MEMO: Celebrating & Fostering Belonging – Keeping Residents at the Heart of Menno Place

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Sujata Connors, CEO and the Executive Team
Date: May 29, 2025
Re: Celebrating & Fostering Belonging – Keeping Residents at the Heart of Menno Place
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Dear Team,

One of the things that makes Menno Place so special is the incredible diversity of the people who live and work here. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed celebrating a variety of cultural traditions together, and those moments have been meaningful and memorable.

As we continue to grow as a community, we’ve taken some time to reflect. While we’ve celebrated many cultures, we’ve also realized that we haven’t been able to celebrate each culture, leaving some left out. Our goal is to support equity, diversity, inclusivity and belonging. [You can read our full EDIB policy on sharepoint.]

With this in mind, we’ve decided to hold one inclusive event each year that is resident focused with staff involvement.  Our residents will be at the centre, celebrating their stories, cultures, traditions, and uniqueness. The Recreation Manager and team will take the lead on organizing this event, and staff are warmly encouraged to contribute ideas and join in the celebration.

This new annual event will build on what we already do so well — like the “All About Me” posters in long-term care and assisted living as well as our resident and family-centred care motto, “If it matters to you, it matters to me.” With residents as our focus, we’ll create a space where we can invite them to share their culture and uniqueness with us.

We also value and respect the diversity of interests and affiliations among our team members. Although we respect and wish to celebrate every uniqueness or culture among our staff, to do this equitably will not be feasible. Our decision ensures our spaces and focus remain on the people who live here, those who are supported by our staff.

We’ll continue to celebrate important staff recognition days and events each year, examples include:

  • Support Services Day, Health Care Assistant Day, National Nurses Week, National Doctor’s Day
  • Staff Summer BBQ, Staff Christmas Banquet, Team Member Appreciation Tea
  • Recreation Staff Appreciation Day, Volunteer Week, Administrative Professionals Day
  • Occupational Therapy Month, Social Workers Day, Physiotherapy Month, Dieticians Day

Thank you for everything you do to make Menno Place a welcoming, inclusive, and caring community of belonging. If you have ideas for our annual resident-focused celebration, we’d love to hear them! Please send your thoughts to Linda Weatherly at Linda.Weatherly@MennoPlace.ca.

Warmly,

Sujata Connors, CEO and the Executive Team

MEMO: No Parking in Roundabout by Menno Hospital

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Maintenance Team
Date: May 28, 2025
Re: No Parking in Roundabout by Menno Hospital

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To all friends, family, staff and guests of Menno Place,

We kindly ask that you refrain from parking in the roundabout area in front of Menno Hospital. We have noticed vehicles parking in the yellow loading zone along the sidewalk between Menno Hospital and Terrace West. Keeping this space clear is essential for the safe and efficient access of first responders, hospital transfers, and the Menno Place bus, which transports our residents. If you need to park in this area please use the available parking stalls only.

Your cooperation helps us provide the best care and service possible. Thank you for your understanding.

MEMO: Summer Time Off Requests are Full

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Menno Hospital, Menno Home & Apartments Staffing Offices
Date: May 28, 2025
Re: Summer Time Off Requests are Full

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We have now maxed our vacation, BOT, and LOA requests from June 15, 2025 – September 20, 2025.

The Menno Hospital and Menno Home & Apartments staffing offices will no longer accept time off requests for the above dates.

Any concerns, please see your department manager.

MEMO: Perkopolis Issue Fixed

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Jessy Manhas
Date: May 23, 2025
Re: Perkopolis Issue Fixed 

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We recognize that some staff members have encountered difficulties creating Perkopolis accounts. We’re pleased to share that the People & Culture team has collaborated with Perkopolis to resolve this issue. As a result, all employees who joined Menno Place on or before May 1, 2025, are now eligible to sign up.

Please note: New hires must wait 30 days from their start date before becoming eligible.

How to Register:
Visit the staff website for step-by-step instructions: https://mennoplacestaff.com/perkopolis/

MEMO Re: Long Weekend Sick Calls – Victoria Day

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Jessy Manhas
Date: May 12, 2025
Re: Long weekend Announcement Regarding Sick Calls – Victoria Day

Dear Team,

In the past, we have noticed a pattern of increased sick calls over the long weekend, followed by staff working on the statutory holiday the next day. All staff scheduled to work during the long weekend are expected to report to their shifts as usual.

Due to this recurring pattern, we will require proof of illness/doctor’s note as per the Collective Agreement from anyone who calls in sick on May 18. Additionally, if you call in sick on May 18 and then come to work on the statutory holiday May 19 an investigation will be initiated by your Manager with a Shop Steward and a doctor’s note is mandatory. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action and a risk of no sick time pay.

We appreciate your understanding and dedication to our residents’ care. Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure smooth operations throughout the long weekend.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your department manager.

Sincerely,

Jessy Manhas
Manager of People & Culture
604-851-1346

MEMO: Mother’s Day Flower and Gift Deliveries

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Sharon Simpson, Director of Community Enrichment
Date: May 8, 2025
Re: Mother’s Day Flower and Gift Deliveries
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Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 11 and we are expecting a large volume of floral deliveries along with one of the busiest visiting days of the year. We need your help to make sure these gifts get to their intended resident.

Starting Friday, May 9 and throughout the weekend please help celebrate our residents by doing the following:

  1. Accept any floral deliveries that come to your building provided they meet the following criteria:
    a. No lilies or other scented flowers.
    b. No loose flowers – Menno Place is not able to provide vases. An exception can be made if you know the resident has their own vase.
    c. No large potted plants. Plants that can reasonably sit on a desk or table are permitted.
    d. No large gifts that require a cart to transport will be delivered.
  2. If the delivery is for a resident in another unit in your building, please look them up in PCC and arrange the delivery of the gift to them.
  3. If the delivery is for a resident in the other Menno Place LTC building call:
    a. Menno Home 604-853-2411 x 2323
    b. Menno Hospital 604-859-7631 x2244
  4. If the resident lives in the apartments, it’s best to redirect the delivery service to that building to use the enterphone to make the delivery. If you receive a gift that is for a resident in the Apartments, please hold the gift and inform your Nurse Manager.

Thank you for taking the extra time to ensure our residents have a meaningful Mother’s Day. It matters to them so it matters to us.

MEMO: May 10 & 11 FULL for Time Off Requests

To: All Menno Hospital, Menno Home & Menno Apartments Staff
From: Staffing Teams
Date: May 6, 2025
Re: Time Off Requests for May 10th & 11th

We have reached max capacity for time off requests for May 10 & 11, 2025.  The Menno Hospital, Home, and Apartments staffing offices will no longer accept time off requests for the above dates.

Any concerns, please see your department managers.

Thank you,
Menno Staffing

MEMO: 2025 Vacation Requests Due by Apr 15

To: All Menno Home, Apartments and Hospital Staff
From: Menno Home, Apartments and Hospital Staffing
Date: April 8, 2025
Re: 2025 Vacation

Please double-check your booked vacation for 2025.

If you have vacation left to book, please do so by April 15, 2025. If vacation is not booked, Staffing will book it for you on April 16th. You are allowed to leave 37.5 hours outstanding until Aug 1st. If you have outstanding vacation after Aug 1st, Staffing will book it for you.

If you have a negative balance, please let us know which day(s) you would like to cancel.

Any cancellation of vacation days must be in writing. Please send your cancellation to your manager and to the appropriate staffing office.

There will be no exceptions after these dates. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank-you,
Staffing Team

MEMO: April 19 & 20 FULL for Time Off Requests

To: All Menno Hospital, Menno Home & Menno Apartments Staff
From: Staffing Teams
Date: April 6, 2025
Re: Time Off Requests for April 19 & 20

To All Staff at Menno Hospital, Menno Home, and Menno Apartments,

As of April 6, 2025 please note that APRIL 19 & APRIL 20 have now exceeded staffing limits. The staffing offices will no longer accept time off requests for these dates.

Respectfully,
Menno Hospital & Menno Home & Apartments Staffing Teams

MEMO Re: Long Weekend Sick Calls – Easter

To: All Menno Place Staff
From: Jessy Manhas
Date: April 7, 2025
Re: Long weekend Announcement Regarding Sick Calls

Dear Team,

In the past, we have noticed a pattern of increased sick calls over the long weekend, followed by staff working on the statutory holiday the next day. All staff scheduled to work during the long weekend are expected to report to their shifts as usual.

Due to this recurring pattern, we will require proof of illness/doctor’s note as per the Collective Agreement from anyone who calls in sick on April 17 or April 19. Additionally, if you call in sick on April 17 or April or 19 and then come to work on the statutory holidays April 18 and/or April 20 and 21, an investigation will be initiated by your Manager with a Shop Steward and a doctor’s note is mandatory. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action and a risk of no sick time pay.

We appreciate your understanding and dedication to our residents’ care. Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure smooth operations throughout the long weekend.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your department manager.

Sincerely,

Jessy Manhas
Manager of People & Culture
604-851-1346