Member Services - OpenCircle

Member Services

Our suite of people-centred employment solutions grow your business by uplifting your employees and protecting their families. As a Member, programs scale with the needs of your business. Get the tools you need right now — then grow with us into the future.

Health and Benefit Plans

Hour Bank Benefit Plan

Designed exclusively for the unique needs of hourly workers, the Hour Bank Benefit Plan is portable between all OpenCircle Member organizations across Canada.

Designed for office and administration staff, the Office Supervisory Benefit Plan operates like a traditional benefit plan and provides identical coverages to those available under the Hour Bank Benefit Plan.

Available to retired employees between ages 55 and 89, the Retiree Benefit Plan offers flexible coverage options with no medical underwriting required, ensuring coverage will continue well into retirement.

Contact us for more information on:

  • Participation criteria
  • Coverage summaries and benefit booklet
  • Rates

The OpenCircle Hour Bank and Office Supervisory Benefit Plans include a comprehensive selection of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and life insurance benefits. However, employees may wish to enhance their existing benefits or add additional coverage on an individual basis.

The following Optional Benefits are available to existing Hour Bank and Office Supervisory Plan participants. Please contact us for more information on:

  • Optional Life Insurance
  • Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
  • Optional Critical Illness Insurance

For more information, visit opencirclebenefits.ca

 

OpenCircle Benefits

Giving Back

Whether at work or in the community, we believe in the power of people. That’s why OpenCircle continuously invests in the places our Members call home. Through scholarships and awards, over $20 million has been awarded to the next generation of Canada’s workforce.

Our passionate employees work for change. When they fundraise for causes close to their hearts, we match every dollar. It’s all part of how we empower others to be their best selves.

Tuition Refund Program

An education that pays

OpenCircle’s Tuition Refund Program reimburses tuition fees for Hour Bank employees of Member companies who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and then return to work for an OpenCircle Member company (if applicable in your province). The refund can be issued to either individual Member employees or directly to the Member employer if the company paid for the employee’s tuition.

We believe it’s essential to support the education of the next generation.

Eligibility Criteria
  • The Tuition Refund Program reimburses tuition fees for field employees (Members of Hour Bank Benefit Plan) of OpenCircle Member companies
  • Applicants must successfully complete the apprenticeship training period at a publicly funded training facility
  • Applicants must return to work full-time for an OpenCircle Member company and work a minimum of 150 hours (approximately one month)

Alberta Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s letter from the Alberta Apprenticeship Board stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

  • Complete Alberta Tuition Refund Claim Form
  • A copy of the Alberta Apprenticeship Board Letter

 

British Columbia Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

  • Complete British Columbia Tuition Refund Claim Form
  • A copy of the Proof of Completion
  • Proof of Payment

 

Manitoba Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

  • Complete Manitoba Tuition Refund Claim Form
  • A copy of the Proof of Completion
  • Marks from your institute of training

 

Ontario Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Certificate of Qualification stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

  • Complete Ontario Tuition Refund Claim Form
  • A copy of the Certificate of Qualification
  • Marks from Ontario apprenticeship board
  • Proof of Payment/Receipt

 

Saskatchewan Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

  • Complete Saskatchewan Tuition Refund Claim Form
  • A copy of the Proof of Completion
  • Marks from your institute of training

 

Nova Scotia Guidelines:

**Please Note** Open Circle does not provide tuition refund for apprentices who work in and complete schooling in Nova Scotia. Costs for Tuition Trade fees are covered by the government of Nova Scotia.

  • Employees who begin training immediately upon hire will be reimbursed after completion of the training period and once they have worked a minimum of 300 hours (approximately two months)
  • Employees who choose to work through school training will be reimbursed, if required hours have been achieved upon completion of the course
  • An employee leaving aa OpenCircle Member company will be eligible for a tuition refund if he/she finds work with another OpenCircle Member company and meet all other criteria within six months of course completion
  • Membership firms that pay for an employee may also be reimbursed

 

Weekly tuition fee is multiplied by number of technical training weeks to equal the amount of OpenCircle’s Tuition Refund. Program applies to each period of technical training.

OpenCircle’s Tuition Refund must be included in your annual tax return as taxable income.

A T4A will be mailed to you to support the amount of the refund received.

  1.  Do I have to wait until I have worked 150 hours before sending the claim form and supporting documents?
    No, you can send the form and documents in before. We will track the hours your company reports for your benefits.
  2. Is there a time limit to send in the claim form?
    Yes. We must receive the claim form, supporting documents and you must have worked 150 hours with an OpenCircle company within six months of the completion date on your Proof of Completion.
  3. I have banked hours from before I attended school. Will these count for the 150 hours?
    No, we require that you work with an OpenCircle Member after completing and passing your course.
  4. Can I email my claim and documents?
    Yes, you can email your documents to tuition@opencircle.ca
  5. I emailed my application in four weeks ago. Why haven’t I received a cheque yet?
    Our process takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete. We process the refunds in the order they are received. We also need to verify the correct paperwork is attached and all hours are worked.
  6. Who can apply for the tuition refund?
    The Tuition Refund Program is available to OpenCircle Member employees in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
  7. Who can I contact if I have questions?
    You can email tuition@opencircle.ca with any questions you may have on the program.

Click here for the Tuition Refund form.

Scholarship Program

Providing financial assistance to our future generation

Our Scholarship Program provides assistance to the children of OpenCircle Member employees pursuing post-secondary education, including apprenticeship technical training. The scholarship can be awarded to post-secondary students in any year of their current program, with a maximum of one application per student during their schooling. The scholarship applies to any accredited post-secondary institution in Canada. Some conditions will apply.

Criteria
  • Student must be under 25 years of age at the March 31, 2023, deadline
  • Student must be listed as the dependent child of an employee participating in the OpenCircle Salaried or Hour Bank Benefit plan
  • Parent/Guardian must be in benefit at the time of application (If you require further clarification as to your benefit status, please contact OpenCircle at 1-877.263.7266.)

Documentation required:

  • Completed and signed application form
  • Acceptance letter from institution including student ID number (can be a photocopy)
  • Verification of enrolment document

Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The 2022-2023 application form will be available in September.

Group Retirement Savings Program

Through LifeWorks, we offer a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) exclusively for OpenCircle Members and their employees. The RRSP matching option, lower fees, and access to essential retirement planning resources help your employees reach their retirement goals.

Affinity Program

Exclusive Member-only Deals and Discounts

OpenCircle has partnered with numerous vendors and service-providers to give our Members and their employees access to exclusive deals and discounts.

Fountain Tire

At Fountain Tire, Members and their employees can enjoy discounts on purchase of tires, automotive parts and other tire services.

OpenCircle members will be eligible for exclusive membership packages at GoodLife Fitness. Members and their employees receive a significant discount on membership packages.

Members will enjoy discounts on all kinds of lien services available in Canada — be it online lien filing and searches, builders’ liens, oil and gas liens, mechanics’ liens or more.
Lien-Pro also offers Lien Protection Plans with tools to track and file a lien and other advanced features.

Receive discounts off regular retail prices on all of Mark’s products, including industrial and casual apparel, footwear and accessories, with your OpenCircle membership.

Access one of Canada’s top insurance services with Marsh Private Client Services at special discounted rates. As an OpenCircle member, you will receive discounts on auto insurance and home insurance.

OpenCircle has partnered with Staples to bring its members great discounts on online purchases, including next-day delivery.

Our partnership with LifeWorks allows our Members to access hundreds of exclusive offers for everyday living! Perks include discounts in everything from home meal delivery service, computer purchases, clothing, fishing equipment, to on-line tax filing!