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We are working closely with provincial partners to prepare and respond to the increased likelihood of more COVID-19 infections in Canada.
The health and wellness of our employees and residents is our main priority.
We are working closely with provincial partners to prepare and respond to the increased likelihood of more COVID-19 infections in Canada.
The health and wellness of our employees and residents is our main priority.
MyHR offers simple, central access to employee services including benefits, pension, training and general HR inquiries. Available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., MyHR provides timely service to address many of your HR questions and needs. Contact MyHR by phone 902.490.6145 or by email MyHR@halifax.ca for assistance.
For more information on MyHR and other available HR services, visit intranet.halifax.ca/BusinessUnits/HumanResources/.
Colleagues,
I continue to be grateful to every municipal employee for their ongoing efforts on behalf of our residents and employees. I know so much of this work goes on behind the scenes, and I want everyone to know your contributions are sincerely appreciated.
I’m pleased to share that the office of Human Resources has developed a new COVID-19 Resource for Employees & Leaders. This online resource contains tools and information to help you at work during COVID-19.
During these difficult and unpredictable times, our partners in Human Resources are here for you. For centralized access to employee services, please contact MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145.
Public Service Announcement (PSA):
Our service levels continue to change as necessary to meet the needs of our residents during this time. Here are some highlights from today’s PSA regarding changes to Halifax Transit beginning Monday, May 4.
I hope you’re all finding new ways to adapt and stay connected as we continue to persevere through this unique health crisis.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system: halifax.ca/hfxalert
Municipal media briefings: Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information: Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources: MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902.430.8295 or 902.430.8296
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068 or 902.237.9087
*Do you have information that needs to be shared with all Municipal Employees? Email EmployeeBulletin@halifax.ca.
For additional information, please read the Employee FAQ.
General Updates
Virtual Regional Council meetings
To continue to practice safe social distancing, there will be four virtual special meetings of Regional Council on April 2, April 9, April 14 and April 28, each starting at 1 p.m. The purpose of these special meetings is to deal with matters as determined by the CAO and Mayor.
Click the video link on Halifax.ca to “watch on web” and enter the webcast by selecting ‘join anonymously’.
Finance & Asset Management
Human Resources
EPass Program
HRM Pension Office
Access & Privacy Office
Corporate & Customer Services
Municipal service updates can be found on halifax.ca/coronavirus.
Colleagues,
Because of COVID-19, each day we’re faced with new changes and challenges that require us to respond, adapt and make difficult decisions. Like all administrations, we are not immune to the significant financial impacts resulting from this situation.
We continue to look at our human resources to ensure they align with the services we are providing. We’re now dealing with the reality of needing to make staffing adjustments.
With that, we have made the decision to reduce budgeted staffing levels by approximately 1,480 casual, temporary and seasonal employees who normally provide service to the public that is currently not being provided due to the pandemic.
Those impacted were contacted directly. If you fall into this category and have not heard from your manager/supervisor, or a representative from Human Resources by end of day April 17, please contact MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145.
As with everything COVID-19 related, it is difficult to make predictions about future decisions regarding adjustments to service and staffing levels. We will continue to evaluate the situation and provide additional information as it becomes available.
To those of you who will no longer be working with us in the short-term, I want to extend my appreciation and gratitude for your services. This is not a scenario any of us anticipated and certainly not one any of us desired.
We will get back to providing full-service levels in all business units in the future and I, like the Mayor, every member of Regional Council and our leadership team, hope that future is very soon.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system: halifax.ca/hfxalert
Municipal media briefings: Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information: Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources: MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902.430.8295 or 902.430.8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068 or 902.237.9087
Colleagues,
I am writing to follow-up on my March 20 email where I last advised you of the status of employees’ pay. I appreciate this is a difficult situation for you and your families and am writing to provide updates as follows:
We will continue to evaluate the situation and provide additional information as it becomes available.
With the Easter holiday around the corner, I’d like to extend a special thank-you to all those who continue to provide services over the long-weekend on which our residents rely.
Where we would normally celebrate traditions with friends and family, we’re instead experiencing the new layers of social challenges that come with it.
Although festivities may look different this year, their spirit remains the same. I do hope you take the time to relax and find new ways to connect with loved ones.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system: halifax.ca/hfxalert
Municipal media briefings: Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information: Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources: MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902.430.8295 or 902.430.8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068 or 902.237.9087
hfxALERT is the mass notification system for the municipality.
Subscribers to hfxALERT, and those who download the app, will receive urgent and non-urgent municipal notifications from Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Fire & Emergency’s Emergency Management Division, including the municipality's response to COVID-19.
Sign-up and choose how you wish to receive notices—through an automated phone call, text message, location-based push notification (if you have downloaded the mobile application) or email.
All urgent alerts are mandatory; however, you can opt-in/out for other notifications when you create your account.
Visit halifax.ca/hfxALERT for more information, to sign-up for notifications and to download mobile app.
Colleagues,
As I touched on last week, we are living in a new reality that feels far from normal.
I understand how difficult this is. The many complications and unknowns of blending your work and personal lives, as they intersect in new ways isn’t easy. On the heels of the province’s decision to extend school closures, I am reminded of the earlier years with my own children, and how difficult it must be for all those balancing the demands of family and work at a time like this.
Of course, this is just one of many difficult scenarios that our workforce is dealing with right now. While many are trying to complete tasks with young children by their side, others have high-risk dependents to care for, are working in essential services or have partners on the front lines of health care. No one is untouched by this rare world event.
Yesterday, provincial health authorities announced that Nova Scotia has its first case of transmission resulting from community spread. Now, it’s even more critical to adhere to the public health orders and directives – practice good hygiene, maintain a physical distance, limit essential gatherings to no more than five people and stay at home as much as possible.
We know that these guidelines look different in some of our work environments. Our teams have made incredible adjustments over the last number of weeks. All these efforts combined will help to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
Words simply can’t express how proud I am to work alongside each of you in the face of this adverse, unpredictable and complicated situation. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to making a difference.
As a municipality we’re continuing to do what we can to support these efforts. I’d like to share a few highlights from yesterday’s Public Service Announcement:
As per the provincial State of Emergency Order:
Thanks so much for everything you are doing to support your family, friends and colleagues during this public health crisis; keep HRM operational; and flatten the COVID-19 curve.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
Municipal media briefings:Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information:Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources:MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902.430.8295 or 902.430.8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068 or 902.237.9087
Colleagues,
I continue to be heartened by the extraordinary efforts being made to keep delivering services that our colleagues and residents across the region rely on.
I know it’s not easy. Understanding that everyone is coping with their own stress and worry right now, on top of work pressures, makes me appreciate your efforts even more.
As many have cited, we must pace ourselves. We’ve reached the end of week two, but we have a long, uncertain road ahead.
Now more than ever, we must do our very best to maintain a balance between work and life, and to prioritize our mental, physical and emotional health.
Remember that there are resources and support available to you, whenever needed, through Human Resources and our Employee and Family Assistance programs.
While we don’t know precisely when this pandemic will end, we anticipate current operations will function as they are now, until the end of June. I will continue to share updates and information as soon as I’m able.
Here are some highlights from today’s Public Service Announcement:
Halifax Transit
Parks & Recreation
The challenges around us are not insignificant, but neither is our collective strength, optimism and perseverance. Be well this weekend and be sure to take a moment to breathe in some fresh air and connect with family and friends from afar.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
Municipal media briefings: Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information: Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources: MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902.430.8295 or 902.430.8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068 or 902.237.9087
Colleagues,
Last night, Halifax Transit was advised that a staff member working in the Burnside Maintenance Department has tested positive for COVID-19.
Information was shared immediately with Transit employees and a Public Service Announcement was issued this morning, but I want to provide all employees with an update on this matter, and what steps are in place to prevent the spread of illness.
First though, I want to say that our thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery are with the individual involved, and their family.
Based on an assessment of the circumstances, Public Health has indicated there is no risk to transit riders or the general public.
The following steps were taken immediately:
• All maintenance staff on the evening shift were sent home.
• The Burnside Maintenance Department workspace was disinfected, with a particular focus on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, work surfaces, tools, etc.
• Maintenance staff scheduled to work this morning were advised to not report for their shift.
• Adjustments are being made in the shared work areas in the maintenance department to ensure safe social distancing is made easier for staff (e.g. spacing tables and chairs in lunchroom).
Public Health has been in contact with the individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and identified anyone with whom the individual has been in close contact.
Anyone who has been identified by Public Health, as being in close contact with the individual who has tested positive, has been contacted. Direction will be given to self-isolate and testing for COVID-19 will occur.
Public Health has advised that the Burnside Maintenance Depot can remain operational and staff who have not been contacted by Public Health can report to work at the direction of Halifax Transit.
Public Health defines close contact as:
• providing care for someone who tested positive for COVD-19
• having close physical contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
• living with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 (who isn’t able to properly and consistently socially distance)
• having close lengthy contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
• having contact with bodily fluids of someone who tested positive for COVID-19
With the rise of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our region, I want to assure employees that we continue to refine our procedures to respond quickly to these scenarios. We also continue to take direction from Public Health regarding all the steps required to safeguard the health of our employees.
We all must follow Public Health Orders and Direction:
• If you have travelled outside of Nova Scotia you must stay home and self-isolate for 14 days upon your return
• If you’re feeling unwell – stay home
• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, complete the 811 online assessment
• Practice social-distancing. Keep 2 metres/6 feet away from others
• Follow the 5-person limit - to the extent you are able – in your individual workplaces
• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use hand sanitizer
• Cough into your sleeve or tissue and discard immediately
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Thank-you to all those who responded quickly to this situation and took the steps necessary to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and residents.
If you have any questions about the procedures in your workplace, please reach out to your manager/supervisor to discuss.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
Municipal media briefings: Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information: Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources: MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902-430-8295 or 902-430-8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902-490-6271 or 902-237-9087
Colleagues,
I’m pleased to share that we now have greater clarity around the provincial state of emergency as stated in the provincial order, and how exceptions will be applied to various municipal services.
Business Unit leaders will continue to communicate directly with employees around the application of the provincial order and what this looks like for individual teams.
While certain exceptions are in place, I want to reiterate how important it is to continue to work together to stay safe. During my daily calls with senior leadership, I continue to receive updates about the efforts being made across the organization to practice social distancing and follow the 5-person limit wherever possible. These measures will undoubtedly help us to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Keep up this great work.
There continue to be municipal service updates, and below are a few highlights from today’s Public Service Announcement:
Planning & Development
Online Permits and Applications
·An online form has been created for all permit and sub-division application intakes.
·Applications for Rezoning, Municipal Plan Amendments, Development Agreements, or Downtown Halifax Site Plan Approvals can be submitted via email to Carl Purvis – Planning Applications Program Manager purvisc@halifax.ca.
·Revised drawings and/or any amended application information for current files can also be submitted via email, directly to the planner assigned to your file.
Halifax Transit
·The 5-person social gathering limit and two metre social distancing limit does not apply to Halifax Transit as stated in the provincial order.
·Buses and ferries will continue to operate on a reduced schedule.
·Halifax Transit has taken steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 including anincreased frequency of wipe-downs of high-touch surfaces, making the first seat unavailable to riders on buses (this does not impact accessible seating), limiting passengers on buses to seated passengers only, and limiting the number of ferry passengers to 50 per trip.
·Riders must continue to board and exit through the rear doors only and are asked to only use transit services if necessary.
·Riders should continue to social distance as much as possible and should not use transit if they are feeling unwell.
Also, please note that as a result of the decision to suspend all fare collection on bus and ferry services, EPass payroll deductions will be suspended effective pay period 8 (from March 16 to March 28 – deposit date April 9) until further notice.
For employees who are now working from home, you’re encouraged to explore the Work from Home Toolkit aimed at helping individuals get set up to work efficiently from home.
Thank you all for your continued support, resolve and kindness during these unprecedented times.
Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,
Jacques
Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.
Employee updates: hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus
Municipal service adjustments: halifax.ca/coronavirus
Municipal media briefings: Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming
Public health information: Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness
Human Resources: MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP:902-430-8295 or 902-430-8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902-490-6271 or 902-237-9087
If you, or a direct family member, are experiencing increased worry or anxiety, you can reach out to your respective Employee and Family Assistance Program for support.
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142
Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902-430-8295 or 902-430-8296.
International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068 or 902.237.9087.
Our partners in Human Resources are also here to help. You can contact MyHR@halifax.ca or phone 902.490.6145 for centralized access to employee services.