers in some health care settings must be limited to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the current pandemic.
This order only affects you if you work in any of these four health care settings:
If you work in one of the above health care settings in addition to Community Health, you'll be contacted by another BCGEU email and your employer about what to do.
There is no restriction on working in Community Health, even if you work in one of the affected health care settings listed above.
Thank you for your incredible efforts to continue to provide vital health care services in the midst of this public health crisis.
If you have specific questions about COVID-19, please send your inquiries to [email protected] If you want to review current information from the BCGEU on COVID-19 please go to our information hub at www.bcgeu.ca/covid.
UWU/MoveUP
Component 1 - Information sharing
COVID-19 update: Information sharing
Twice weekly conference calls have been scheduled between the Adult Custody Division (ACD) component VP Dean Purdy. Conference calls with Sheriff Services and Youth Custody are also being scheduled.
Component 1 executive has scheduled weekly conference calls. The frequency of the calls will be increased if necessary. A conference call for OH&S co-chairs working in jails is scheduled for today. We anticipate these will also continue weekly or when requested.
Dean will continue to update the component 1 executive (local chairs) who will send the information to their respective local executives, shop stewards and OHS committee's.
All important information will be shared with members as soon as possible.
Occupational Health and Safety
It is important that OHS committees at all worksites meet regularly and, if they have not done so already, initiate worksite specific exposure control plans which should include:
- Putting in place separate living units in all jails and sheriff cells for both new intakes and symptomatic inmates and prisoners. This requires two separate living units or cells.
Local 104 chair Brandon Cox, local 105 chair Krissie Hayes and BCGEU OH&S staff rep Brian Campbell are working with the ACD conducting a province-wide risk assessment of isolation living units for inmates who are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19.
- Limiting the capacity of all living units to 40, including officers, and single bunking inmates.
ACD says it is trying to single bunk all inmates, but the ability to do so is impacted by numbers and the size of the facility.
- Social distancing inmates and officers.
This item should be amongst the local OH&S committees' highest priorities. Clear guidelines should be in place regarding social distancing between inmates, and between inmates and officers, including: markings on floors and plexiglas separation barriers on officers' desks.
- Prohibiting large congregations of inmates or prisoners.
- Implementing, to the extent possible, social distancing guidelines in musters. Consider a staggered process or changes over with two officers reading the muster report together on the living unit.
- Postponing use of force training that violates the social distancing guidelines.
- Developing protocols for applying cuffs, belly chains and leg irons.
- Taking steps to ensure that there is a sufficient supply and proper usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Given the close conditions you are often required to work in, it is critical that there be an adequate supply of PPE. We will continue to pursue this issue in calls with your employers.
What if you can't work?
Currently public service employees who are unable to work due to COVID-19, whether sick or otherwise required to self-isolate, are entitled to receive STIIP benefits of 75% pay. Our union is advocating on your behalf to be able to receive full pay when told to self-isolate or when you become infected with COVID-19.
Members who are actually infected with COVID-19 through workplace exposure, should file a STIIP claim immediately, and also file a WorkSafeBC claim.
Please check the BCGEU and Government of BC websites for further COVID-19 pay related information.
Childcare
Unfortunately, a comprehensive childcare plan for component 1 members who provide essential services is not yet in place. If you are facing difficult childcare issues please contact your supervisor as a first step. If you require further assistance, contact the BCGEU.
Our union advocating forcefully on this issue on your behalf.
Going forward
The BCGEU and your component 1 executive is continuing to advocate for all steps required to keep you safe and secure at work, and will keep you updated on any COVID-19 related information important to you as it arises.
Raise any COVID-19 concerns or suggestions with your employer and your local union representative, or contact the BCGEU at any time at [email protected] .
In solidarity,
Dean Purdy
Component 1 Chair & BCGEU Vice President
UWU/MoveUP
COVID-19 update: Essential services order/multiple worksites – Mar 27
On March 26, 2020 the BC Government used their extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act, to issue ministerial orders to ensure a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all levels of government. These orders have direct implications for workers in the Community Social Services Sector.
1. All Community Social Service Workers are Essential Service Workers under the Emergency Program Act
We have always known that the critical services and supports you provide to our most vulnerable members of British Columbia are "essential", and, of course under the Government's orders you have now been legally defined as essential to the functioning of our society in this pandemic.
The Government press release stated the following:
Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians rely on in their daily lives.
Developed by Emergency Management BC in consultation with other government ministries and the provincial health officer (PHO), this definition is intended to clarify what qualifies as an essential service in the context of the Province's response to COVID-19. In consultation with the PHO, these services should and are encouraged to remain open. They must, however, follow the orders and guidance provided by the PHO to ensure safe operations and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
The PHO has ordered some types of businesses to close. Any business or service that has not been ordered to close, and is also not identified on the essential service list, may stay open if it can adapt its services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the PHO.
Child care providers and schools providing care and/or in-class instruction for children are to prioritize placements for those children whose parents are employed as front-line workers in direct to public health and health services, social services, law enforcement, first responders and emergency response.
Specifically, essential services under the Emergency Program Act include all of the workers providing the services you provide in community social services. See here for the link to the full list of workers that the government has defined as essential to the maintenance of our Province.
What does it mean to be declared an essential service worker?
The work you do has been determined to be critical to the functioning of the Province and the Government has ordered that the agencies that deliver these services and support must remain open, wherever possible. Employers must still comply with all orders of the PHO and with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
2. Community Social Service Workers Can Work at Multiple CSS Worksites and for Multiple Employers
We know that the PHO, some Health Authorities and Community Care licensing have provided conflicting information to employers in the community social services sector. Now we have clear direction.
If you work at a long-term care facility anywhere in BC, you cannot work at another long-term care facility anywhere else. These are facilities that provide care to the elderly and are, typically, funded by the Ministry of Health. This order was made by the PHO to avoid the transmission of COVID-19 to vulnerable seniors in long-term care. There are very few of these long-term care facilities in the community social services sector.
However, if you work at a long-term care facility, you are permitted to work at any other worksite in the community social services sector or elsewhere. Other than the limitation on workers working at more than one long-term care facility, workers in the community social services sector are free to work for multiple employers and to work at multiple sites.
We know that some employers have been asking you for information about other employers that you work for or have been trying to compel you to select one employer. They cannot do this and they must cease and desist in trying to limit your employment in any way, other than mentioned above. If an employer persists in asking you for this type of information, please contact your steward or union representative for assistance immediately.
If you have specific questions about COVID-19, please send your inquiries to [email protected] If you want to review current information from the BCGEU on COVID-19 please go to our information hub at www.bcgeu.ca/covid.
UWU/MoveUP
Component 8 – Home support health and safety
COVID-19 Update: Home support health and safety – Mar 26
The past few days have been challenging for us all, and we have heard from you that the COVID-19 outbreak is causing significant fear and anxiety. We want to start by acknowledging the important work you do to ensure your clients are safe and healthy. You are on the frontlines of this crisis, and it is critical that your health and safety is protected too.
We are in close communication with the health authorities to share your concerns and ensure that you have the information and equipment you need to work safely. Here are some key reminders and additional information for you:
When caring for your clients, always follow the safe work procedures your employer has provided you. If you have any questions or concerns, stop and tell your supervisor immediately.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. If your client or family members are suspected or have tested positive for COVID-19, and are being isolated in their home, a higher level of caution and an up-to-date assessment of the risk to your health and safety is required. Patients that are suspected or positive for COVID should be managed with contact and droplet precautions, which includes putting on a gown, surgical/procedure mask, eye protection and gloves. Here is a more detailed explanation of the PPE requirements.
Your employer must provide you with the PPE that you need, and training on how to use it.
If you are not clear about the safe procedure for caring for your client and/or you do not have the PPE you need, stop and tell your supervisor immediately.
Encourage and support clients to practice hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene as much as possible. Regular handwashing and respiratory hygiene should be encouraged for all patients, and especially for patients who have signs and symptoms of an acute respiratory infection. Respiratory hygiene includes:
- Using tissues to cover the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing, with prompt disposal into a waste receptacle;
- Covering the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing against a sleeve/shoulder if a tissue is not available; and
- Wearing a mask when coughing or sneezing.
Tell your supervisor immediately if your client or other family members in the home show symptoms of COVID-19. If your client or other family members in the home have symptoms like coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat and/or difficulty breathing, notify your supervisor before entering the home. If you have already entered the home, ensure your client is safe, then go outside and notify your supervisor immediately.
The employer must assess if it is safe for you to enter the home. Has the employer provided you with training and safe work procedures to deal with a possible COVID-19 case? Has the employer provided you with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE)? Have you received training on how to don/doff PPE? Has the employer given you direction on how to dispose of contaminated materials? Your employer must answer these questions BEFORE you do the work.
What if my supervisor tells me to go ahead, but I still feel unsafe?
If you feel your health and safety is at risk, you must refuse unsafe work. This may be the case if you are not provided with the proper PPE, and/or you have not received safe written work procedures, clear instruction or adequate supervision to carry out the work safely.
The first step is to tell your supervisor that you are refusing unsafe work. Then, your supervisor must investigate, and either fix the problem, or explain to you why they believe the work is safe. Inform your union steward or Occupational Health and Safety representative when you refuse unsafe work, so they can help you go through the proper steps.
Your right to refuse unsafe work is the law in British Columbia. To learn more about the refusal of unsafe work process, click here: https://www.bcgeu.ca/your_right_to_refuse_unsafe_work
Wash your hands often with soap and water – using hand sanitizer is not a substitute for regular handwashing. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Provincial Health Officer, has stressed that the best way we can protect ourselves from COVID-19 infection is to wash our hands properly (20 seconds with soap and water).
Physically distance yourself from others as much as possible. Where possible, physically distance yourself from others by 2 metres or 6 feet. Physically distancing yourself is impossible when you care for your clients, so this is why it is critical you always follow the safe work procedures at your workplace.
If you feel ill, stay home, and tell your supervisor immediately. Here is a self-assessment tool that can help you determine if you may have the Covid-19 virus: https://bc.thrive.health/.
We applaud you for your compassion, dedication and courage during this unprecedented crisis. We are here to support you and to help protect your health and safety. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at [email protected]
More helpful resources can be found here:
BCGEU Covid-19 hub https://www.bcgeu.ca/covid
BC Government COVID-19 Support App https://bc.thrive.health/covid19app/home, or download from the App Store or Google Play
BC Centre for Disease Control http://covid-19.bccdc.ca/
Worksafe BC Covid-19 updates https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates
Public Health Agency of Canada Corona Virus https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
UWU/MoveUP
Hours Of Work For Those Working From Home During The COVID-19 Pandemic
These are exceptional and unusual times with the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. We know this has impacted many of you in different ways and as a union we are responding and assisting our members throughout this in various ways. If you have concerns about your safety or any other work related issue, please contact your Steward or Occupational Health & Safety Committee member(s). If you are unable to reach them, contact your BCGEU area office or the staff representative directly. You may also send an email to [email protected]. In addition, we have a micro site on COVID-19 that provides a lot of information, including relevant links to updates from government and WorkSafeBC. You can access this through www.bcgeu.ca/covid.
Given the unusual circumstances we are in, we encourage as many of the Component 20 members as possible to be working from home. This has raised concerns with respect to the hours of work of members working from home; whereas, they otherwise may be working in the field. It is recognized that accumulating Earned Time Off (ETO) is not necessary for some members when working from home.
To address the concern that ETO will accumulate without the ability to use it, we have agreed to a temporary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the hours of work that will be in place while this situation is occurring. That MOU includes a provision that Component 20 members can revert to a seven-hour day and 5:2 work schedule (Schedule #1) while they are 100% of the time working from home. For those members who do not accumulate ETO, your agreed-to work schedule remains. In addition, if you are required to work more than your seven scheduled hours, overtime provisions will apply (not ETO). For those members that use MOU#6 or 7.5 provisions for averaging, no changes to schedules are needed.
We wish everyone the best through this time and encourage everyone to keep up to-date on this situation (which you can do through our website) and stay safe.
In solidarity
Rob Davis, Vice President
Environmental, Technical & Operational Component
Frank N. Anderson, Regional Coordinator
BCGEU
Download PDF of notice here.
UWU/MoveUP
Components 6/12: MSDPR COVID update - BCGEU
Good afternoon everyone,
We have been monitoring the evolving COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation closely.
The role our ministry plays in supporting some of the most vulnerable people of British Columbia cannot be understated. It is our workforce that is critical to delivering essential services and ensuring that people who rely on us continue to receive the assistance they need.
The Union and the employer have been in constant communications during this evolving time, and it is recognized that this is a unique event that requires our cooperation and the collaboration of all of us.
The demands for services will continue to be high, and while we are eliminating as many non-essential tasks as possible, we will need a flexible response to keep up with intakes, phone calls and crisis requests. To meet these demands during this crisis, we will be reassigning some roles and individuals to critical duties as required. This could mean stream moves, or the reassignment of Adjudicators, Quality and Compliance Specialists and Community Integration Specialists.
Please note that any duties assigned to our included staff that go above their classification/pay grid will be compensated according to Article 27.4 - Substitution Pay. Any assignment of tasks in a lower pay grid will not result in any pay impacts and are not permanent.
Work is also underway to establish a roster of staff that will support our front-facing offices to stay open.
We are in unprecedented circumstances, and truly appreciate the flexibility and support our people continue to demonstrate in these challenging times.
Thank you,
Harbinder Gill
Article 29 BCGEU Co-Chair
Jonathan Dubé
Article 29 Employer Co-Chair
UWU/MoveUP
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