Long Service Recognition FAQs

Long Service 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 at IslandHealth@MyVistance.com or call 1-877-336-9605 on weekdays PST: 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., or Saturdays PST: 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

General Questions

What is the Island Health Long Service and Retirement Recognition program?

Service milestones are formally recognized by Island Health commencing at five years of service and in five year increments thereafter (10, 15, 20, etc.). Full-time, part-time and casual employees are included. 

Please note: recognition for five years of service commenced in 2021. Employees, volunteers and Auxiliary members who began at Island Health in 2016, and each year following, will receive a 5 year milestone service pin. The 5 years of service recognition is not retroactively given.

Information for Recipients

As a small token of appreciation, recipients will receive a service pin and a thank you card directly in the mail to their home address. This is to acknowledge their commitment and service. Recipients are encouraged to keep their address up to date through Employee Self Service (requires login).

15 or more years of service

Recipients celebrating a milestone of 15-years (plus 5-year increments following) will receive an invitation to select a service milestone gift.

Information for Retirees

Retiring from work is a major milestone! Island Health offers those retiring with 15 or more years of service with a retirement pin and the opportunity to select a retirement gift.

Employees who retire during a milestone year (15, 20, 25, etc.) will also receive a milestone gift and retirement pin.

Service Milestone Events

Service milestone and retirement events have been on hold since 2020. We are currently reviewing the approach to events and hope to have an update for 2023.

What is the process for enrolment in the program?

No action is required. The Recognition & Retention team will reach out to eligible recipients and retirees.

5-year and 10-year recognition  

Recipients being recognized this year for 5 or 10 years of service will receive a thank you card and pin at their 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.

I have heard about service milestone videos. What is this all about?

Due to limited capacity, a service milestone video will not be possible in 2022, unfortunately. 

Gift Information

When will I receive my service pin and thank you card?

We send out service pins and thank you cards at the end of every quarter. It is based on the start date in Meditech.

How are quarters organized?

Quarters are as follows: January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December.

When do I get my gift?

15 or more years of service

In early December 2022, we are inviting those that reached a milestone in 2022 (e.g., those who started in 2007, 2002, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982, 1977, 1972 and so on). 

Retirement 

In early December 2022, we are inviting those who retired in 2022 between January 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022 (with 15 or more years of service) to select their retirement gift.

If an employee retires in the same year as their milestone year (e.g., 15 years of service reached in 2022. And retirement also occurred in 2022), they will be invited to receive both their service milestone gift, as well as their retirement gift. Only one login will be needed to select both gifts.

Who is Rideau (Engage2Excel)?

Island Health is pleased to work with Canadian company Rideau (Engage2Excel), 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?  

1. Login using the website access code provided to you.
2. Under the Milestone Gifts tab, click on your milestone year to view the gifts available.
3. When you have made your choice, click Add to Cart.
4. 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 8 to 10 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.

Can I choose a gift from another milestone year if 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 9, 2023, 9:00 p.m. 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 contact IslandHealth@MyVistance.com or 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 our Retail 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 at IslandHealth@MyVistance.com or by phone at 1-877-336-9605.

May I exchange the gift if I am not happy with it?

Recipients may return their original item and make 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 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST and Saturdays 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PST. Please allow up to one 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 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST and Saturdays 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PST. Please allow up to one 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 Service Milestone Recognition program? Contact the Recognition & Retention Team at LongService@islandhealth.ca or phone 250-519-6950.