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Resources & Tools

Resources and Tools

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A joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee is an advisory group of employer and employee representatives working together to promote a safe and healthy workplace.
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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 SafeCare BC levy, which is included in the premiums 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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Get PSyched! - May 2025

Non-verbal communication 

What we say matters—but what we don’t say often speaks louder. 

What is non-verbal communication? 

What we say matters—but what we don’t say often speaks louder. 

Non-verbal communication—things like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice—can have a large impact on how a message is understood. Statistics suggest that only 7% of communication occurs from our chosen words.  

Here’s an all too familiar example: Imagine you’ve sent your colleague a text message explaining something at work. Their response? A simple “Ok.” 

You might think they’re uninterested or even dismissive. It may affect how you feel about them. But without the benefit of non-verbal communication, the full meaning behind a message can be lost. 

Communicating effectively 

Understanding the importance of non-verbal communication helps us become better communicators.  

If we fail to recognize our non-verbal cues, we may unintentionally impact how our message is interpreted. 

Telling our colleagues they “did a great job” may come across as insincere if we are crossing our arms and avoiding eye contact while speaking. 

That same message becomes much more effective if we say it with a smile while maintaining eye contact. 

Strategies for non-verbal communication in the workplace 

Healthy non-verbal communication is key to fostering a respectful workplace and supporting clear, effective communication.   

  • Remember, the meaning of some non-verbal communication can vary from culture to culture. Understanding these differences can help build trust and avoid misinterpretation.  
  • Avoid jumping to conclusions based on a single incident. Instead, consider a pattern of behaviours and be mindful of your biases to get a more accurate understanding.  
  • Consider offering or participating in education and training on effective communication and cultural awareness.   
  • Reflect on your learnings from the Provincial violence prevention curriculum: 
    • Relax your facial expression. 
    • Use respectful eye contact. 
    • Use the ready posture approach. 
    • Touch with caution—–including a person’s belongings (ask for permission).  

Reflection 

Pick one interaction today (with a resident, client, or coworker). Pay close attention to the person’s nonverbal cues. What do you notice about their posture, facial expression, and tone? Then reflect—what was your nonverbal communication like at that moment?  

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Non-verbal communication  resources

Leaders, join us for an interactive session to explore social intelligence (SI) and safety culture.
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News Story
Q&A with Shannon Kenning
September 10, 2019
Good communication is critical for any relationship. It’s especially important in the workplace.  We had a chance to talk with Shannon about the importance of good communication.
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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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