Page 9 - Balance | CHC Annual Report 2020

The Rewiring Of Our Corporation

TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY

and CV-19
and CV-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an inevitable surge in digital technologies due to the social distancing norms
and nationwide lockdowns. It also accelerated our acceptance and adoption of technology in business processes.

CHC successfully transitioned many employees to a work-from-home environment to support our response to COVID-19. We
created a work from home protocol complete with ergonomic assessment, and if needed, the equipment and employment
support. Technological advances and digital products introduced by our Information Technology Department will ensure the
"rewiring" of our corporation will outlast the pandemic.

CHC invested in innovation that provided our employees with the tools, technology and clear processes to deliver services
more effectively. Often the improvements provided better access to the information they require to serve our residents' needs
best. Remote work was enabled by technologies including virtual private networks (VPNs), voice over internet protocols
(VoIPs), virtual meetings, cloud technology, work collaboration tools. All staff were upgraded to Microsoft Office 365 to
standardize office and interoffice productivity applications in use by all staff. In an effort to improve collaboration and
accessibility while working remotely from home or office sites, CHC staff were upgraded from computer desktops to mobile
devices (laptops).

The addition of Green IT was a conscientious effort to bring environmentally-friendly technology into the workplace. For
example, the upgrade of modules used in the YARDI property management software focused on procurement, purchase
order management, invoicing, payables, receivables and vendor management. The upgrade enabled CHC to go primarily
paperless as our invoicing, purchase requisitions, and purchase orders are now digital.
CHC is the largest community housing provider in Windsor-Essex County, delivering the essential service of affordable, safe
housing options. We needed to manage the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic while we remained open without pause.
Amid the global pandemic's immediacy, shifting perspectives, and uncertainty, CHC staff, adapted as needed. We reacted to
the challenges, reassessed what we do, reconfigured, reimagined our corporation and reinvented our activities.

CHC HEALTH AND SAFETY YEAR IN REVIEW JOINT HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

● Despite the state of emergency due to COVID, CHC ● The Joint Health and Safety Committee met regularly, in
maintained legislated safety requirements and launched 2020. Health and safety training was provided to employees
new safety initiatives. in the areas such as infection prevention and control. 6 JHSC
● The Pandemic Plan and training were rolled out in Q1 meetings were held in 2020. JHSC inspection of CHC offices
and residential buildings was completed.
2020 and then revised throughout the year.
● Zero orders were written against CHC by the Ministry of
Windsor Essex CHC Earns Healthy
Labour or the Ministry of Health for safety infractions or
Workplace GOLD Award in the
COVID violations. Health and Safety Category
● Workers completed 423 safety training units.
● Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training was introduced We are proud of our employees' extraordinary efforts, hard
and rolled out to all front line workers work and commitment to supporting each other's health and
● Worker adherence to CHC's plan helped ensure no safety, residents and vendors in response to the COVID-19
pandemic through the appropriate implementation of
worker to worker transmission of COVID and no tenant to
tenant transmission of COVID was reported to CHC. measures in infection prevention, protection and control. The
Working Toward Wellness (WTW) Committee recognized CHC
● Total approved WSIB injury claims, claim costs and days
with a Health & Safety Gold Award. The criteria included
lost are trending down. CHC ergonomic initiatives, Promotion and Awareness Raising, Education and Skill
protective measures on blood-borne pathogens, and Building, Environmental and Administrative Supports,
effective case management helped reduced injury losses. Supportive Policies. 9