Canadian healthcare workers angered by fake paid day off email
8 reported
Healthcare staff in Newfoundland and Labrador received an email promising a paid day off as a token of appreciation for their work on a new digital platform called CorCare. The email, sent from an outside domain, told recipients to click a link to register for the holiday. The following day, staff learned the message was part of an internal cybersecurity test to track employees who clicked the link. Union leaders and staff expressed disbelief and anger, calling the test a “cruel hoax” that targeted fatigued workers. Officials apologized and called for an internal investigation into how the email was sent. The health board’s interim CEO said the test “really missed a mark” and was not reflective of how the organization values its employees.
What’s reported
The email titled “June Holiday” was sent to thousands of healthcare staff in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The email thanked staff for their work on a new digital platform called CorCare and promised a paid day off.
The email was sent from an outside domain: remailmail.com.
The following day, staff were told the message was part of an internal cybersecurity test.
Jerry Earle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, said at least one person had quit after the email.
Yvette Coffey, president of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador, called the test “very insensitive and very disrespectful.”
Officials apologized and called for an internal investigation into how the email was sent.
Ron Johnson, the health board’s interim CEO, said the test “really missed a mark.”
Key figures
Jerry Earle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees
Yvette Coffey, president of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador
Ron Johnson, interim CEO of the health board
Sherry Hillier, president of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador
Sources: The Guardian
