Announcements

When:
May 7, 2020

We understand that working from home is new to many of us and this sudden change can be overwhelming. As we adjust to our new work environments and form new habits, it is important that we continue to strive to work as securely as possible. To support you in your new surroundings, we would like to share some simple tips/advice to help you remain secure.

  • Use Humber provided tools such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Cisco WebEx, to communicate with coworkers and students. Avoid using apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other consumer applications not officially approved by your department or Humber.

Please contact the I.T. Support Centre if you experience any issues.
416.675.6622 x8888 | humber.ca/techtalk
SupportCentre@humber.ca
A212 (Lakeshore) or NX210 (North)

ITS Security Team

When:
May 7, 2020

Humber has partnered with Renewed Computer Technology to offer students with financial need the opportunity to purchase refurbished desktop or laptop computers at affordable prices.

The program was piloted in the Winter 2020 semester and since COVID-19, has evolved to allow for shipping directly to the homes of our learners or direct warehouse pick-ups.

Eligibility:

Humber students and community clients with financial need. Students are eligible if they are on financial assistance such as – OSAP, OW, ODSP – or are a limited income individual or family as defined by Statistics Canada (LICO). Open to Humber College/UGH domestic and international students, and clients of Humber College Community Employment Services. 

Humber's partnership with Renewed Computer Technology is allowing the college to provide an additional avenue of support for students with technology access needs.

Please share this information with any students who might benefit from this program.

Students can learn more and apply for this program here.

When:
May 7, 2020
Contact:
Allison Scully
Tel:
x79287
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster
Image Advisor Training Postponed

The Advisor Training committee has made the decision to postpone the 5th annual Advisor Training, originally scheduled for May 29 and 30, until further notice.

Please stay tuned for more details as they are finalized.

This year's theme is Advising Without Silos: Collaborating for Student Success, and we look forward to having Advisors, Program Coordinators, Faculty and Staff from all departments and academic faculties at Humber and Guelph-Humber join us to discuss, share, and learn about advising techniques, skills and issues that affect us all. Please stay tuned for more details as they are finalized. 

 

 

When:
May 7, 2020
Contact:
Occupational Health & Safety Services
Tel:
x5473
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH)

Is your home equipped with up-to-date safety equipment? Are you prepared in the event of an emergency? Your home is now your workplace and for our fourth day of NAOSH Week, we encourage you to make your new workplace as safe as possible!

Smoke Alarm

Carbon Monoxide monitor

Proper Placement

It is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working smoke alarm

  1. on every storey; and
  2. outside all sleeping areas

Checking Batteries

Change at least once a year.

Change immediately if low battery warning beeps.

Replacing alarm

Refer to the time frame indicated in the manufacturers’ instructions (usually last 7 to 10 years).

Required by law

Residential occupancies that contain at least one fuel-burning appliance (e.g., gas water heater or gas furnace), fireplace or an attached garage, require the installation of a CO alarm.

Proper Placement

Install adjacent to all sleeping areas of the home

Checking Batteries

Change at least once a year.

Change immediately if low battery warning beeps.

Click the link to learn more about CO monitors and how to respond if the alarm sounds.

Click here for more on smoke alarms

Click here for more on CO monitors

 

Fire Extinguisher

Emergency Supplies

Advisable to have at least one extinguisher in your home. 

Most common locations are in the kitchen and garage.  The laundry room is also popular.

There are different kinds of extinguishers designed to fight certain materials. Most common one to have at home is a multi-purpose ABC extinguisher. 

You have an extinguisher….but is it charged and in good condition? Check charge by looking at the circular glass window. An arrow should be found within the green “charged” section of the gauge.

Helpful items include:

First aid kit (check link for contents)

Emergency car kit

Flashlights with batteries

Emergency contact numbers readily available

Fire Safety Plan

Click here for more on fire extinguishers

Click here for more on emergency kits

If you’ve made any changes within your home after reviewing these tips, we’d love to know! During NAOSH Week, share any positive changes you’ve made to improve your health and safety to healthandsafety@humber.ca to be entered in a draw to win a $20 Amazon gift card. 

What is NAOSH Week?

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week events and activities have been held in Canada, the United States and Mexico since 1997. The goal during Safety and Health Week is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community. In Canada, NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE).  For more information, go to www.naosh.ca or www.csse.org.

 

hrs.humber.ca/safety

When:
May 6, 2020

As we continue to work and learn at home, it’s important to stay connected to our colleagues and our community. To help keep us all connected, we created the #HumberAtHome series. We want to know about how you are taking care of your well-being right now, how your teams are adding a bit of fun into your interactions, and which resources are helping you.  

Here are some examples of what members of the Humber community are doing to bring their community together:  

Faculty of Media & Creative Arts

The 2020 Bachelor of Interior Design Class has completed their thesis projects and ARIDO (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario), is ensuring their work is appreciated by posting student’s projects on their blog. Click here to see building redesigns and modern city living spaces. Each Wednesday new work is posted. It provides a great sneak peek of Humber’s Virtual Interior Design Thesis show. More details on the show will be coming soon.

Individual Tips from Humber Staff

 

Christina Nemeth, Executive Assistant, HROE, has been making masks for individuals who have care workers coming to their homes and for the mask drive at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. She’s also been making “ear savers” for front line health workers at Credit Valley Hospital and Hamilton Health Sciences. Wearing a mask for a 12-hour shift can really tear up the skin on your ears. With Christina’s “ear savers” you attach the mask on the buttons behind your head and your ears are protected.
 

Please send us your #HumberAtHome photos, video clips and stories to bethany.sharpe@humber.ca.

When:
May 6, 2020

Vacation time is an essential part of a healthy work-life balance. We encourage all staff to schedule and plan their yearly vacation allotment in consultation with their manager. 

In order to ensure that vacation requests are considered fairly and effectively, please refer to the Vacation Accrual summary document for your group to find out how vacation accruals work within the HRMS and how you can use the accrued vacation days to request and plan for vacation. Key point to consider:

Academic Staff (Article 15 – Vacations)

Click here to read important information regarding the Academic Staff Vacation Accrual within the HRMS.
Click here to view the Academic Staff Collective Agreement.

Full-Time Support Staff (Article 11 – Vacation)

Click here to read important information regarding the Support Staff Vacation Accrual within the HRMS.
Click here to view the Support Staff Collective Agreement.

Part-Time Support Staff (Article 14 – Vacation)

Click here to view the Part-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement.

Administrative (Admin) Staff (Vacations)

Click here to read important information regarding the Administrative (Admin) Staff Vacation Accrual within the HRMS.
Click here to view the Admin Staff Vacation Policy document.

SUMMER HOURS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

Summer Hours

During the period from May to August, where operationally feasible, management has the authority and discretion to establish summer working hours for their employees. These hours may vary from regular operating hours.

Summer hours usually mean that employees continue to work their full number of hours each week, but may start and finish earlier or later in the day. When considering requests for summer hours, managers are encouraged to engage in conversation with their employees to discuss feasible options while ensuring regular customer service is maintained.

Should there be any questions regarding the scheduling and/or taking of vacation, or the observance of holidays, please contact your HR Business Partner.

Summer Early Closings

Early closing days for 2020 will continue, as one way to recognize Humber’s dedicated faculty and staff supporting work-life balance. Conditional upon operational requirements, managers are encouraged to support early Friday closing for statutory holidays that fall on a Monday. Staff who are scheduled to work on the Friday before the holiday Monday, should be encouraged to leave one and a half hours (1.5) early the Friday before the long-weekend, from the end of their regular workday. 

Subject to the operational requirements of the division/department, early closures for 2020 apply to the following:

  • Friday, May 15 (prior to Victoria Day)
  • Friday, July 31 (prior to the Civic Holiday)
  • Friday, September 4 (prior to Labour Day)

Staff who are required to work full hours on any of the early closing days shall be given one and a half hours (1.5) off on another day during the summer, to be scheduled by their manager.

Overtime pay on the early closing days shall apply only in situations where employees are required to work beyond their regularly scheduled hours and have the approval of their manager. Any overtime must be submitted and approved using the HRMS.

Statutory Holidays

The College will be closed on the following Statutory Holidays during 2020:

*Victoria Day Monday, May 18
Canada Day Wednesday, July 1
*Civic Holiday Monday, August 3
*Labour Day Monday, September 7
*Thanksgiving Monday, October 12

Note: The December /January Holiday Closure details to be sent closer the date

Statutory Holiday Pay

Staff required to work on a statutory holiday shall be entitled to paid time and one-half for each hour worked, plus holiday pay or equivalent time off in lieu. Refer to the applicable collective agreement or admin staff policy for further details on eligibility and qualifying rules for statutory holiday pay.

Part-time staff may be eligible for holiday pay, plus time and one half pay, for hours worked on any statutory holiday. To qualify for statutory holiday pay, part-time employees must have worked on their scheduled day of work preceding and following the recognized holiday.

Payments made to all part-time staff shall be equal to the total amount of regular wages and vacation pay payable to the employee in the pay prior to the statutory holiday, divided by the number of days worked in the prior pay period.

Any questions, please contact the HR Support Centre:

Call 416.675.5001
Chat with us at humber.ca/hrchat
Submit an e-form at humber.ca/hrinquiry

When:
May 6, 2020
Contact:
Casey Norris
Quarantots Kids' Art Call

Humber Galleries is excited to announce our new call for artwork: #Quarantots!

We love getting to see works from creators of all ages everyday and now we want to see artwork from a super special group of creators – kids!

Each Monday we'll be posting a special weekly theme on our social media channels that we want to see all sorts of artwork about. Every Friday we'll be posting some of our favourites from the week on our social media and we'll be creating a special online gallery for each theme for everyone to see the artworks that come in. We're going to be posting all sorts of themes from outer space to pets to flowers so we want to see some wild creativity in these!

Check out humbergalleries.ca/quarantots or @Humbergalleries on social media for info on how to get involved.

When:
May 6, 2020
Contact:
Humber Global
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster

Are your students ready to expand their global knowledge this spring? Invite them to join Humber’s unique free Global Citizenship Certificate program starting this May 19, 2020!  

Why enrol in the Global Citizenship Certificate? 

The Global Citizenship Certificate is a multi-disciplinary program designed for currently enrolled students from all Academic Faculties. Envisioned as a "global backpack" or a set of courses and experiences that students fit into their current studies, the program requires students to examine the questions of meaning and value associated with the theme of citizenship within today's global world.

Through a combination of academic courses, travel experiences and extra-curricular activities, they will gain a highly valued global perspective, a deepened understanding of human diversity, interconnectedness, and cultural complexity and an enhanced sense of personal and community responsibility. They will be awarded a Certificate of Completion in Global Citizenship which will appear on their transcript. 

Participants will take the first course in the series of three, GBLC 001, this summer. Approximately 28 hours of coursework done at your own pace. 

How do students register? 

Please encourage students to register here.

For more information about the GCC, visit our website

For more information or any questions about Humber’s Global Citizenship Certificate, please contact studyabroad@humber.ca.

When:
May 6, 2020
Contact:
Occupational Health & Safety Services
Tel:
x5473
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster
,
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH)

Is your couch, bedroom, or kitchen serving as your home “office” these days? Are you finding it challenging to work comfortably from home? Office safety and physical exercise are important topics for those working remotely. For our third day of NAOSH week, we are focusing on ergonomics of your home workstation and promoting physical activity!

Ergonomics

  • Check out the attached PROergonomics tip sheet to learn how to safely position your home office equipment.
  • Gather ways to maximize comfort at your workstation, by joining the next Ergonomics @ Home webinar on May 13. 
  • Check that your office electrical cords are not damaged, are not posing a tripping hazard, and are not overloading a power bar.
  • Prevent eye strain! Practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. This helps to exercise the muscles in your eyes.
  • Consult with your manager if you have office equipment needs while working remotely.

Physical Activity

  • Attempt to get up and stretch for five minutes every hour. Changing positions and moving will help prevent muscle strain.
  • Try these simple workstation stretches you can do at your home office.
  • Visit @humberfitnessnorth for inspiration, activities, and challenges.
  • Schedule a workout into your day to help keep you refreshed and energized. YouTube has videos to spark new ideas!

If you find these resources to be helpful, we’d love to know! During NAOSH Week, share any positive changes you’ve made to improve your health and safety to healthandsafety@humber.ca to be entered in a draw to win a $20 Amazon gift card. 

 

What is NAOSH Week?

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week events and activities have been held in Canada, the United States and Mexico since 1997. The goal during Safety and Health Week is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community.  In Canada, NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE).  For more information, go to www.naosh.ca or www.csse.org.

 

hrs.humber.ca/safety

When:
May 5, 2020
Contact:
Melissa Beauchamp
Tel:
x4137
Image of smiling student with Giving Tuesday message to support the SOS Fund

Today is #GivingTuesdayNow - a global day of generosity and unity, and a day for everyone to come together to give back to help those most impacted by COVID-19.

Many of our students are dealing with extra pressures and unforeseen expenses in these times of uncertainty, which is why we recently launched our Support our Students (SOS) Fund to help those impacted the most.

Even with the supports put forward to date, the need is still great. Click here to listen to Alexia's story to learn about the impact that your support can have, and how every dollar can truly make a difference for our struggling students.

And, with our match extended to May 14 - your donation today can have twice the impact and help even more students!

A big thank you to everyone who has supported the fund to date. Your generosity at a time like this is especially appreciated.

For more information about the SOS Fund or how you can help, contact Melissa Beauchamp at melissa.beauchamp@humber.ca.

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