Safety is Everyone’s Business: The True Cost of WorkSafe Claims

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Every claim counts — prevention protects everyone.

When an injury happens, the impact goes beyond the individual. WorkSafeBC claims affect staffing levels, morale, and even funding that supports programs and care delivery.

Here’s what happens when we reduce claims:

  • We keep premiums lower, meaning more resources for staff wellness and equipment.
  • We maintain consistent care for residents and clients.
  • We protect our reputation as a safe, supportive employer.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Work safely every day, follow policies and use equipment correctly.
  • Support coworkers who return to modified duties.
  • Keep communication open,  ask for training if you’re unsure.
  • Be proactive: prevention is the best cost savings strategy.

Let’s make every shift count:  for ourselves, our residents, and our community.

 

MEMO: All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments & Menno Home – Key Changes

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To: All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments and Menno Home

 This memo provides nursing staff with key information regarding the upcoming transition to the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU).

 Implementation Dates

  • Menno Apartments: November 16, 2025
  • Menno Home: November 23, 2025

Key Changes

  1. Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP)
  • All regular full-time and part-time nurses must participate in the EDMP.
  • EDMP provides structured reviews and monitoring for employees off work due to illness or injury, supporting a smoother and earlier return to work.
  • TeksMed is the EDMP provider for Menno Place.
  • Refer to MOA – Enhanced Disability Management Program in the Collective Agreement.
  1. Resignations
  • Regular employees must provide 28 calendar days’ written notice of resignation; otherwise, a penalty may apply.
  • Refer to Article 15.
  1. Internal Job Postings
  • Vacancies nine (9) months or longer will be posted as temporary postings.
  • Internal postings will be posted on Tuesdays and remain open for 72 hours (reduced from 7 days).
  • Refer to Article 17.
  1. Increments
  • Casual employees: Advance one increment every 1,950 hours worked.
  • Regular employees: Advance on their anniversary date.
  • Refer to Article 12.
  1. Supplemental Employment Benefit (SEB) – Maternity Leave
  • Staff are entitled to SEB when taking maternity leave.
  • Refer to Article 38.
  1. WorkSafeBC (WCB) Claims
  • Employees with an accepted WorkSafeBC claim will remain on the employer’s payroll.
  • The employer continues to pay the employee, and WorkSafeBC reimburses the employer.
  • Refer to Article 42.
  1. Personal Leave Bank
  • Regular employees are entitled to two personal leave days per year.
  • For 2025 only, the allocation is as follows:
    • Nurses hired into a regular position before June 30, 2025: 2 days
    • Nurses hired into a regular position after June 30, 2025: 1 day
  • You must currently be in a regular position to receive this benefit.
  • Personal leave banks from 2025 may be carried into 2026, up to March 31st.
  • Refer to Article 43.
  1. Casual – Minimum Hours to Work
  • Casual Employees are required to work a minimum of 400 hours over a twelve (12) month period.
  • Refer to Article 11
  1. Status of Casual Employees in Temporary Positions
  • Casual employees in temporary positions will be considered regular employees for the duration of the assignment.
  • This includes eligibility for all benefits available to regular full-time or part-time staff.
  • Refer to Article 17

 Important Note

 This memo does not cite the full Collective Agreement and is intended as a summary of key points only. It is the employee’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the full Collective Agreement. The complete document can be accessed here:
BCNU Collective Agreement – Nurses Bargaining Association

If you have any questions, you can reach out to your shop steward:

 Meg McCusker
Steward at Large, Fraser Valley Region

BC Nurses’ Union
P:  604 433 2268 | 1 800 663 9991

E:  megmccusker@bcnu.org

You can download the full text of this memo as a PDF here: The Culture Volume 2025.07

MEMO: Second Vacation Requests Reminder

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MEMO

To: All Menno Home, Hospital and Apartments Staff
Date: November 28, 2025
Re: Submission of Second and Subsequent Vacation Choices

Menno Home, Hospital and Apartments staff,

This is a friendly reminder that all second subsequent vacation requests must be submitted by December 1, 2025. This includes ALL remaining vacation hours with the exception of 5 days.

Only a maximum of (5) days may be left unscheduled, BUT must be booked by August 1, 2026 (if not, Staffing will assign, and no changes will be made).

If the Staffing Department does not receive your second and subsequent vacation requests, they will randomly assign vacation dates.

 

All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments and Menno Home

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To: All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments and Menno Home

This bulletin is to keep our nursing staff informed regarding the transition to the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU).

Menno Home and Terrace East at Menno Apartments were certified under BCNU as of April 08, 2025. A contract has been signed as of November 25, 2025, with the Union.

The effective dates of the implementation are:

Menno Apartments – November 16, 2025

Menno Home – November 23, 2025

As per the contract, all eligible nurses are to be transferred from the current benefits provider to the Health Benefit Trust (HBT) effective December 01, 2025.

Your benefits with Empire Life will be terminated effective November 30, 2025.

HBT is in the process of setting up your new benefits. During this transition period, employees may need to pay for eligible prescriptions and services out of pocket. Please keep all receipts—you will be able to submit them for reimbursement once your coverage is fully active.

Next Steps:

We will share further details, including the new carrier contact information and instructions for submitting claims as soon as the transition is complete.

Thank you

You can download a PDF of this bulletin here: HR Bulleting Vol 2025.06 – All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments and Menno Home

MEMO: ComVida Walk-In Support Nov 29, 30, Dec 1 & 3

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To: All Menno Home, Apartments and Hospital staff.
Date: November 28, 2025
Subject: ComVida Walk-In Support Available Nov 29, 30, Dec 1 & 3

This memo is to inform all staff of the upcoming ComVida Walk-In Support sessions available at both Staffing Offices located in Menno Hospital W1 by People and Culture. Staff may drop in during the times listed below for assistance with ComVida access.

Schedule:

Saturday, November 29, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday, November 30, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Monday, December 1, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

If you cannot attend any of these sessions and have questions regarding ComVida access, please connect with your department manager.
________________________________________

All staff should have received their new ComVida username via email on November 26, 2025. The new usernames are to be used effective Friday November 28, 2025.

All call outs except after hour call outs will be done through ComVida.

If you did not receive your new username, please contact:

Jessy Manhas: jessy.manhas@mennoplace.ca
Or

Sourajita Panda: sourajita.panda@mennoplace.ca

ComVida Update: Easier Log In Process Starts Nov 27

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MEMO

To: Menno Home, Hospital and Apartments Staff
Date: November 25, 2025
Subject: ComVida Updates

Dear Staff,

This memo is to inform you of upcoming changes to ComVida.

Please note that ComVida will be temporarily unavailable on Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm due to system updates.
We are pleased to share that we have taken your feedback to the ComVida team and worked collaboratively to enhance the software and address several concerns raised by staff.

Some of the key concerns included:

  • Having to log in with multiple usernames if cross-hired
  • Not receiving notifications on the mobile app in a timely manner
  • Having to complete first-time registration through the web browser

As of November 21, 2025, staff can now register their accounts directly through the ComVida mobile app.

We are also happy to announce that each employee has been assigned a unique username. This means you will no longer need multiple logins to access schedules across different sites if you are cross-hired. All notifications for vacant shifts—as well as your work schedule—will now be available under one profile.

This memo is a friendly reminder to watch for an important email from People and Culture this week. That email will include your new username, along with steps to ensure you remain connected and fully set up.

Once you receive your new username:

  •  Please log in to ComVida using the new username. This can be done no earlier than Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 7:00 pm.
  • Your password will remain the same.
  • Ensure notifications are turned on in the ComVida mobile app so you continue receiving real-time alerts.
  • There is no need to delete or reinstall the mobile app.

Please note:

  • The new username logins take effect Friday, November 28, 2025.
  • Daily shift callouts will resume in ComVida on December 1, 2025.

If you do not receive your new username by November 27, 2025:

  • Check your junk or spam folder.
  • If you still do not see the email, please email jessy.manhas [at] mennoplace.ca with your employee number and the site you work at.

Thank you again for your valuable feedback and for your patience as we continue improving our systems to better support you.

Regards,
Jessy Manhas, CPHR

Report It Before It Hurts: The Power of Early Reporting

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See something? Say something, it could save a colleague from injury.

Many WorkSafeBC claims start small, a sore wrist, a minor strain, or an “it’s nothing” moment. But these early warning signs often turn into long-term injuries if they go unreported.

Why early reporting matters:

  • It helps prevent minor issues from becoming serious injuries.
  •  It allows supervisors to fix hazards quickly.
  • It ensures you get access to modified duties or medical support right away.
  • It keeps our WorkSafe costs down by reducing time-loss claims.

How to take action:

  •  Report all injuries, near misses, and hazards immediately to your supervisor.
  • Complete an incident report, even for small issues.
  • Encourage your peers to do the same,  it’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

Every report is a step toward a safer, stronger workplace.

Dementia Series – Educational Session on December 5th

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We are pleased to invite you to the first session of our Dementia Series, an educational program designed to enhance understanding and support for individuals living with dementia.

📅 Date: Friday, December 5th
🕥 Time: 10:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Menno Hospital Chapel
👩‍⚕️ Presenter: Dr. Atul Nanda, Geriatric Psychiatrist

Dr. Nanda will lead this informative session, offering valuable insights into dementia care and management. We strongly encourage family participants to attend this session and benefit from Dr. Nanda’s expertise.

We look forward to your participation.

Kind regards,
Smitha Varghese, Director of care, Menno Home and Hospital