长期服务and Retirement Recognition Program FAQs
If you need help with your gift order, you can reach out to Rideau, our gift vendor’s customer service representatives atIslandHealth@MyVistance.comor call 1-877-336-9605 on weekdays PST: 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., or Saturdays PST: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
General Questions
What is the Island Health Long Service and Retirement Recognition program?
Island Health formally recognizes employees, volunteers and auxiliary members for their service starting at 5 years (and then in 5-year increments), plus those that retired in the program year with at least 15-years of service. It is an annual program.
How are recipients recognized?
- Recipients with 5 years, and 10 years of service will receive a thank you card and pin from their department manager.
- Recipients with 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of service will receive a pin, and a gift of the recipient’s choice, selected from their milestone year gift catalogue. Gifts are sent to their home address.
- Upon retirement, with 15 or more years of service, retiree recipients will receive a gift of their choice selected from the retirement gift catalogue.*
*Employees who retire during a milestone year will also receive a gift and pin associated with the achievement of the year milestone (as described above).
NOTE: Due to COVID restrictions, long service and retirement recognition events have been suspended until a time when gathering safely is assured.
Who is being recognized?
The program recognizes employees, volunteers and auxiliary members who:
- Between January 1 and December 31 of thecurrent calendar year, reached a milestone 5 or 10 years.
- Those who retired with 15 or more years of service before February 26th of thecurrent calendar year.
- Those that reached a milestone of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years between January 1 and December 31 of theprevious calendar year.
What milestone years are being recognized in 2021?
Recipients being recognized reached their milestone year of service in 2020. We are celebrating those who began working with Island Health in the following years:
1970 – 50 Years |
1975 – 45 Years |
1980 – 40 Years |
1985 – 35 Years |
1990 – 30 Years |
1995 – 25 Years |
2000 – 20 Years |
2005 – 15 Years |
What is the process for enrolment in the program?
5-year and 10-year recognition
If you are being recognized this year, you will receive a thank you card and pin at your home address.
15-year+ and retirement recognition
Eligible employees, volunteers and auxiliary members will receive an invitation to their home address and Island Health email (if they have one). Included in this invitation are the enrolment information and website access codes to login and choose a gift.
Gift Information
Island Health is pleased to work with Canadian company Rideau, who is an industry leader. Rideau hosts Island Health’s gift ordering website.
Are the award options and gift options environmentally-friendly and locally-sourced?
Yes, Island Health continues to seek ways in which the program can make a positive impact on the environment.
Rideau’s environmentally aware initiatives include:
- Offering a green product option at every level
- Locally-sourced products and materials
- Recycling initiatives for program materials
- Maximizing recycled content
- Developing internal reduction programs
- Working with environmentally responsible Partners
- Seeking credible certifications
Rideau also includes various Indigenous products and locally sourced items from Vancouver Island, British Columbia and Canada, throughout the Island Health program catalogue.
Do you source gifts from Canadian suppliers?
Rideau is committed to source as many items made in Canada, and more local to Island Health, as possible. Each year, Rideau strives to include more Canadian and local choices, including increasing the number of Indigenous artists and suppliers.
Jewelry is made by Rideau’s craftspeople, who pride themselves on making quality jewelry for Island Health and other partners.
How do I place my Long Service and Retirement gift order?
- Login using the website access code provided to you.
- Under the Milestone Gifts tab, click on your milestone year to view the gifts available.
- When you have made your choice, click Add to Cart.
- Follow the prompts until you click Place Your Order.
If you are celebrating a service milestone, as well as a Retirement milestone, you are eligible to choose two gifts; one for your long service level AND one from the retirement level.
Where will my gift(s) be delivered?
Your gift(s) will be shipped directly to your home address.
Once I have made a selection and ordered, when will I receive my gift?
Once you have placed your order, you will receive a shipping confirmation to track the status of your order. Your gift will be shipped to your home address 4 to 6 weeks after orders are placed.
What if the gift I choose is delayed?
Some popular items do become limited, and if this happens, Rideau will do their best to help you find a comparable gift.
Is it possible to track the delivery of my gift order?
Yes. If you would like to monitor your order, click on Resources – Track Your Orders. A Canada Post tracking number will be provided, which you can use to track the shipment of your order.
从另一个里程碑意义的一年,如果我可以选择一个礼物吗I do not see anything from my eligible long service award level?
Yes, long service recipients may choose a gift from a lower milestone year (e.g., 20 year recipients can select a 15 year gift). Retirees select their gift from the retirement category.
What is the deadline for gift ordering?
The gift ordering deadline is: January 8th, 2021, 9:00pm PST.
What happens if I do not place my order before the required date?
We encourage all recipients to complete their gift order before the gift ordering deadline. Due to fiscal timelines we may be unable to extend this deadline. If you have missed the gift ordering deadline, please contactIslandHealth@MyVistance.comor call 1-877-336-9605 to speak to a Rideau customer service representative.
Do I have to choose a gift?
No. The gift is a small acknowledgement from Island Health in recognition and appreciation of your service. However, it is your decision whether or not to accept this. If you choose not to accept a gift, the dollar amount will be retained by Island Health to support healthcare delivery.
If there are no events, can I have a gift card instead for a local restaurant?
We considered many options, including gift cards. In consultation with the Public Health and Chief Medical Health Officer, we were advised that some long service recipients may not be comfortable going to a restaurant because of a risk of exposure. In addition, gift cards are deemed by the Canada Revenue Agency to be equivalent to cash and is a taxable benefit when given to employees. The complexities with this mean that Island Health as a government entity does not support the purchase of gift cards for this purpose and therefore, the decision was made not to pursue this as an option.
Do you include gift cards as an option to choose?
No. It is the policy of Island Health not to provide gift cards.See ourRetail Gift Card Policy(requires log in)
Is the information I enter during the order process secure?
Yes. After you submit your order, all information processed using 128 bit SSL encryption. This means that if a third party intercepts the information as it travels across the network, it cannot be read.
For other questions following the ordering of your gift selection, please contact Rideau’s Client Services department atIslandHealth@MyVistance.comor by phone at 1-877-336-9605.
May I exchange the gift if I am not happy with it?
收件人可能会返回原来的项目,使an alternative selection within 30 days of receipt, provided that the item is returned unused, unaltered and in the original packaging with all original documentation. All products carry a lifetime guarantee with the exception of electronics, appliances, optical products and luggage. Recipients may need to complete the manufacturer’s warranty card and send it to the manufacturer when applicable.
There is a problem with my gift, what should I do?
Please contact Rideau’s Client Services, by phone at 1-877-336-9605 or by email at:IslandHealth@MyVistance.com.
Rideau’s business hours are Mondays to Fridays between 5:00am to 6:00pm PST and Saturdays 6:00am to 2:00pm PST. Please allow up to 1 business day for our representatives to respond to your inquiry.
Can I purchase additional gifts from the program?
No. The gift is to acknowledge your service with Island Health. Our gifts are reserved solely for long service and retirement recognition recipients and any additional gifts cannot be purchased.
What happens if I lose or misplace my invitation e-mail or web access information, how can I order my gift?
It is still possible to order your gift. All you need to do is contact Rideau’s Client Services, by phone at
1-877-336-9605 or by email at:IslandHealth@MyVistance.com.
Rideau’s business hours are Mondays to Fridays between 5:00am to 6:00pm PST and Saturdays 6:00am to 2:00pm PST. Please allow up to 1 business day for Rideau’s representatives to respond to your inquiry.
Contact Recognition & Retention
Do you have questions, comments or feedback about Island Health's Long Service and Retirement Recognition program? Contact the Recognition & Retention Team atLongService@islandhealth.caor phone 250-519-6950.