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Resources & Tools

Resources and Tools

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Motor vehicle incidents are among the leading causes of traumatic workplace injuries and fatalities in BC. The Safe Driving for Work Checklist has been developed to help employers and their workers take proactive steps to manage driving-related risks. This checklist serves as a practical guide to reinforce safe driving practices and is designed to be used before, during, and after each trip.
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In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
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Programs & Services

Programs and Services

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Leading from the Inside Out
Leading from the Inside Out provides a safe space for leaders in continuing care to share their challenges and learn self-care practices.
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The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum is recognized as best-practice in violence prevention training for health care workers.
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Guidelines & Regulations

Guidelines and Regulations

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Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR), Part 5: Chemical Agents and Biological Agents – Emergency Planning came into effect on February 3, 2025. Changes include additional requirements to minimize the risk, likelihood, and harm caused by an emergency involving hazardous substances.   Hazardous substances include biological, chemical or physical hazards that may reasonably […]
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WorkSafeBC has acknowledged an error in calculating the 2025 insurance premiums that are paid by our two member employer groups–those providing community health support services (classification unit 766006) and those in long-term care (classification unit 766011).
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Safety Huddle

Civility and respect - Building a positive workplace for healthcare workers

This safety huddle aims to foster a positive work environment for healthcare workers by promoting civility and respect. It aims to help staff define civility and respect, understand the impact of uncivil behaviour on individuals, teams, and resident/client care, and identify strategies for respectful communication and constructive responses to disrespect.

What is civility and respect?

Civility and respect mean treating everyone in the workplace with kindness, consideration, and courtesy, regardless of their role or background. It involves active listening, valuing diverse perspectives, and communicating constructively, even during disagreements.

After this huddle, staff should be able to:

  • Define civility and respect in the workplace context.
  • Explain the impact of (un)civil behaviour on individual and team well-being and
    resident/client care.
  • Identify strategies for promoting respectful communication and interactions.
  • Practice responding to disrespectful behaviour constructively.

Instructions

Read the scenario aloud and use the guiding questions and key discussion points to discuss workplace civility and respect.

Notes to the huddle leader

  • Emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding in the workplace.
  • Encourage participants to share personal experiences and strategies for fostering a
    respectful environment.
  • Remind everyone that creating a positive workplace culture is a shared responsibility.
  • If complex stories emerge that you cannot navigate, refer colleagues to existing
    supports, such as Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), Care to Speak, or
    other available services.

Scenarios

Long-term care - It’s a hectic morning on the unit, and Sarah, a care aide, feels the pressure of being short-staffed. She’s doing her best but running behind on her tasks. As she rushes down the hallway, the nurse supervisor, Kim, approaches her, clearly frustrated. “You’re behind, Sarah,” Kim shouts, pointing out her delays in front of a resident and their family. Sarah’s face turns red with embarrassment, and she feels demoralized. The resident’s family looks uncomfortable, and the rest of the team senses the tension. Sarah’s already-stressed mood deepens, and the whole team feels the weight of the situation.

Home and community care – Anika, a new home care worker, has joined an established team. During their first team meeting, she shares an idea for streamlining documentation to save time. Liam, always open to improvements, agrees, but Parveen dismisses the idea, saying, “That’s not how we do things here, Anika.” Anika feels a wave of discouragement wash over her. The room, once filled with the potential for collaboration, now feels unwelcoming. She retreats into silence, wondering if her ideas will ever be valued.

Guiding Questions – Long-term care scenario

  • How did Kim’s behaviour in the scenario impact Sarah, the resident and their family, and the overall team environment?
  • How could Kim have handled the situation differently, while still addressing the issue of the Sarah running behind on her tasks?
  • What are some common examples of disrespectful behaviour we might encounter in our workplace?
  • How can we address disrespectful behaviour when we experience or witness it?
  • How can we promote civility and respect in daily interactions with colleagues, residents, and their families?

Guiding Questions – Home and community care scenario

  • How did the team’s response to Anika’s suggestion impact their sense of belonging and willingness to contribute?
  • How could the team have responded differently to foster a more welcoming and inclusive environment?
  • What common behaviours can make new team members feel excluded or undervalued?
  • How can we ensure everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives, regardless of their experience or seniority?
  • What are the benefits of having a team culture where everyone feels respected and valued?
  • What are some things the team could do after this scenario?

Downloads
Civility and respect - Building a positive workplace for healthcare workers
This safety huddle aims to foster a positive work environment for healthcare workers by promoting civility and respect. It aims to help staff define civility and respect, understand the impact of uncivil behaviour on individuals, teams, and resident/client care, and identify strategies for respectful communication and constructive responses to disrespect.
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Civility and respect - Building a positive workplace for healthcare workers

Additional Resources

A blog post from SafeCare BC CEO Saleema Dhalla The foundation of healthcare is compassion, yet within many organizations, workplace incivility is an underrecognized threat that impacts staff well-being, team collaboration, and, ultimately, resident outcomes. Respect, professionalism, and kindness should not just be "nice to haves." Research has shown that incivility among healthcare workers can […]
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When it comes to workplace incivility and bullying, are you part of the problem? Review the questions in the checklist and tick-off those situations that you have actively participated in.
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Learn about what workplace incivility is, be able to identify your role and how to feel empowered to contribute to a positive work environment.
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View Safety Huddle
Learn to recognize when someone is intoxicated, exercise your right to refuse unsafe work and how to objectively document intoxication.
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View Safety Huddle
In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
View Toolkit
Dedicated to providing the best care in BC's long-term care or home health sectors, but find yourself navigating the daily drain of workplace incivility? Those seemingly small acts – such as eye-rolling, hushed gossip, or feeling ignored – can create a heavy atmosphere, impacting both team morale and your well-being. You're not imagining it, and you're not alone. We see you, and we're here with practical tools to help you and your team foster a truly respectful, supportive, and psychologically safer workplace. Learn how to turn the tide on incivility and create a more positive environment for everyone.
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More Safety Huddles

This SafeCare BC safety huddle provides guidance on how to utilize your Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee to improve workplace safety. Learn how to report safety hazards, understand the role of the JOHS committee, and find JOHS resources. Ideal for healthcare workers and safety training.
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A strong organizational culture fosters employee engagement, collaboration, and productivity, while a weak or toxic culture can lead to dissatisfaction and high turnover.
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View Safety Huddle
Learn about what bullying and harassment is and when to report it.
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Learn to recognize feeling unsettled, use effective self-settling strategies in situations self-setting may be helpful.
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View Safety Huddle
Safety huddles are important because they focus on improving staff safety by creating solutions and opportunities to communicate, helping build a culture of safety, encouraging positive change within the workplace, and providing staff with a chance to share important information.
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View Safety Huddle
People living with dementia can experience changes in how they understand and process language, which can affect how they communicate.
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Learn to follow proper hand washing procedures.
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Working with clients or residents and their families is not always easy. You may not be able to control how others act, but you can control how you respond.
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View Safety Huddle
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We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
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