Staff Matters April 3, 2020 Issue 250 Week 40
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF AFFORDIANS WORKING TOGETHER While we experience adjustments to our daily lives, Afford staff in services across the country are there to provide individuals, their families and carers with some normalcy and continuation of supports. The health and mental wellbeing of staff and clients remain the top priority at Afford. We have all been working together to support each other through a challenging period. We have also made it a priority at all sites to introduce a range of safety measures to protect our staff and help individuals understand the importance of personal hygiene.
In This Issue 1
Affordians Working Together Joke of the Week Ask Our CEO
This week has seen a downswing in attendance at Day Programs, which is making it difficult to provide our staff with ‘normal’ hours of work. Our focus has been to meet contracted hours of Permanent Part Timers and try to get hours to as many casuals as possible. Extra hours have been picked up working in Group Homes and ADEs and we are now compiling a list of tasks for employees looking for extra hours (e.g. cleaning, garden maintenance, administration projects etc.). We are also looking at online training options where we could pay wages.
2
Reach Out If You Need Help
3
Fitness Passport Changes - A New Way to Keep Fit!
Staff Profile
Reminder
4
Taking Care of Business - The Afford Way! Handyman Timetable Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Questions Callout
We have the most incredible staff who provide the best services and supports in the industry and we want to keep every Affordian we can during this time. To help with this, our Executive Manager for Commercial Services, Gordon Griff, reached out and offered Lifestyle Assistants the option to register their interest in work at our ADEs across NSW. Many of the staff members who registered their interest are Lifestyle Assistants, who have started working in our factories, assisting with implementing social distancing measures between our Supported Employees. “The challenge with social distancing is not just telling them to be apart, it’s showing them,” said Gordon Griff. Having the extra hands on-site provides additional support to our ADE Managers, who are also dealing with implementing the new restrictions at the moment. It’s a fantastic organic opportunity to promote the continuation of work during challenging times and absorbing the resourcing we already have available.
ASK OUR CEO
“LSA’s are enjoying it and I know it’s taken the pressure off the supervisors and managers in a busy period,” said Gordon. If you would like to register, please contact Gordon Griff, Executive Manager for Commercial Services by email gordon.griff@afford.com.au. We are so proud to see our teams and tribes culture shine through during these extraordinary times and we encourage you all to continue to support each other and reach out if you need help. Afford are doing everything we can to keep the team together.
Will I still have a job when our doors re-open? After this difficult time passes we definitely will want everyone back.
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Jessica (Rose) Haley POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Ipswich, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? No Ordinary Life – Matt Corby FAVOURITE MOVIE? I love most Romcoms and children’s films, but I also love thrillers with a psychological twist FAVOURITE HOBBIES? I like trying new things all the time, but at the moment I am into an abundance of Netflix shows, reading a new book series FAVOURITE FOODS? Indian curries, dark chocolate, a good cheese toastie, lamb roast, bananas - practically anything that isn’t eggplant IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? I would be something that doesn’t have many natural predators and prefers to live in groups WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? The Maldives or back to Japan IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Poverty, famine and homelessness would be erased IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? I would love to teach art SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? If I told you, then someone would know, wouldn’t they?
April 3, 2020 Issue 251
REACH OUT IF YOU NEED HELP
The Afford Way promotes positive health and wellbeing initiatives for all our staff. We understand that the current events might be causing you a lot of extra stress or anxiety that you may not have experienced before. We encourage you to take advantage of our Employer of Choice services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) during these extraordinary times. EAP is a voluntary, confidential and complimentary counselling service that we offer for all employees, their families and carers. EAP is a short-term, solution focused approach to help you enhance your overall wellbeing. If you are interested in assistance with personal, family or work-related concerns that are impacting on your health or quality of life, you can contact EAP and make an appointment for face-to-face, online or telephone counselling services. Afford are dedicated to supporting your health and wellbeing by providing you easy access to free and fully confidential support. You are not alone, help is always here! We encourage you all to contact your Team Leader, District Manager or our CEO, Steven Herald, with any queries or concerns that you have if you are struggling or need support. Or if you would like confidential support contact AccessEAP on - 1800 818 728 or info@accesseap.com.au.
www.afford.com.au
April 3, 2020 Issue 251
Staff Matters FITNESS PASSPORT CHANGES - A NEW WAY TO KEEP FIT!
Many Afford staff have a Fitness Passport membership, which is one of our many Employer of Choice initiatives available to all staff. Following the announcement from the Federal Government to shut down all non-essential services which includes gyms, Fitness Passport suspended all memberships from midday 23rd March 2020 and have stopped direct debits for members until the restrictions are lifted. There is no need for you to them, as they will action your suspension on your behalf. Whilst you do not have access to these services, it’s a great time to start taking steps towards creating a new routine in your home. Having a routine is healthy for our mental state and also our physical wellbeing. It is important that you continue to exercise regularly and eat healthily. We understand that sometimes you need some motivation or support to exercise, so why not join online classes and get involved in your local online community and beyond! Thankfully, many personal trainers and even some gym facilities have started online fitness groups that you can join from the comfort of your home (and many are free!). You can browse online fitness groups on Eventbrite or if you have a gym buddy that you usually train with – video chat them and do it together at home! There are still fitness stores open such as Rebel Sports, where you can purchase at home gym equipment and you can use your Afford Rewards to get a discount! We have listed a few options for you to check out and if you have any suggestions for how Affordians can keep fit together in our new world, let us know by emailing marketing@afford.com.au. • Centr - Chris Hemsworth’s team in one app. Start your 6 week free trial today online at centr.com/join-us • Luke Priddis Foundation - ZenMe Project is a FREE online stress management program and meet up. Join the online meetings at https://zoom.us/j/416578857 • Care at Work - A variety of virtual fitness classes with Care At Work on Eventbrite. Check it out every Tuesday and Thursday online at www.eventbrite.com.au/o/care-at-work-100-pacific-classes-26304722083 • The Body Coach TV - Don’t forget the kids with these live online P.E. with Joe classes at 9am Monday to Friday at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ
Reminder! Staff are reminded of the importance of cleanliness and social distancing during this time. • Wash your hands: You should wash your hands, before, during, and after you prepare food. Before and after you eat. Before and after you provide care for someone. Before and after you treat a cut or wound. Before and after you attend a public place such as the grocery store. • Cover your mouth: Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and then place those tissues in the bin. • Clean your surroundings: It is important to clean the environment around you regularly, such as touched surfaces, tables, doorknobs and light switches. • Social distancing: Keep at least 1.5 meters distance between yourself and others.
www.afford.com.au
April 3, 2020 Issue 251
Staff Matters TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS - THE AFFORD WAY!
Afford is very excited to advise that we have secured a supply of toilet paper for any staff member who is struggling to obtain this item due to work commitments or even just the current situation. Toni Preston, Grants & Fundraising Coordinator and Mariska Tribelhorn, Factory Manager, took the initiative to support their fellow Affordians, who are busy on the frontline looking after our clients. The toilet paper will come in a pack of 40 rolls (400 sheets per roll) @ $50.00 per pack. These rolls are double the size of a normal roll and premium paper. No payment is required at the time of placing and collecting the order. Sarah Vandermeer from Payroll will deduct the $50.00 from your next pay cycle. Due to the overwhelming response from staff, the initial order was exhausted within the first 5 minutes, but a second order has been placed and will be delivered next week. Should you wish to purchase a pack of 40 rolls, please fill in the Order Form and email to mariska.tribelhorn@afford.com.au. The Order Form must have your name, site and payroll number on it. You will be notified by email when your order is ready and pickup is from Minchinbury ADE Factory. Factory hours are Monday – Friday 7.30am – 3.00pm. We know these are very confusing and difficult times that we are all experiencing. Afford hopes this may make one part of your life a little easier. This is another great example of the Afford Way and Affordians supporting each other through difficult times. We are extremely proud of the amazing camaraderie that our staff have demonstrated over the past few weeks. We
Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 6th April:
Condell Park & Chipping Norton
- Tuesday 7th April:
Sunshine, Panthers & Bluebird
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
- Wednesday 8th April: Lurnea, Green Valley & Prestons ADE - Thursday 9th April:
Narellan & Mount Annan
- Friday 10th April:
Public Holiday
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
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Pawsome Se lfie Above: Chloe Colli Oran Park ns LS Cherrywoo and Lucinda Primiano A’s, d Friendsh at ip Farm.
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
10th April
Good Friday Public Holiday
12th April
Easter Sunday
13th April
Easter Monday Public Holiday
25 April
Anzac Day
If you have any questions or concerns, you can email Steven.Herald@afford.com.au or HR@afford.com.au
www.afford.com.au
