POLAR XPRESS – January 25, 2021

FROM THE TOP

Bell Let's Talk Day is Approaching

Bell Let’s Talk launched in 2010 with a focus on building awareness, acceptance and action in mental health. Since then Canadians have taken the conversation around mental health to remarkable heights, making it clear that mental health matters. Building on ten years of increased awareness and acceptance around mental health, Bell Let’s Talk is focused on engaging Canadians to take action to create positive change in mental health.

Now more than ever, every action counts. On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate more towards mental health initiatives in Canada by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk. In recognition of Bell Let’s Talk Day, POLAR will be holding an all staff meeting on January 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss mental health.

2020 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES)

The PSES is an opportunity for you to have your voice heard on important aspects of your workplace. This year’s survey focuses on many important themes including workplace wellbeing, organizational performance, duty to accommodate, diversity and inclusion, and the impact of COVID-19 on you and your work. Although your participation in the survey is voluntary, your feedback will help your organization identify what is working well and where improvements are required. This will contribute toward public service-wide efforts in support of a high-performing world class public service.

If you have already completed the 2020 Public Service Employee Survey, we thank you. Fifty percent of POLAR’s employees have participated so far, and we’re hoping this number will continue to grow until the survey closes on January 29.

If you haven’t already done so, please take 20 minutes to complete the survey. Your manager will ensure you have time to complete it during your normal workday. If you haven’t yet received an email invitation to participate in the survey, please contact Advanis at 1-866-539-7829 or at pses-saff@advanis.ca. Your perspective matters!

Office of Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) Newsletter

For your interest we’re sharing the January 2021 newsletter from the Government of Canada’s Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer. Look inside for information on topics ranging from pension contribution rates to updates on Bill C-65 Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations. To read the newsletter, download OCHRO’s January newsletter (PDF).

POLAR is on LinkedIn

With POLAR’s new LinkedIn page up and running, now is the perfect time to add it to your personal profile, should you wish to do so! Follow the simple steps below to get set up.

How to add POLAR’s new company page to the job experiences listed on your personal profile:

  1. Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
  2. Click View profile.
  3. Click the pen symbol beside your current role at POLAR (if you do not have your current role added to your experiences click + on the experience section to create a new one) Under Company type Polar Knowledge Canada
  4. Click Save.

How to follow POLAR on LinkedIn to get key updates and information from the page:

  1. Search Polar Knowledge Canada
  2. On the homepage click Follow in the top right corner

Once connected, employees are encouraged to share, like and interact with posts and job posters from POLAR’s page to bring views and engagement through your personal networks. The Communications Team are excited and open to receiving any LinkedIn post ideas you may have, and suggestions are always welcome!

New Canada School of Public Service events

Career Boot Camp: Taking your Career Path Virtual
Across government, virtual work has become a new reality, forcing public servants to adopt the Beyond2020 mindsets and behaviours. As a result, employees are learning to leverage this new landscape, and cultivate their career with more possibilities than ever before. This is a multiple session event, with varied dates and times. By registering for this event, you will have access to all ten sessions. Links for each session will be provided in advance of the event.

Sessions

Date: January 26 to February 3, 2021 (ET)
Audience: All public servants at all levels
Register for webcast

CSPS Virtual Café Series: Lived Experiences of Black Canadians
The collective impact of Black individuals on the growth, well-being, and prosperity of our country is truly remarkable. That many of these achievements were made while also confronting and combatting inequality, discrimination, and racism make them all the more significant.

To mark the start of Black History Month 2021, the Canada School of Public Service wants to focus on the achievements, experiences, and knowledge of two extraordinary Black leaders in Canada.

Date and time: February 1, 2021 | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (ET)
Registration deadline: February 1, 2021, 9:00 am (ET)
Language: English, with interpretation in French
Location: This event will be delivered virtually. A link to the live broadcast will be provided to registered participants.
Audience: All public servants at all levels
Register for webcast

Please note, prior to registering for an event, you must request permission from your supervisor.

POLAR’S PEOPLE

Return of the Sun in Cambridge Bay

After weeks of darkness, the sun has made its way back to Cambridge Bay, bringing joy to all. The beautiful sun washed over the frozen tundra with pinks and purples across the sky. Thanks to Janine Angohiatok for sharing this incredible photograph.

Return of the Sun in Cambridge Bay

LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE

Inuktut word of the week

The Inuktut word of the week is hiqiniq | ᓯᕿᓂᖅ: the sun

Pronounce it like this: hey-kee-neck

Listen to the pronunciation here:

Are you ready to Talk the Talk?

Talk the Talk

UPDATES

Key outcomes from Executive Team Meeting (ETM)

Here are the key outcomes and decisions from the January 21, 2021, ETM:

  • The President briefed the Executive Team on the following items:
    • She was pleased to learn that all ETM members had completed the Public Service Employee Survey, and asked managers to encourage all staff to do the same.
    • She informed the team that she will call an all-staff meeting on January 28, on Bell Let’s Talk Day, and asked is interested in arranging a guest speaker who can make a brief presentation on mental health and wellness and answer employee questions.
    • She reminded the team of her key priorities for the next year, namely, engagement with Indigenous partners and advancement of POLAR’s Inuit Employment Plan, which are supported by the Minister. She expressed her appreciation for the efforts of all staff during these busy times as we are working on several key files related to these priorities.
    • She debriefed the team on her meeting with Mayor of Cambridge Bay and their discussion on Council’s upcoming consideration on POLAR’s plans to restart the call for research support in 2021.
  • Members were updated on the current status of POLAR’s financial forecast as well as procurement. Managers are reminded to regularly review their salary and O&M forecasts and provide Finance with updates in a timely manner.
  • To help managers to better understand their accountabilities under POLAR’s financial delegation matrix and its associated notes, the Finance team presented some scenarios to demonstrate how managers would determine authority requirements and other considerations when exercising their delegation. Members found the demonstration to be helpful and it was recommended that mandatory mini training sessions be organized all employees with a financial delegation.

WORKPLACE NOTICES

Test your Penguin Knowledge!

Did you miss Penguin Awareness Day on January 20? Don’t be sad – you can celebrate it now with this fun activity! The Communications Team has put together a crossword puzzle to test your knowledge of these interesting and unique creatures. Did you know that there are 18 different known species of penguins?

crossword-penguins-en

I want to test my knowledge about these fascinating birds!