Central Health calling for kindness as employees face online harassment
CBC
The CEO of Central Health is calling for kindness and respect from both employees and patients as medical professionals in central Newfoundland face harassment on social media.
Andrée Robichaud says what began as support for health-care workers at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has turned into hostility in recent weeks, fuelled by long wait times at emergency rooms across Newfoundland and Labrador and a recruitment issue that has led to understaffing.
"We have recruitment issues as the rest of the country does. People are frustrated and I understand that, but they really kind of need to be respectful toward our staff and our staff need to be respectful toward our clients," Robichaud told CBC News Monday.
The situation came to a head earlier this month, when the health authority issued a statement asking all parties to remember to be kind and respectful after Facebook posts about Central Health employees were shared on social media.
Robichaud said posts included some nurses by name, calling the posts harsh and derogatory. Some affected employees have asked the health authority if the posts could be considered defamatory, and have asked their employer if they would be supported if the incident were to be taken to court.
"I've had meetings with a group of employees in one of my regions where they felt attacked by the community, and they felt very bad," she said. "They don't deserve it."
Robichaud said similar incidents have also happened at Central Health facilities, where patients and employees have gotten into verbal altercations.
The health authority sent a notice to employees in June asking them to be more respectful in situations that could become hostile, she said.
"That is very difficult on our staff, and I think that if the population does have some concerns, we have a mechanism," Robichaud added.
"If we have some employees that are not responding in an appropriate manner, we want to know about it. But going out on social media and attacking our employees, I don't think is appropriate."
Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a farewell message to Canadians Thursday as he marks his last full day in office.
The Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs says about 80 per cent of volunteer firefighters in the territory are wearing expired protective equipment, putting them in danger and in violation of occupational health and safety regulations when they respond to emergencies.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault will be given a new portfolio in Mark Carney's cabinet, a source with knowledge of the decision told Radio-Canada.
The Alberta government has suspended a loan program at Picture Butte Feeder Cooperative, the province's largest cattle financing cooperative, after an inspection alleged a number of financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.
If you look up at the sky late, late Thursday in the Toronto area, there's a chance you'll be able to see a total lunar eclipse and what's called a blood moon.
When wintertime calls, go where it's warm.
Colby Leamon had lost a close family member, and was looking for a dog to provide emotional support.
The cost of a 24-pack of beer could increase $3 to $5 because of 25 per cent tariffs on aluminum exported to the United States, according to a craft brewery in northern Ontario.
Fire tore through a seafood processing plant in Cape John, N.S., on Wednesday night.
Another of New Brunswick's new municipal councils has become embroiled in drama and bitter conflict.
Tardiness is nothing new at Via Rail, but late arrivals are reaching historic levels in a key corridor since passenger trains have been forced to slow down at hundreds of rail crossings operated by CN Rail.
Walmart Canada will stop selling machetes — a type of weapon frequently used in violent crimes — in stores across the country, after Manitoba's government pressured the retailer to restrict online sales.
The parents of two 15-year-old girls at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon say they went to police and the school multiple times between June and August 2024 with concerns about escalating online threats from the student now accused of setting one of the girls on fire in a school hallway.