Our people

Oct. 13, 2020 1:00 p.m.

​City staff have adapted to realities of COVID-19 to continue delivering Service Excellence

As COVID-19 persists, the City of Vaughan’s dedicated employees continue to be the most important asset in moving the City forward. All departments have adapted quickly and efficiently to rise to the challenge and ensure city-building has not slowed down.

Throughout the global pandemic, Vaughan has been guided by three core values – readiness, resiliency and resourcefulness – which continue to shape ongoing response efforts. During a recent meeting of the City's Ready, Resilient and Resourceful (RRR) Committee of Council, one of the focuses was on the role and actions of “our people.”
 
Currently, more than 50 per cent of City employees are working effectively and productively from home. Staff required to work on-site or in the field have been provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment and strict health and safety protocols and procedures to abide by. This response is in addition to the increased cleaning and disinfecting measures in facilities that have been completed since COVID-19 emerged to keep staff safe.
 
Initiated at the start of the pandemic, all staff receive a bi-weekly newsletter with key health and wellness information and resources they can leverage, in addition to frequent updates on COVID-19. New initiatives are also being introduced to ensure staff have all the required information and resources they need to successfully and safely complete their roles. Further, a workplace wellness program is being created to encourage self-care, along with an Emerging Leaders Program designed to mentor and help employees grow into leadership roles within the organization.
 
The mandate of the RRR Committee of Council is to report on issues related to the City’s ongoing response efforts to the global COVID-19 pandemic. At its Sept. 29 meeting, discussions focused on updates and actions taken by City staff in the following categories: our people, our places, our services, our finances, our economy and our communications. Next week, the City will share additional information about “our places.”
 
QUOTE
“Long before the world had ever heard about COVID-19, the City of Vaughan began developing an alternative workplace arrangement framework, which can lead to increases in productivity, retention and cost savings. When it came time to stay home, Vaughan kept working from home. And we have not stopped since. We enhanced remote access capabilities to help staff set up home offices, collaborate with colleagues and carry on with their work. Every department has a business continuity plan in place that was reviewed, updated and has been implemented. Whether it is by email, phone, Skype or Zoom, being remotely connected allows us to respond to ongoing challenges in a useful and timely manner. I want to acknowledge all members of our administration for thinking strategically and for seeing the unseen opportunities presented by our current situation. The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan continues to guide our efforts as we navigate through the impacts of the virus.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
  • Vaughan was the first city in Ontario and the first municipality in York Region to declare a state of emergency on March 17.
  • Unanimously endorsed by Council during the May 27 Council Meeting, the mandate of the RRR Committee is to report on issues related to the City’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts and plan for Vaughan’s post-pandemic future. The RRR Committee continues to work closely with members of Vaughan’s administration to identify immediate and long-term impacts of this global pandemic on City business and plan for its continued success. 
  • Throughout the pandemic, the City of Vaughan has ensured quality services are delivered for families, businesses and all citizens. The priority remains the health, safety and well-being of everyone that lives and works in the community.
  • Vaughan continues to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to reopening the city. As some restrictions are lifted, other precautionary measures remain in place to protect everyone in the community from further transmission of COVID-19. Visit vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan for more information on ongoing services, recent reopenings, continued closures and programs that have been impacted by the virus.
  • Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings have continued throughout the pandemic. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more about how to participate virtually, including live deputations via teleconference or telephone. Email or written communications are also accepted. Citizens can watch the meetings by tuning into the live broadcast at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
  • ·        Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
LEARN MORE
  • City of Vaughan COVID-19 webpage
  • Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: Oct. 5 news release
  • Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: Sept. 29 staff report
  • Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: Sept. 29 meeting agenda
  • Ready. Resilient. Resourceful: Sept. 29 presentation
  • Mayor Bevilacqua establishes Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: statement
  • Mayor Bevilacqua launches the new Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: statement
  • York Region COVID-19 webpage  
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