Dear Karen,

This letter is so long overdue. There were many times in the last 9 months that I have meant to sit down and attempt to express the gratitude I have for you and your team at Menno Place. My sister shared a post this morning on Facebook, a prayer for the staff at your facility as they navigate this difficult time that puts them and the residents at such risk of such an invisible yet malicious and unknown threat. It reminded me that I had not yet done what I promised myself I would do after my dad died; find some way to express the deep gratitude I have for you and your amazing team.

My Dad, JPM, spent the last years of his life at Menno Place (Chalet). He passed away on February 27 of this year; just weeks before the world as we know it shut down. Seeing how this virus has affected facilities like yours, I am eternally grateful that he passed when he did and that we were able to spend time with him in his final days.

When he first entered the facility, I admit we were not that impressed with the “esthetics” (for lack of a better word) of the ward he was assigned. We all were in some denial, I think, about how bad his disease had become. The grip it had on him and the stage that the professionals had diagnosed him to be in. I think we imagined that he could still live somewhat independently with some assistance. It was hard to admit that was not the case, but we eventually accepted it.

I did not visit my dad as often as my other siblings (for a few reasons, but mostly because I do not live a quick drive away). But when I did visit, I was completely blown away by the staff in the facility.

I will try to find the words to describe how wonderful, caring, attentive, knowledgeable, and LOVING they were towards my dad:

For a team that deals with death on a regular basis, you would think my dad was the first person they walked through the journey with. I don’t mean that as in “amateur” I mean that as in compassionate. My family and I felt so special and loved by complete strangers who guided us through the most difficult time of our lives thus far. Although they do this likely every day or at least a few times a month, they did not act complacent toward us and our dad. They explained everything that was happening to him so beautifully – which was extremely helpful because, when you have never seen the process of dying, it’s a little bit scary and shocking.

I was so happy to see that he wasn’t alone. Whenever I arrived before family, there was someone sitting with him. Praying with him, holding his hand, calming him when he seemed agitated and always with beautiful music playing in the background.

Your volunteers had provided handmade shawls to envelope my sisters and my stepmom in warmth and love as they sat with my dad during his transition. I am so thankful for those volunteers and the time and love they put into helping people they would never meet. It’s an act of kindness that may not ever get properly acknowledged so I hope I can do that through this letter.

I would also like to thank the families of every single one of your staff who support them as they do this very important work. I know there are probably a lot of staff that have sacrificed time at home to work overtime and cover for co-workers that have to isolate. You, too, are heroes for lending us your loved ones.

I could go on and on.

I hope this letter reaches all of you and helps you to know that what you do, what you have chosen to do as a career, is SO appreciated. What you do matters. It has immense value and I am thankful that my dad got to meet you all. I am grateful our family was fortunate enough to meet you all and I hope that you are staying healthy.

With love, appreciation, and deep gratitude,

A grateful daughter, D

If you see decorations popping up around the Menno Place campus, you will know that this is the heart of the community giving you a message of hope and support. We shared on www.Facebook.com/Mennoplace and to our families that we need them right now – and that decorating trees and bushes is one way of telling our staff and residents that the community is with us.

Here’s what we wrote:

**Would you like to encourage the Menno Place staff and residents? **

So, what’s our big idea?

Update – Pandemic Pay for Staff

The BC Temporary Pandemic Pay Program was announced on May 7, 2020 by the federal government. On September 16th, employers were permitted to submit the straight-time hours worked by front-line health care from March 15 – July 4, 2020. The government information on Temporary Pandemic Pay is online – CLICK HERE

As of today, November 26, 2020, Menno Place has not received any funding to pass to employees for the Temporary Pandemic pay.

Menno Place submitted our claims for employee hours earlier than the Oct. 31st deadline for submissions. The Ministry of Finance has informed us that the funding may continue to be issued until December 31, 2020 as submissions are processed. We learned today that there are 8200 plus submissions for Pandemic Pay across the province and the hold-up is due to the Ministry of Health validating the claims that can takes up to 3-4 weeks, after which the health authority validates for 2-3 weeks and another 1-2 weeks to be paid by the Ministry. It is a long process and probably looking at 4-6 weeks for pandemic pay to be received. We have not been able to find out from the government what order they are approving submissions in spite of our CEO asking weekly on calls with the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible to issue the funding to Menno Place who will then be responsible to distribute this to each of our eligible employees as a lump sum on a regular paycheck.

We have heard through our staff that some other care homes have received their funding and dispersed it to their employees. So far, the only one that our CEO knows about is the Fraser Health Authority which may have different funding sources.

We are very disappointed that this is taking so long to get to you, especially as some staff have indicated that it may impact your perspective on whether or not Menno Place values your work and sacrifice during this pandemic. Please know that we are very proud of your work, your vigilance in following COVID protocols and the hard work it has taken to keep this virus out of Menno Place. We are proud of the work you are doing during the Outbreak – the Menno Home staff are at 9 days of droplet precautions and Menno Hospital has just begun. We know it is physically and mentally challenging – and we thank you for the good work that you do each day.

Now that we’ve entered COVID Outbreak in both Home and Hospital, we are even more aware of how discouraging it is to be promised additional pay and at the same time asked to do the additional effort and sacrifice that is required with droplet precautions and increased COVID protocols. We were excited about the announcement in May, knowing that you are deserving of this recognition of your skill and tenacity – as is the entire sector of employees who care for the seniors in our communities across this province. We know that the pandemic pay would give you a very real encouragement that your work is valued. Instead, this long process has discouraged the very people that it was intended to honor.

Karen Biggs, our Chief Executive Officer, is committed to making payments through our Payroll Department as soon as the funding arrives. Pandemic Pay will be given to those in eligible roles which include RNs, LPNs, HCAs, Administrative / clerical support roles and essential non-clinical services such as Food service workers, housekeepers, laundry workers, maintenance, deliveries and other key roles. It will arrive in a lump sum on one paycheck. We will notify you when we receive the funding from the BC government.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

• What criteria need to be met in order to be eligible for Temporary Pandemic Pay?
  Employees who worked straight-time hours at any point during the 16-week period starting on March 1, 2020 and ending July 4, 2020
• Does the employee have to work full-time during this period to qualify?
  No, all employees, irrespective, of whether they worked full-time, part-time, casual, or temporary are eligible if they meet the criteria (above).
  This includes working during statutory holiday.
• Do overtime hours worked on a statutory holiday count as straight-time?
  Yes, but for hours worked only, not at a premium. For example, 8 hours on a Sunday counts as 8 hours only, not time and a half.
• Do overtime hours worked count as straight-time?
  Yes. The Temporary Pandemic Pay is a flat-rate, and would not be grossed up when working overtime or on holiday.
• Do management positions in the organization qualify?
  No. Management and executive positions withing the organization are not eligible for the temporary pandemic pay.
• Are programs that transitioned to remote or virtual service delivery models eligible for pandemic pay?
  Yes, front-line employees are eligible for pandemic pay irrespective if they were working remotely or on-site at their usual workplace.
• Are contracted service providers eligible?
  Yes, non-management employees of contracted providers who deliver direct services or support services are eligible for the pandemic pay.
• Are employers funded from different sources still eligible?
  Yes, however, the Temporary Pandemic Pay is a top-up that is proportionate to the funding the employer receives from the provincial government.
• If an employee has resigned or retired (left) the organization during or after the 16-week period March 15 – July 4, 2020, are they eligible for the pandemic pay?
  Yes, on a pro-rated basis. This applies to straight-time hours worked during that period.
  Terminated employees are not eligible for the pandemic pay.
• Are employees hired after March 15, 2020 eligible?
  These employees receive pandemic pay for the straight-time hours worked during the applicable time period if they meet all the eligibility criteria.
• Is the time spent on COVID-19 leave or required isolation due to possible COVID-19 exposure eligible for the pandemic pay?
  No, any kind of leave (eg. sick leave, parental leave, vacation, short/long-term disability, etc.) including one cause by COVID-19 is not eligible for the pandemic pay.
• Is the pandemic pay taxable?
  Yes, the pandemic pay is taxable.
• Why can’t employees get their lump-sum on a separate cheque so that they pay less tax?
  Payroll departments do not issue separate pay checks for adds-to-pay (overtime, substitution pay, premiums, etc.) or retractive lump sum adjustments such as pandemic pay.
  The software used to calculate payroll and taxation uses taxation methods and formulas approved by the Canada Revenue Agency. These formulas cover federal income tax, provincial income tax, contributions to the Canada Pension Plan and premiums for the Employment Insurance program. Neither the employer nor payroll alters these formulas in any way.
  When Temporary Pandemic Pay recipients file their taxes next year, their earnings from all sources will be reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency and adjustments are made as necessary.