Should you wish your faith’s days to be included, please contact the Chaplain for consideration.

Phone: 416.675.6622 ext. 4427
Email: chaplain@humber.ca

02 Saturday
Month of ‘Ala (Baha’i)
‘Ala meaning Loftiness is the 19th and final month of the Baha'i year and the time of a 19-day fast (to March 20). Those of age in good health abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

10 Sunday
Daylight Savings Time
Clocks are moved backward by one hour.
Mahashivratri (Hinduism)
The night before the feast, Hindus recite texts, sing and tell stories to honour Shiva, whose dynamic cosmic dance creates, preserves, destroys and recreates the world.

11 Monday
New Moon

16 Saturday
Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem to Mar 20 (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrates the creation of human beings while those who have passed away are remembered.

17 Sunday
St. Patrick’s Day (Christianity-Western)
Marks the death of Patrick, a missionary to Ireland after having been a slave there, who, reputedly, used the three-leaved shamrock to represent the Christian idea of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

18 Monday
Clean Monday / Great Lent to May 05(Christianity-Eastern)
The first day of the Great Fast (Great Lent) in the final 6 week period leading up to Holy Week and Pascha or Passover.

19 Tuesday
St. Joseph’s Day (Christianity-Catholicism)
Celebrates Joseph as the foster father of Jesus.

20 Wednesday
March (Spring) Equinox
Shunki-sorei-sai (Shinto)
The Spring memorial service is held at home altars to revere ancestors as kami while gravesites are cleansed to be purified.
Ostara (Wicca)
Ostara / Eostre celebrates the return of the Goddess-as-Maiden, the courting of the Goddess by the God, and the reawakening of the seeds within the earth touched by the warmth the Gods’ love. The ringing of bells along with sunrise fires and the decoration of hard-boiled eggs are associated customs.
Spring Ohigon & Kwan Yin Day, Shunbun no hi (Buddhism)
Spring Ohigon is a special time for Jodo Shinshu Buddhists who listen to the teaching of Buddha and meditate on the perfection of enlightenment and/or the harmony in the universe as Buddhism teaches that each person is a Boddhisattva (Buddha-to-be) and may reach the perfected state. Kwan Yin Day is the symbolic future Buddha in the Chinese tradition, a female dispensing compassion with a thousand arms. For Shunbun no hi, Japanese Buddhists meditate on the harmony in the universe.

21 Thursday
Naw Ruz & Baha’i 1st month begins(Baha’i)
New Year BE (Baha’i Era) is an evening feast and celebration to recognize the first month of the Baha’i year.
Now Ruz(Zoroastrianism)
Now Ruz means New Day and is the traditional New Year’s Day for ancient Persia that celebrates the renewal of the world and the creation of fire (symbolic of Asha or righteousness). Zarathustra received his revelation on this day. Celebrations included cleaning homes, buying new clothes plus visiting family elders, relatives and friends.

24 Sunday
Palm Sunday (Christianity-Western)
Celebrates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and begins Holy Week until Easter.

25 Monday
Annunciation (Christianity-Western)
Commemorates the visit of the angel, Gabriel, to Mary to tell her that she was chosen to be the mother of Christ.

26 Tuesday
Birth Anniversary of Zarathustra (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrates the birth of the prophet Zoroaster and is also called Khordad Sal.

26 Tuesday
Pesah/Passover to Apr 02 (Judaism)
Commemorates the Exodus, the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and is celebrated for 8 days beginning at dusk (before sundown) on the prior day.

27 Wednesday
Full Moon
Holi (Sikhism / Hinduism)
A festival to celebrate Spring dedicated to Holika, whose sacrificial death saved the life of her nephew, the king’s son, from his tyrant father. People light fires and blow horns and bright colours are used in celebration.

28 Thursday
Hola Mohallah (Sikhism)
Martial arts displays and mock battles are staged to honour Guru Gobind Singh who sought to deter tyranny by armed resistance.
Maundy Thursday (Christianity-Western)
Celebrates the institution of the Lord’s supper by Jesus.

29 Friday
Good Friday (Christianity-Western)
Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ in submission to death by crucifixion.

Office Ergonomics

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) are amongst the most common types of employee injuries. RSIs are painful injuries that may affect tendons, tendon sheaths, muscles, nerves, joints and other soft tissues. Generally they may cause discomfort and/or pain in the neck, shoulders, forearms, hands, wrists, elbows, and lower extremities.

This February 28, 2013,is the 14th Annual International RSI Awareness Day.

 RSIs may be of concern in a variety of job activities including prolonged computer usage. Sitting for extended periods of time at a computer workstation in poorly adjusted equipment, and in awkward postures can introduce a number of ergonomic risk factors that can lead to musculoskeletal pain and discomfort, as well as eye strain.

To recognize RSI Awareness Day at Humber, please review the following general office ergonomics guidelines as they relate to your own computer workstation:

CHAIR:

• Chair height should allow your feet to rest flat on the floor or on a foot rest, with your thighs roughly parallel to the floor.
• There should be about two inches of space between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
• You should be able to maintain contact between your back and the chair’s backrest while working on the computer to allow proper back support.

KEYBOARD/MOUSE POSITION:

• Your elbows should be bent at about a 90 degree angle when your fingers are on the home row of the keyboard, with your upper arms hanging naturally from your shoulders.
• When using a mouse, your wrist should be in a neutral position.
• The mouse should be located beside the keyboard, and you should be able to move it freely on the work surface.

MONITOR AND WORKSTATION:

• Position the monitor about an arm’s length away; and the top of the monitor should be at, or slightly below, eye level.
• Regularly used equipment, such as a phone or files, should be located within an arm’s reach.
• When computer work requires entering information from source documents, document holders should be located beside the screen and on the same plane.
• There should be adequate leg-room under the desk.

LIGHTING:

• Too much or too little light, or glare on the screen can have an impact on your eyes.
• Task specific lighting and appropriate brightness settings on the computer itself are important to consider.

Remember to vary your posture and tasks throughout the day to reduce fatigue and discomfort.

Thank you for reviewing this information.

Other Resource(s):

www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/rsiday2013.php
HR Services | Health and Safety Services

Academic Staff

Most academic staff (faculty, librarians and counsellors) are entitled to two months vacation, as scheduled by their manager.

For the majority of academic staff, the two month 2013 summer vacation period is as follows:

• Begins - Monday, June 24, 2013
• Ends - Friday, August 23, 2013

Faculty are expected to return on Monday, August 26, 2013. Classes begin on September 3, 2013.

A dean, associate dean or school head may arrange alternative dates for vacation periods for academic staff, depending upon the academic and operational requirements of a program.

Support Staff

Vacations are scheduled using the following guidelines:

a) Support staff are entitled to three (3) consecutive weeks of vacation unless otherwise agreed to by their managers, but there is no guarantee that these three weeks can be scheduled during the summer months;

b) The vacation period of July and August, is to be shared fairly amongst all employees. Recognizing operational needs may preclude certain vacation requests, the college will endeavour to accommodate all staff vacation requests. Support staff are required to submit their vacation preferences to their manager by March 1, 2013;

c) Support staff may carry over up to 15 days of vacation as of June 30 of each year, subject to an agreement with their manager to schedule the carryover days in the following year;

d) The college maintains a practice of not replacing staff while they are on vacation.

Administrative Staff

Administrative staff are expected to co-ordinate their planned vacation with their department head by March 1, 2013, giving consideration to operational needs. Administrative staff may carry over, up to a maximum of 15 days of vacation as of August 31  of each year with approval by their department head.

SUMMER HOURS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE

Summer Hours

During the period, May to August, where operationally feasible, deans, directors and school heads have the authority to establish summer working hours for their employees, which 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. Managers need to ensure that regular customer service is maintained when considering requests for summer hours. Arrangements for summer working hours are approved at the discretion of the manager.

Leaves of Absence

In addition to any vacation time, support staff may request an unpaid leave of absence during the May to August summer period. Leaves of absence may be scheduled as weeks off or as days per week off (e.g., working a four day week). Approvals of such leaves are subject to the operational requirements of the division/department.

Due to changes in the pension plan, effective July 1, 2012 all unpaid leaves periods can be purchased by the employee at 100 per cent cost to the employee . If the employee chooses to carry benefits, the cost is 100 per cent paid by the employee. Call Joanne Baker, HR Services, at extension 4023 for details.

Requests for a Summer Leave of Absence are to be submitted in writing to your manager. If the request can be accommodated, the employee's letter and a H.R.I.N. identifying the leave of absence arrangements are to be sent to HR Services. HR Services will confirm the salary arrangements with the manager and the employee.

We would like to wish all staff a pleasant vacation and enjoyable summer. Should there be any questions regarding the scheduling, or taking of vacation, or the observance of holidays, please contact your HR consultant.

COLLEGE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The College will be closed on the following College Holidays during 2013: 

• Family Day - Monday, February 18, 2013
• Good Friday - Friday, March 29, 2013
• *Victoria Day - Monday, May 20, 2013
• *Canada Day - Monday, July 1, 2013
• *Civic Holiday - Monday, August 5, 2013
• Labour Day - Monday, September 2, 2013
• Thanksgiving - Monday, October 14, 2013

*Early Friday Closings

In the summer of 2013, staff scheduled to work, will be allowed to leave one and a half hours (1.5) early on Friday, May 17, 2013,  prior to Victoria Day, on Friday, June 28, 2013, prior to Canada Day and on Friday, August 2, , 2013 prior to the Civic Holiday, subject to the operational requirements of the division/department.

Staff 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 the manager of the area.

Overtime pay on the early closing days shall apply only in situations where employees are required to work beyond their regular number of work hours.

Public Holiday Pay

Staff required to work on a public holiday shall be paid time and one half for each hour worked, plus holiday pay.

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

Payment of all part-time staff who works irregular hours shall be equal to the total amount of regular wages and vacation pay payable to the employee in the four work weeks before the work week in which the public holiday occurred, divided by 20.

Any questions, please contact Joanne Patchett at extension 4970 or Sherry Fast at extension 5089.

2013 02 14
HR Services

24 Hours Newspaper – December 3, 2012 – There could be an app for that!
Article features Humber’s new digital painting and drawing media studies program
http://eedition.toronto.24hrs.ca/epaper/viewer.aspx
Also published on the Toronto Sun

Global Television – December 4, 2012 – English Muffin Challenge
Humber College culinary students Laurentia Komala, Liz Phelan and Alessandra Bonasia appeared on The Morning Show to let the co-hosts taste their English muffin recipes and pick a contest winner. http://www.globaltoronto.com/video/english+muffin+challenge/video.html?v=2312445390

T.O.Night Newspaper – December 10, 2012 -The Business School at Humber helps you never stop learning
Article features Humber’s Business School in newspaper’s postsecondary school special

T.O.Night Newspaper – December 10, 2012- Degree completion programs offer an upgrading option
Article features Humber’s childhood degree program in newspaper’s postsecondary school special

Global Television – December 11, 2012 - Global’s Morning Show
Humber’s Interior Decorating students are given a challenge – to transform the morning show’s studio into Santa’s workshop

National Post – December 11, 2012 –Turning a page on books: Inside the evolving publishing industry
Article features an interview with Cynthia Good, director of Humber’s Creative Book Publishing program
http://business.financialpost.com/2012/12/10/turning-a-page-on-books-inside-the-evolving-publishing-industry/

The Globe and Mail – December 12, 2012 – 9 Ways to Cure your post-holiday blues in Toronto
Article mentions the Humber Arboretum
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/holiday-guide/holiday-survival-guide/9-ways-to-cure-your-post-holiday-blues-in-toronto/article6656654/

Global Television – December 12, 2012 - Global’s Morning Show
Humber’s Interior decorating students reveal Santa’s workshop. Live interviews with program coordinator, Susan Topping and students.
http://www.globaltoronto.com/video/the+morning+show++santas+workshop/video.html?v=2315145755#interviews/video

Toronto Star – December 17, 2013 - Missing pages of history finally written
Article discusses Humber’s partnership with Working Women to create the Women in Electronics program.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2012/12/16/goar_immigrant_women_changed_the_face_of_toronto.html

Metro Toronto – December 20, 2012 - Halfway in and having some doubts?
Article interviews Stephanie Fusco a Humber Public Relations student
http://reader.metronews.ca/digital_launch.aspx?eid=f3d63ab7-b4f0-4bce-b456-64f393318865
Also published on: Metro Vancouver, Metro Calgary, Metro Edmonton, Metro Halifax, Metro London, Metro Ottawa, Metro Saskatoon, Metro Winnipeg

The Globe and Mail – December 27, 2012 - Why book buying stats might stifle the next great author
Article features interview with Cynthia Good, director of Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing program http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/why-book-buying-stats-might-stifle-the-next-great-author/article6755208/

The Toronto Star – December 27, 2012 -The Top 10 art events of 2012
Article mentions “60 Painters” event that took place at Humber’ Art and Media Studios in May 2012
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/visualarts/article/1307265--the-10-top-art-events-of-2012

The Globe and Mail – January 2, 2013 - Toronto Women plan March to press Indian consulate for action against rape
Article mentions Humber’s Business School professor Parveen Gill
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto-women-plan-march-to-press-indian-consulate-for-action-against-rape/article6879908/

Mississauga News – January 7, 2013 – Actor lands part in Wizard of Oz
Article is about Humber’s graduate Alana Randall being a part of The Wizard of Oz cast
http://www.mississauga.com/what's%20on/article/1562234--actor-lands-part-in-wizard-of-oz

Metro Toronto – January 8, 2013 – Be prepared with the business school at Humber
Article features interview with Laurie Turner, associate dean, The Business School
http://reader.metronews.ca/digital_launch.aspx?eid=8fae8bf8-cd57-47d9-beea-1f9ea33e77c8

Vancouver Sun – January 9, 2013 - Vancouver author Sandra Djwa named to Charles Taylor Prize for non-fiction short list
Article features quotes from Joe Kertes, dean, School of Creative and Performing Arts
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Vancouver+author+Sandra+Djwa+named+Charles+Taylor/7796060/story.html#ixzz2IFBVkzlQ

Metro Toronto – January 9, 2013 - How can 'entry-level' mean experience required
Article interviews Chun-Hui Chang a Humber Human Resources Management graduate
http://reader.metronews.ca/digital_launch.aspx?eid=246ad89b-e072-45e3-a278-9b6f5113aa49
Also published on: Metro Vancouver, Metro Calgary, Metro Edmonton, Metro Halifax, Metro London, Metro Ottawa, Metro Saskatoon, Metro Winnipeg

Toronto Star – January 13, 2013 – Minor hockey: Lessons from a non-contact league
Article interviews Bill Robertson, a professor at Humber’s School of Media Studies and Information Technology
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1313876--minor-hockey-lessons-from-a-non-contact-league

Canada AM – January 18, 2012 – Humber hosts World Chocolate Masters competition
Segment mentions Humber hosting the annual World Chocolate Masters competition

Vancouver Sun– January 20, 2013 - Oprah Winfrey a beacon of hope for many viewers
Article features interview with Dan Rowe, professor in Humber’s journalism program
Also published in The Calgary Herald
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/oprah/Oprah+Winfrey+beacon+hope+many+viewers/7841140/story.html

Inquirer – January 20, 2013 - Want to study abroad? Look farther north to Canada
Article mentions Humber as a participant in the Study in Canada Fair 2013
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/344467/want-to-study-abroad-look-farther-north-to-canada