Violence Prevention Workshop
Learn practical applications to identify risk factors of violence and de-escalation techniques at a Violence Prevention Workshop on Friday, August 25, 2023. Space is limited. Register soon!
The Culture – Sick Leave and Missed Scans
Volume 2023.12
To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Melissa Francis, Director of People & Culture
1. Sick Leave- Policy Reminder
As we strive to ensure the well-being of all our employees, we want to remind you of our company’s sick leave policy. If you are feeling unwell and unable to report to work, please follow the following steps:
- Notify the staffing team as soon as possible.
- Submit a sick leave request through our official system or any other designated method.
- Include relevant details such as the reason for leave and the expected duration.
Please remember to provide a doctor’s note if you are absent formore than 3 consecutive days. Under Menno’s Sick leave Policy ( AP3.18), under section 3.10
‘For more than three (3) days of illness, a Doctor’s note will be required’ This will be enforced moving forward, and will start with the staffing team or your manager making this request.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to your manager or the HR department. Your health is of utmost importance to us, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to our sick leave policy.
2. Missed Scans & Staffing Requirements
The People & Culture team wants to remind you that scanning in and out for shifts is essential. We have seen that many employees who arrive late will look to simply wait to sign out instead of signing in.
We can not stress how important it is for all staff to complete the missed scan forms if they miss any sign-in times. If you have any questions about this I would encourage you to speak with staffing or the HR team.
Notice: Fire in Terrace East 5th Floor
Terrace East 5th Floor Fire – August 7, 2023
In the morning of August 7th, there was a small fire in a resident suite in Terrace East on the fifth floor. The smoke alarm and sprinkler system were activated. The Fire Department was called and responded immediately. The resident was safely evacuated from the suite and no one was injured. Menno Place team leaders were onsite and called the restoration company to assess the damage.
Twelve residents were evacuated from their suites due to water damage. They were brought to the dining room and as of 10:00 this morning all but two have returned home to their suites. The two who cannot yet return have been made comfortable in temporary suites. All Terrace East residents are receiving care as usual according to their care plans.
The primary contacts of each of these residents have been called and updated and all residents received a memo Monday afternoon to keep them informed. If residents or family members come to you with questions please direct them to Leonard Klassen 6041-851-4006.
We are pleased that the fire emergency plan we have in place worked as anticipated, ensuring the immediate safety of all the residents in the Terrace East building. Menno Place has a dedicated Building Systems and Emergency Coordinator, David Janzen, who has been key to the preparedness of our staff for an incident like this.
All the staff and emergency systems responded as they should and we thank staff for their assistance in this situation. Several family members also expressed their appreciation for the way staff handled the residents who needed to be evacuated. There are no restrictions on visitors to Terrace East at this time however we ask all staff to stay out of the suite where the fire occurred.
Media Interest
If the media approaches you for your thoughts or comments on this incident, we remind you that Menno Place only has one spokesperson to the media – CEO, Sujata Connors. Direct any enquiries to her.
Staff Support
A fire is a traumatic event, even when all emergency response systems work quickly and correctly. If you would like to talk to someone about your experience or any feelings of unease you may be having please reach out to your supervisor, or Melissa, Director of People and Culture, or FSEAP – Employee & Family Assistance Programs – Confidential Counselling Services 1.800.667.0993
Grandparents Day on September 9th, 2023 – Volunteer Opportunities
Menno Place is celebrating grandparents with a fun-filled afternoon for our residents and their families on September 9th! Bring your families to join in on the fun or consider volunteering to make this event a success!
Violence Prevention Workshop
Learn practical applications to identify risk factors of violence and de-escalation techniques at a Violence Prevention Workshop on Friday, August 25, 2023. Space is limited. Register soon!
Welcome to Kristina – Recruitment and Talent Specialist
Please welcome Kristina to the HR team as our new Recruitment and Talent Specialist!
Hymn Stories – August 2023
The beloved gospel hymn, All The Way My Savior Leads Me, written by Franny Crosby was the expression of gratitude to God after a direct and peculiar answer to prayer. Find out more about this hymn!
Click to listen.
Summer Update for Menno Apartments
I am grateful for every tenant living at Menno Place, and for every staff member who works here. I want to inform you of what is happening on campus.
We are building the Life Enrichment Team to continue to serve you and are excited for what lies ahead. Many familiar faces remain on our team (Darlene, Judith, Angela, Leonard). We’ve welcomed Kerry as the Apartments Chaplain. We’ve said goodbye to Trish, Tamara, and Claire. Many staff members have vacation time during the summer months. Change is often unsettling but know that we are excited for the future.
We are available to hear from you. Please continue to call the reception phone numbers and leave a message if no one answers. We will respond. We will continue to work with all our other departments to deal with your questions and concerns. Our building emergency line is available for after-hours building emergencies.
We are committed to communicating with you. We make announcements in the dining rooms. We broadcast the weekly Menno Forum on Tuesdays/Wednesdays – please tune in to Channel 10. We distribute memos. We put up posters. We are planning community meetings for each building in September. We want you to know what is happening.
We are upgrading the exterior of Terrace West. Terrace West is getting exterior upgrades over the next 3-4 months. The specifics will be shared with Terrace West tenants as the project begins. Thanks for your patience during construction.
Thank you for being such great tenants!
Leonard Klassen,
Interim Manager of Independent and Supportive Living
Terrace West Building Exterior Upgrades
We have some exciting news to share with you. We are going to do a major building exterior upgrade to Terrace West over the next 3-4 months.
What is included in this upgrade?
- New gutters (higher capacity)
- New decks and railings
- Replacing siding/painting stucco – updated colors for the entire exterior
- Replacing or repairing facia board and gable ends
- Repairing building band along first floor on ground level
What is the impact on tenants?
- Decks will need to be empty at certain times in the project
- Some noise and disruption from the ongoing work at various times
- There will be 1-2 lifts on site, along with a dumpster for old materials
What is the communication plan?
- Send out a memo about the project
- Communicate specific dates/requests to clear decks through lunch announcements, posters in building, weekly Menno forum, flyers
- Life Enrichment staff is available to answer questions
We expect work to start in early August. Look for posters and information about what is necessary for the first part of the project, which will be a wash of the upper floor walls (stucco).
Thank you for your patience during this project! And join me in thanking our maintenance staff for coordinating this project with several contractors. The building will look amazing when this project is complete!
Leonard Klassen, 604-851-4004
Interim Manager of Independent and Supportive Living
For Residents – Blue Hawaii Summer Beach Party!
Our Menno Place staff will be hosting a Hawaiian themed beach Party!
Date: Wednesday, July 26
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Location: The Courtyard
Starring: Johnny Elvis!
For residents: Food and Drinks and Fun!
For staff: Enjoy Johnny Elvis, the fun environment and wear summery clothes!