Connexion Corner: ESDC's Monthly Learning Bulletin
October 2021 Edition
No matter your role within our department, you can find something to fit your unique needs and interests within Connexion Corner: your one-stop-shop for everything learning related at ESDC!
Healthy Workplace Month
October is an exciting month at ESDC. We are marking Healthy Workplace Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as well as International Conflict Resolution Week. Read on to learn about the strong connection between these three areas, and to discover the many learning activities ESDC has to offer this month.
Ready to start learning? Browse the learning options below to register for the offerings of your choice, or send this page to your colleagues to make it a team event.
Spotlight on!
Under the theme of Feeling Great at Work, Healthy Workplace Month is being celebrated all month long at ESDC. Healthy Workplace Month provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness around the importance of the health and well-being of employees, whether that be maintaining one's own mental health, contributing to an inclusive work environment, managing conflict informally or ensuring occupational health and safety.
As a part of the Healthy Workplace Challenge, and to help you "feel great at work", the Human Resources Services Branch has put together a list of available live sessions during the month of October. Keep reading to find events around managing conflict, healthy workplaces, accessibility and more.
We are sometimes faced with conflict in the workplace. Knowing how to deal with it effectively can help improve your mental health and well-being. The Office of Informal Conflict Management (OICM) invites everyone to celebrate Conflict Resolution Week at ESDC from October 18-22. With different activities everyday, you are sure to find one that will interest you.
We all have a role to play in fostering a healthy workplace that supports well-being and belonging. Take the opportunity on October 26 to learn more about how to become a good ally by registering for Diversity and Allyship - What is the best way to support our colleagues?
October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month, shining a light on employment inclusion for people who experience a disability and marking the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities.
An important part of feeling great at work is having the necessary tools to participate fully in the workplace. As you know, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion is an important learning priority at ESDC. You will find some resources below that will help you discover how you can make accessibility a priority in the workplace.
IT Accessibility Office (ITAO)
Part of maintaining a healthy and inclusive work environment means making sure that our documents, websites and computer equipment meet federal accessibility standards and guidelines.
Did you know that the IT Accessibility Office (ITAO) offers a wide range of accessibility services as well as documentation accessibility coaching sessions? Contact ITAO or sign up directly in Saba to register for their accessibility coaching session. Watch this space for more information on what you can learn through the ITAO.
Accessibility Learning Series
If you are interested in knowing more about accessibility in the public service, the Accessibility Learning Series from the Canada School of Public Service has a wealth of resources at your fingertips.
For departmental learning about accessibility, visit the Accessibility page on iService.
Make a Spotlight Submission! nc-college-gd@servicecanada.gc.ca
Explore these online learning offerings at anytime
- Canada's Healthy Workplace Month – Resource Well
- LifeSpeak (Client Password: canada)
- Promoting happiness in everyday life
- K099 – Reflecting on Cultural Bias: Indigenous Perspectives
- K105 – Reconciliation begins with me
- Building Significant Relationships with your Employees to Promote Psychological Health
- Building a Strong Relationship With One's Manager for Workplace Wellbeing
- Sleep: Why it's important and how to get more of it
- New Everyday Wellness Tools
- Staying motivated to create, collaborate and succeed with workplace engagement
- Mental Health in the Workplace: A Shared Responsibility!
- Mental Health Awareness (Z041)
- Health and Wellness Strategies (Z042)
- Psychologically Healthy Workplaces (Z043)
- Staying Balanced in a Shifting World (W013)
- ESDC Data Week
Do more learn more
Ask Coco!
Dear Coco,
I arrived at ESDC a few weeks ago. The other day, a few of my colleagues were talking about making time in their calendar to finish their Essential Training Curriculum (ETC). Do I need to complete this training too? Where do I sign up? Thanks in advance!
- Curious about ETC
Dear Curious,
Welcome to ESDC!
The Essential Training Curriculum, also known as ETC, is training every indeterminate and term employee at ESDC is required to take. There are different curricula for Employees, Managers and Executives.
The ETC is made up of courses on a variety of subjects. You could say: It's just the essentials! You will learn about values and ethics, understanding your pay, Indigenous awareness and much more.
The employee curriculum consists of 14 courses that are organized by completion deadline to help you plan your training completion with your workload. Some courses must be completed within 3 months, while others must be completed within 6 or 12 months.
You will notice that one course on the list, the Harassment and Violence Prevention course, needs to be completed by December 31st, 2021 for existing employees. New employees must complete it within 3 months of their arrival at ESDC. There is a course for employees (W101), as well as an additional course for Managers and members of Workplace Health and Safety committees/representatives (W102).
Have you completed a course from the ETC at another department? No need to repeat it! Open a ticket with the National Service Desk, attach your proof of completion, and they will take care of the rest.
To get started on your ETC, follow the steps outlined here.
You can learn more by visiting the ETC page on IService. Check out the interactive FAQ section too!
ESDC Data Week
Date: October 18 – 22, 2021
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (EDT)
Language: Bilingual
Learning Priority: Digital Mindset
- Description:
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Virtual presentations and interactive sessions focused on managing and using data in an ethical, secure, and meaningful way. An opportunity to connect with ESDC leaders and teams to learn about how data impacts our work, modernization and Canadians.
Coaching mini-sessions
Date: October 19, 2021
Time: 30 minute sessions between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Language: English or French
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
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Are you currently experiencing a challenge at work and are curious about what coaching is all about? Then sign up for these confidential one-on-one sessions with a certified coach. In partnership with you, the coach will help you identify strategies and solutions to overcome this challenge. To try coaching is to adopt it!
Coaching Awareness Session
English: October 19, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (EDT)
French: October 19, 2021, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
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Have you discovered an interest in coaching, or would you like to hone your skills? Well, mark your calendars! In this introduction to coaching techniques, participants will learn the distinction between coaching and mentoring (yes, there is a difference). You will be introduced to coaching as a distinct communication tool. Come discover the power and impact of professional coaching!
Group Coaching on Creating a Culture of Trust
English: October 20, 2021, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (EDT)
French: October 20, 2021, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
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Join a group coaching session on creating a culture of trust. What does trust even mean? If you're curious about this terminology, join a session where you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and gather insights on the seven (7) key elements that help build trust in the workplace.
Brave Conversations
Date: October 21, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (EDT)
Language: English or French
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
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This workshop explores the value and qualities of courageous communicators. It provides you with a set of strategies that will help you overcome the obstacles that inhibit courage within us.
Difficult Performance Management Conversations
Date: October 21, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Language: English or French
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
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In this workshop, you will discuss conversations related to performance reviews, why some are difficult, and some strategies for handling them well. You will explore these strategies and practices by applying them to real-life scenarios of performance reviews.
Creating accessible content using Microsoft Office 2016
English: October 21, 2021, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM (EDT)
French: October 21, 2021, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services, Foundational Skills
- Description:
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Learn practical tips and best practices to use MS Office 2016 to create accessible content with Outlook, Word and PowerPoint.
Talking Circles on Return-to-Work Post-COVID
English: October 22, 2021, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (EDT)
French: October 22, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
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The past two (2) years have been challenging for most of us. It is only natural that the impending return to the workplace (whether via a hybrid model or full-time approach) is a source of anxiety. Come and discover the benefits (connection, empathy, resilience) of participating in such a circle in a confidential and non-judgmental setting.
Diversity and Allyship - What is the best way to support our colleagues?
English: October 26, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT)
French: October 26, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
-
Belonging is a core human need. Creating an inclusive, diverse, psychologically healthy and safe workplace is everyone's responsibility. Being an ally is one thing we can do to contribute to a culture in which all employees feel valued, supported and heard… but how do we do it well? Come interact with panelists as they share their experiences with allyship (good and bad!), and explore the connection between belonging, a healthy, diverse and inclusive workplace, and individual mental health.
Try this!
- ESDC Data Week – learn how to #Domorewithdata
Under the theme of ESDC's Data Journey: From collection to insights, ESDC's first Data Week will take place from October 18th to 22nd. Whether you have been working with data for years, or you want to know more about what it can do for you, check out the many activities Data Week has to offer.
Try your hand at a visualization game or a scavenger hunt, or attend a drop in lunch with different Chief Data Office Divisions.
To register, or for more information about ESDC Data Week events, visit the Chief Data Office website.
- Desktop Application Training Anytime – Available Now!
- Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and Power BI
- Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
- A few other useful applications such as Tableau and MindManager.
If this training opportunity interests you, talk to your manager, and sign up now! Remember that this training is available at any time. Please obtain your manager's approval to complete this training during work hours. The number of licenses are limited, and the training will be available until March 31, 2022.
Sneak Peek
Your Connexion Corner theme for November is "Celebrating Diversity". Keep a lookout for an Ask Me Anything learning event later in November with LGBTQ2+ colleagues.