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Line 18: − =='''Microsoft 365 Tenant 101'''== − In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada (GC) has made Microsoft 365 (M365) temporarily available for everyone in the GC for work at the unclassified level. This special access is been provided to the GC temporarily, under what we call the GCcollaboration tenant. + − M365 includes all the familiar Microsoft applications already used by the GC – Word, Excel, PowerPoint – but also features the collaboration tool, TEAMS – which combines chat, audio and video calls and document management tools. − M365 uses the cloud – so users do not have to log on to their Departmental networks to use it. + − Using M365 is new to many and there are many questions. We have done our best to put together some answers, below.+ − + − =='''Frequently Asked Questions''' == − − − '''What is a Microsoft 365 “Tenant”?''' − − Essentially, a M365 “tenant” allows the GC a special license to temporarily use and access the Microsoft applications and tools packaged together in M365. For the GC in this time, it is called the GCcollaboration tenant. − − Before Covid-19, there was a phased rollout plan to move many in the GC to M365 with each Department or Agency doing so under their own tenant. The immediate need to telework meant a change in plans. Shared Services Canada (SSC) worked closely with Microsoft to set up one big shared “tenant” for immediate use during the crisis. − Think of the Tenant as a large space we are temporarily renting, while our own homes are closed for renovation. Information Management (IM) is especially important when working this tenant, since it will be turned off at some point. Be sure to pay attention to careful IM practices. + − + − Using M365 temporarily relives the burden on Departmental and Agency networks, which were not built to sustain robust remote access. And it also provides a collaboration tool –TEAMS – which is especially helpful for remote working. + − Essentially, M365 helps GC teams remotely carry on with their usual business – things like video calls, audio calls, and easy document sharing while we are all working from home. It also allows team building, which can be especially important when we don’t have opportunities for face to face interactions. + + − '''How does it work?'''+ + + − The solution resides outside of the GC network, over the Internet. If you have internet access, you can use M365. It is accessible with most employees' own devices, as well as GC-issued devices. No need for VPN! You can access to the application by downloading it on your device or you can use web access.+ − How do I know if my Department or Agency is part of the new Microsoft 365 Tenant?+ − The GC has acquired up to 420, 000 licenses available for use by Departments and Agencies. Users are identified by impacted departments, who will make their own decisions based on various factors. Contact your organization’s CIO team to find out about your access. + + − + − SSC has created a special wiki-style site on “GCcollab” which has an array of M365 training material in various formats including videos, infographics and guides. Departments are also sharing their training resources. + − Check it out [https://wiki.gccollab.ca/M365 here]+ − + − − There is great content on using TEAMS, which is new to many of us. − − Start here: − − [https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/4-tips-for-working-from-home-with-microsoft-teams/ba-p/1202083 Blog: 4 Tips for Working from Home With Microsoft Teams] − − [https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/work-remotely Tips for Effective Remote Work with Microsoft Teams] − [https://support.office.com/en-us/article/video-what-is-microsoft-teams-422bf3aa-9ae8-46f1-83a2-e65720e1a34d?wt.mc_id=otc_microsoft_teams&ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US Quick Start Video for MS Teams]+ − + + − '''My Department has rolled out M365, is this GCcollaboration?'''+ − Not necessarily, some departments were already using M365 in their own departmental tenant, or were able to accelerate their plans to do so. Check with your CIO team to find out more about your organizations status with M365. + − How long will this be in place and will I have access to M365 after the crisis has passed and I am able to return to work? − The GC has special access through the temporary M365 tenant, GC Collaboration, for the duration of our need to telework. We expect this situation to be adjusted as we make the move back to our more regular work circumstances. Most Departments and Agencies will likely move to their own Departmental tenant and SSC will work closely with them on this transition. Watch this space for updates as the situation evolves.
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If you have tips and trick you would like to share, [mailto:ssc.gcremoteworkinggcrw-gctravailadistancegctd.spc@canada.ca please send us an e-mail].
If you have tips and trick you would like to share, [mailto:ssc.gcremoteworkinggcrw-gctravailadistancegctd.spc@canada.ca please send us an e-mail].
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==Working Remotely: Taking Care of Our Mental Health==
Remote working used to be about less commuting, balancing your schedule or avoiding office distractions when you needed special concentrate.
These days, remote working is not an option for many of us, which means a changed work environment – a more stressful one. Many of us work from desks created in the corners of our homes, with new work tools and need to deal with “coworkers” – our pets, children and roommates – who are now with us through our work day.
Balancing all this can be a struggle. The good news? There is help available.
'''How does M365 help with remote working during the Covid-19 crisis?'''
'''Employee Assistance Program (EAP)'''
Through the Government of Canada’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), GC employees have access to completely confidential help provided through a third-party provider in either official language, free of charge.
Check out your Department or Agency’s EAP for Covid-19 related information on topics ranging from working from home with children and concentration and stress. For more information on how you can access your organization’s EAP services check here .
There is also an extensive library of health and wellness resources on [https://canada.lifespeak.com/Account/Login?language=1?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ssccovid19 LifeSpeak], a digital well-being platform, available to those in the GC. It has a section of blog posts related to [https://canada.lifespeak.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fcovid-19%2f4855%3fbps%3dblog%26newsletterID%3d11541%26share%3dtrue&bps=blog&newsletterID=11541&share=true?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ssccovid19 COVID-19] on topics like:
*Helping your kids listen during COVID-19 isolation
*Staying connected as a couple during COVID-19
*Social distancing: What it means and how you can manage it
You can access these through your Department or Agency’s Group Account, where you can create your own account or browse anonymously. The password is “canada”.
'''Sun Life Financial'''
The Government of Canada’s benefits supplier, Sun Life Financial, also offers a '''Mental Health in the Workplace''' series with resources, products and services to help manage mental health issues in your workplace. These resources Include a workplace mental health risk assessment, access to research, resources and videos. You can access it here, in both languages:
[https://www.sunlife.ca/Canada/sponsor/Group+benefits/Group+benefits+products+&+services/Mental+Health+in+the+workplace?vgnLocale=en_CA Sunlife Mental Health in the Workplace]
'''What sort of training available to learn how to use M365?'''
'''Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace'''
Chief Human Resources Officer for the Government of Canada has a web portal for GC workers during Covid-19. Start here [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/covid-19/protect-mental-health.html Mental Health and Covid-19: Protect Your Mental Health] for a list of links and many sources of information related to protecting your mental health. You can also follow along on Twitter @CEMHW_CESMMT for regular updates and timely information.
During Mental Health Week, there was a live “Power Chat” Question and Answer event co-organized by the Federal Workplace Well-Being Network and the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace, in cooperation with the Canada School of Public Service. Expert panelists answered questions on how to maintain social connections while juggling personal responsibilities with professional duties. The event was held in separate English and French sessions. More than 4,000 people registered online. You can watch the event, and others like it, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04F5Fhy4VUU here].
'''How do I learn more about TEAMS?'''
'''How are you feeling? Assess Yourself'''
The Canadian Mental Health Association has a mental health self-assessment tool called the Mental Health Meter that can help you understand the characteristics that make up good mental health.
[https://support.office.com/en-us/article/join-a-teams-meeting-078e9868-f1aa-4414-8bb9-ee88e9236ee4?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US Video on Teams Meetings]
[https://cmha.ca/mental-health-meter Mental Health Meter]
'''Mental Health for Managers'''
The Canadian School of Public Service hosts job aids to help managers on their GC Campus. There you will find a variety of mental health job aids developed specially for those who manage people. There are 13 different chapters with topics including; Balance, Recognition and Rewards and Workload Management.
[https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/Tools/jobaids-eng.aspx#mental Mental Health Job Aids]
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