Staff Matters March 13, 2020 Issue 248 Week 37
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, I would like to note the crucial role that women play at Afford. Not only is our workforce dominated by women (almost 70%) but our management team, including Senior Executive, is as well. We also have 2 female Board Members. At Afford we truly respect equal opportunities which I believe is just common sense, and rewarding those who deserve opportunities without reference to their sex, race or whether they have tattoos or different colour hair! We celebrate diversity and I believe it is one of our greatest strengths as we try to hose down the 20th century norms which included “who you knew being more important than what you knew”. We have a strong culture that does not allow nepotism, favouritism and bullying, that creates an environment where everybody hopefully knows that they will only be judged on performance and with our focus on promotion from within, have an awesome opportunity of progressing up the ladder as far as they desire.
In This Issue 1
Happy International Women’s Day Joke Of The Week Afford Trivia
2
Train Like A Tiger
3
Celebrating Afford Women
4
Important Update For Afford Rewards
Staff Profile
Reminder
Handyman Timetable Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer
Given the crucial role that women play in our team, we have always worked hard to provide the flexibility for them to stay in the workforce and return to the workforce. While this is easier to achieve in casual type front line roles, we also work hard to be flexible in management roles to help mums, for example, to get back into the workforce. This is not only good for employees but is great for Afford as we can get many star performers in our team on more flexible arrangements than previously. Finally, I can guarantee all that women are remunerated equally. There is much press about the pay gap that still exists between men and women wages in Australia, but that is definitely not the case at Afford. Our female Senior Executives get identical pay and benefits to what a man would receive in their roles and that is obviously the way it should be!
Steven Herald
AFFORD TRIVIA
How many logos have we had since 1952?
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Sharon Figl POSITION: Senior Vocational Trainer LOCATION: Penrith SLES FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Indifference – Pearl Jam FAVOURITE MOVIE? The Green Mile and Bad Grandpa FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Sleeping FAVOURITE FOODS? Green vegetables IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A shark WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Anywhere there is water IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Abolish technology IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Resilience SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I grew up with country singer Kasey Chambers
March 13, 2020 Issue 248
TRAIN LIKE A TIGER
We are excited to announce for the third year running Afford is partnering with Sydney NRL team the Wests Tigers for the 2020 season! Supporting inclusiveness and opportunities for people of all abilities across Sydney, Afford’s partnership with the Tigers is another way in which we go beyond traditional service offerings to give individuals opportunities to realise their dreams and participate in activities they enjoy. To kick off the year, 12 clients from Campbelltown and Oran Park Day Programs attended a Train like a Tiger event, held at the Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The Train Like a Tiger program offers the perfect opportunity for people living with a disability to come together, appreciate and celebrate each other’s differences by participating in modified rugby league activities with the Wests Tigers. Our clients took part in alternated football drills, which aims to develop and improve football skills, including tackling, passing, running and kicking. All attendees received new Wests Tigers hats to wear on the day and protect them from the sun during the training! Wests Tigers also had a small sensory tent area set up, which will now be offered during home games. The safe space provided a soft fluffy blanket to sit on, beanbags and cushions, noise-cancelling headphones and some mindful colouring books. The sensory area was positioned so that anyone who needed to take a quiet moment, could still see all of the action on the field. Afford established a partnership with Wests Tigers in 2018 to promote inclusivity for people of all abilities. Over the last two years, our partnership has grown, and we proudly champion programs like the Wests Tigers Varying Abilities program. This program uses Rugby League to shift people’s perception of individuals and groups living with a disability, leading to a reduction in bullying and an increase in inclusion, not only in sport but with all activities. We are pleased to be able to connect with a team that aligns with our values, mission and commitment to supporting individuals with disability lead happy and healthy lifestyles. Our investment in partnerships such as this ensures that our brand is visible within the community and aligned with programs that benefit our clients.
www.afford.com.au
March 13, 2020 Issue 248
Staff Matters CELEBRATING AFFORD WOMEN In celebration of International Women’s Day on the 8th March, we would like to share some of the stories of women in the Afford community who showcase strength, courage and inspire others. We have many stories of inspirational clients and residents of the Afford community. We are also fortunate to have amazing staff members at Afford who truly go above and beyond to advocate for those in need. To recognise the many and varied achievements of women on International Women’s Day, here we share Layla’s story…. Layla – Afford’s DES Bankstown Team Leader Layla has poured an exceptional number of volunteer hours into working with organisations as a representative of Afford to create a voice for people with disability and those in the Iraqi and refugee communities. Most recently, Layla has been working with Syrian refugees as part of a Fostering Integration Grant provided to Afford. The grant funding allows Afford to give preemployment support to refugees and disadvantage people as well as to experience and learn more about Australian culture and to be engaged with their local community. Participants from Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Blacktown LGAs have been supported by all Afford’s team leaders and staff to go to places such as the Inspiring Change Conference, Vivid lights Sydney, cruise on Darling Harbour, the Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, The Canberra Floriade and Sydney Zoo.
For around ten years, Layla has served on the board of The Multicultural Network (TMN) and has been pivotal in the establishment of the Zero Barriers project. TMN supports women, those in aged care and people with disability across Western Sydney. Through her involvement as Vice President with the organisation, Layla has secured many referrals from people within the community for Afford services. TMN developed the project Zero Barriers, which is an initiative which saw the coming together of organisations across multiple sectors to improve access and inclusion for people with disability. Examples of improvements made include adapted children’s swimming lessons, a petrol station with staff trained to assist drivers with disability, and a restaurant with staff trained in Auslan sign language and providing sensory sensitive dining hours for families with children with autism. In addition to her role with TMN, Layla has supported, and been an ambassador for Afford, for the Iraqi Cultural Festival for seven years which is produced by the Iraqi Australian University Graduate Forum (IAUGF). As the face for Afford in the community, Layla supports refugees and new-comers to Australia to connect them community supports, help them engage with their own and other cultures. She helps them breakthrough isolation in their new country and fosters a positive and supportive image of refugees within the wider Australian community. These are magnificent achievements for Layla and her teams, and we congratulate her for her efforts to tirelessly represent others in need. She is one of Afford’s shining stars and inspirational women!
Reminder! Not sure what to do if you break down in an Afford vehicle? This is what you need to know!! New South Wales: • Battery or tyre issue – contact NRMA roadside 1300 369 349 and quote the rego number • ALL major issues including engine failure – contact Huss Ayache NRMA Mobile Team Leader - 0466 022 942 Queensland & Victoria: • Contact NRMA roadside on 1300 369 349 rather than RACQ or RACV directly. Once NRMA confirms our business membership, they will transfer the call to the relevant department who manages interstate. Questions or queries contact our Finance Manager, Tim Yang: Tim.Yang@afford.com.au
www.afford.com.au
March 13, 2020 Issue 248
Staff Matters IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR AFFORD REWARDS
The Afford Rewards program has recently issued an important notice for all users of the App who purchase Coles eGift Cards for your grocery shopping, to please be aware that Coles are unable to fulfil orders for instant eGift Cards until 1st July 2020. As an Afford staff member, you have access to our employer of choice benefits, one of which is the Afford Rewards program. A mobile App based initiative which allows access to savings on everyday items from retailers like Woolworths, Coles, Kmart and Pandora, combined with entertainment, leisure and travel discounts from places like JB Hi-Fi, Ticketek, Event Cinemas and Jetstar. You can continue to use all other eGift card purchases without any changes. With the recent addition of even more retailers joining the party, exciting discounts are waiting for you to access. You can now book your next flight with a 5% saving at Virgin Australia or Webjet or just chill out with 7% off at Boost Juice. If you’re in the mood to spoil yourself, or someone else, you can save 5% at The Iconic, Michael Hill and Pandora, now available as eGift Card. Make the most of the new retailers on Afford Rewards by downloading the SmartSpending™ App and get every discount on the go!
Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 16th March:
Afford Employment Offices (New Locations)
- Tuesday 17th March:
Minchinbury Head Office Project
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
- Wednesday 18th March: Canley Vale & Eschol Park - Thursday 19th March:
Mt Annan & St Andrews
- Friday 20th March:
Weekly catch-up and urgent requests
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
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Pawsome Se lfie Above: Occupatio Alison DaS nal Therap ilva, ist and her Books. fur bab
UPCOMING EVENTS
y
DATE:
EVENT:
17 March
St. Patrick’s Day
21 March
World Down Syndrome Day
26-27 March
Customer Care & Support Coordinator Conference
28 March
Earth Hour
Afford Trivia Answer: Five!
www.afford.com.au
