Staff Matters June 7, 2019 Issue 208 Week 49
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF
ADE'S TAKE LEAD
The last couple months have paved positive steps forward across our ADEs under a host of newly introduced initiatives. The first of many long term goals that have been ticked off the list was the successful installation of fingerprint readers across all ADEs by HR Officer – ADEs, Melanie Lugg. The fingerprint scanners remove a layer of administration around attendance in the factories and encourage employees to take greater accountability for their attendance. A revamped Employee of the Month system, as well as regular celebration of team achievements has been a fantastic turnaround in the vibe in the factories. More than just a qualitative improvement, sick leave figures are down by a whopping 37% in the space of a couple months. Supported employees are displaying more of a genuine desire to come to work, behaviours have reduced and they are demonstrating greater discipline by calling in sick when they can’t attend work rather than no-showing. For supported employees, this step toward recognising the responsibility that comes with being a part of a workforce is very important step in their skill development, and demonstrates their positive progress toward greater independence and potentially open employment. Other positive initiative have included:
In This Issue 1
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ADE's Take The Lead Joke of The Week
Stepping Up To A Brighter Future Welcome New Appointments
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Supporting A Client With Epilepsy Welcome New Appointments
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Ready-Set Connect with Afford! Reminder Upcoming Events Selfies of The Week
a short space of time that has been driven by lots of little changes across the factories including: • New commercial jobs coming into the factories and allowing supported employees to work on new tasks • Weekly catering on sites to thank the team for the work they do and build comradery • Additional management support within the factories • Introduction of name tags for all supported employees • Upgrading of equipment and facilities through improved maintenance • Recognising and celebrating achievements • Improved housekeeping • More proactive focus on leadership by example There is a real buzz within the factories and we are very excited about what’s to come in the future.
REMINDER Don’t forget to send your clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to Marketing@afford.com.au
Watch this space.
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Kristy Mehrtens POSITION: Customer Care Manager LOCATION: QLD, South FAVOURITE SONG? Anything you can dance to FAVOURITE MOVIE? 16 Candles FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Relaxing on a boat FAVOURITE FOODS? Antipasto IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A nanna's lap dog WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Fiji IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? I would reverse the bleaching of the reef in QLD IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? All about Fiji SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I play the trombone
June 7, 2019 Issue 208
STEPPING UP TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE Our much anticipated and very successful Step-Up Program is once again in full swing for the year and providing a brightness of future for our Staff. Our Step Up Program which launched in 2016 has been an amazing success. This Afford development program has provided opportunities for staff across the organisation to step up in various roles with support of HR and other departments across the business. As an employer of choice we like to support, encourage and promote our staff to excel and rise up through the business. This year we opened the Step Up program for Team Leader positions, as well as District Manager positions within Client Services, which has so far been an amazing success. We currently have 8 staff taking part in a training program which will see them be trained once a month, by an existing Team Leader or District Manager, giving them exposure to the expectations of a Team Leader within Afford, as well as being given training on skills they will need at the Team Leader level as well. Our 8 amazing staff taking part in the program are: • Kay Wongwai • Kele Tino • Audrey Pulemagafa • Mino Vaivao • Sussan Brown • Konia Hasiata • Margaret Nootai • Grant Bundy – Queensland Sussan is now already in an Acting TL role in Accommodation/Respite Services and Mino is Acting Senior Lifestyle Assistant – Canley Vale. Our Step Up program is an ongoing initiative that all staff are welcome to express their interest in at any time by emailing Training and Engagement Manager, Maureen Brown at maureen.brown@afford.com.au, and CCing your manager.
www.afford.com.au
June 7, 2019 Issue 208
Staff Matters SUPPORTING A CLIENT WITH EPILEPSY
As the number 1 Disability Service Provider in Australasia, we pride ourselves on having the best staff in the sector. The care, service and procedures we have at Afford go above and beyond to set the highest standards possible and we must all remain vigilant to maintain those standards. The following is a reminder to all Staff that it is important to always think ahead when supporting a client with Epilepsy, for example, if there is a flight of stairs and there is a lift nearby it is more appropriate to use the lift. Below are a few tips regarding support to epileptic clients: Bathing and Showering – • Clients with epilepsy and ongoing seizures should be encouraged to shower rather than use the bath • The use of a shower chair should be encouraged to minimise falls in the shower • Every client with ongoing seizures will be supervised at all times when bathing and showering Swimming – • Ensure there is always a staff member supervising who: - Is able to maintain frequent eye contact - Is able to maintain frequent eye contact; - Stays close at all times - Is a competent swimmer and is capable of rescuing the client if they have a seizure while in the water - Knows what to do in the event of a seizure occurring in and out of the water. While in the water – • Support the person’s head so their face is out of the water • Tilt their head back to ensure a clear airway • If in a pool or still water, remove the person from the water when the jerking stops • If in the surf or moving water, remove the person immediately from the water • Seek assistance if necessary Once out of the water – • Place the person on their side into the recovery position • Check for breath • If they are not breathing, begin resuscitation only after convulsions stop • Call an ambulance immediately even if the person is breathing as they may have inhaled water during their seizure If you are ever unsure when working with any of our clients it is your responsibility to seek assistance from your Team Leader proactively, and to follow the Red Alert and Incident Reporting Procedures when responding to situations.
We would like to congratulate the following Affordian's on their new appointment: • Maia Smith - Lifestyle Assistant, Southport, QLD • Laura-Lee Tepaea - Lifestyle Assistant, Southport, QLD • Ishitaben Shah - Lifestyle Assistant, Southport, QLD
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
June 7, 2019 Issue 208
READY-SET CONNECT WITH AFFORD! Afford is growing every day and with the expansions into Queensland and Victoria it is important for our staff to network and make strong lasting connections with their local communities.One of the great networking events that Afford Customer Care Team Members attend is the One Community Ready-Set-Connect Events. Ready-Set-Connect events help effectively connect with the right target audience and work in collaboration with other Ready-SetConnect Members or attendees in the local community. Queensland Customer Care Staff Members, Kristy Mehrtens, Tamara Dunn and Donna Clarke recently attended an NDIS Disability Networking event on the 30th of May at Club Southport and were blown away by how many people are now recognising our brand. “The most memorable part of the day would definitely be the fact that several people said to us ‘You’re from Afford, great we’ve been looking forward to meeting you” – Donna Clarke Customer Care Manager QLD. Without a doubt, the Afford brand is becoming recognisable right across Australia!
Reminder! Important reminder for all Staff: • Day Program Clients are always to be 1:1 when they are swimming or showering.
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
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Pawsome from BelmSelfie Above: Mirian, ore with he LS Gizmo. r fur baby, A
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
10th-16th June
International Men's Health Week
10th June
International Buddy Day
16-22 June
Refugee Week
17-29 June
World Continence Week
20 June
Red Apple Day
www.afford.com.au