Staff Matters April 10, 2020 Issue 252 Week 41
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF SUPPORTING OUR STAFF WITH TOP UP PAYMENTS AND THE JOBKEEPER ALLOWANCE!
I am pleased to advise that staff whose hours have been impacted severely by COVID-19 in our Client Services business will have their pay topped up as an ex gratia payment. This payment will be for a 4-week period starting with a top-up of the payroll paid (fortnight ended 29 March 2020). Then the 2 weeks of the current pay cycle ending 12 April 2020, to be paid on 15 April 2020. This money is from Afford reserves that we have to fall back on. This is why we fight hard to make surpluses.This is not an advance that you need to pay back. After intense lobbying of the Government to get the JobKeeper Allowance, they have made the decision to change the income reduction necessary for businesses to be eligible from 30% to 15%. The significant reduction in attendance at Day Programs means we now meet the criteria. All employees who joined Afford before 1 March 2019 are eligible if they elect Afford as their main employer and are permanent residents As above, we will do one more top up in the coming payroll. The JobKeeper legislation is yet to pass in Parliament and will not be paid by the Government until May.
In This Issue 1
Supporting Our Staff With Top Up Payments and the Jobkeeper Allowance! Joke of the Week Ask Our CEO
2
Affordian Celebrates a Huge Win! Staff Profile
3
Melbourne Carers Chill Out
4
New Sensory Experience at Condell Park
Reminder
Handyman Timetable
This means over 1,000 employees are covered and/or their job role is still required during the pandemic. There are no plans to step down or make redundant any permanent roles. We also have 450 supported employees already covered by their Disability Support Pension.
Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Questions Callout
This leaves 600 employees who either have not been here since before 1 March 2019, or are on a visa not covered by the legislation. We will endeavour to do everything possible to keep as many people gainfully employed which we will work on for the rest of this week. The main opportunities in this area will be: 1. Staff presently getting shifts may elect to get JobKeeper Allowance or take leave, and can be replaced by casuals not covered by JobKeeper Allowance. We have concerned mums at the moment who may take this option. We need confirm that this option is allowable under the legislation once it is finalised. 2. The launch of Afford Care where we are looking to greatly increase available 1 to 1 shifts with our client base and do work for other service providers who need staff. Initial conversations with Northcott, Sunnyfield and the Health Service Union make us confident there will be work for those not covered by the JobKeeper Allowance. Our staff are an incredible team who are the absolute backbone of our organisation and carry out our mission every day with quality, by caring and supporting not only our clients with disability but each other. It is because of your hard work and dedication over the past few years that Afford is in a strong position to offer this to you. As an Afford family, we are trying our very best and are conducting daily meetings to discuss what Afford can do to help lessen the impact on you and your families. I urge all Affordians to stay strong in these days and months ahead of us, so together we can come out the other side stronger than ever!
Steven Herald
ASK OUR CEO
Can I take leave without pay if I have paid leave available? Given the current situation, yes that will be allowed.
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Christina Martinez POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Far West Accommodation, NSW FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? One Less Lonely Girl – Justin Bieber FAVOURITE MOVIE? Pitch Perfect FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Jamming on the piano and guitar FAVOURITE FOODS? Korean fried chicken IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An eagle WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? The Maldives IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Eliminate global poverty IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? I would teach people how to use their blinkers to indicate whilst driving SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I am a recovering shopaholic
April 10, 2020 Issue 252
AFFORDIAN CELEBRATES A HUGE WIN!
For the first time in Afford’s history, an Afford staff member was the lucky first prize winner of the Cherrywood Raffle. Olive Joyce, a Lifestyle Assistant from our Cherrywood Day Program, took out the incredible first prize win of $20,000 in our Easter Raffle. The 129th Raffle was drawn last week and when the exciting news came through that it was an Afford staff member, the entire Call Centre gathered together to be there when Olive got the call. Megan Campbell, Fundraising & Events Officer, made the winning call to Olive while she was still onsite at Cherrywood Day Program. When Olive answered, because of the music and noise in the background, she thought she had only won 3rd prize. “Well I thought I only won 3rd prize to start with because there was so much noise in the background, then once I got to a quiet area and heard it was 1st prize, I started yelling even more so everyone else started yelling with me”, said Olive. Olive also received an awesome congratulations call from our CEO, Steven Herald, which for Olive, was the icing on the cake. Olive has worked with Afford for 9 years and is a long time raffles supporter, having purchased tickets for the past five years. She first started as a casual at Jamisontown Day Program and has worked across many sites including Mt Druitt, Guildford and Kings Park. She also worked as a Support Coordinator and TTW (before it became SLES) when it was located in Riverstone. Olive doesn’t have any plans on how to spend her big win, but she said it would help her pay off some debts. Congratulations again, Olive! Don’t forget to buy your tickets in the upcoming Winter Raffle and you could be the next big winner! There are many prizes up for grabs, including bonus draws. Tickets can be purchased by contacting our Penrith Call Centre on 1800 723 353.
www.afford.com.au
April 10, 2020 Issue 252
Staff Matters MELBOURNE CARERS CHILL OUT
Earlier in the year, prior to the Coronavirus, our Melbourne carers were invited to attend a very special carer’s event at the Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal, Victoria. Carers events provide families, friends and carers with the chance to come together to talk with Afford staff about disability supports relevant to their loved ones. These events are also an opportunity to socialise with others who have shared life experiences. Caring for our carers is part of our whole-of-life approach to disability supports at Afford. Our clients are our priority, and we know that our supports need to extend beyond the boundaries of our sites to help carers and families at home too. The day was absolutely incredible with spectacular weather and a beautiful day of sunshine for all. As the group arrived at the Hot Springs they were personally greeted for orientation and provided with their own robes, towels and amenities for the day. The hot springs water has come from natural springs that are 637 metres below ground and is filled with healing qualities. Many of the families were surprised with the warmth of the waters (the temperature varies between 34 to 42 degrees) but they all loved it! Everyone was able to find the perfect temperature for them. Carers got to experience the cool of the ice caves, then the heat of the water, and followed it up with an incredible body clay session which created quite a bit of laughter and enjoyment from everyone. It was enjoyable to sit down with all the families for an incredibly delicious and nutritious lunch and discuss how the springs had relaxed and rejuvenated them. Many remarked on how relaxed they felt and how smooth their skin was following the body clay treatment. During the lunch, Breanna Fodor, Noble Park Team Leader and Edward Boghikian, District Manager, were overwhelmed with appreciation for organising such an amazing experience. “We wanted to do something so special not just to acknowledge the amazing care they provide, but give them some fun and respite as well. The decision to organise a relaxation day and luncheon at the Peninsula Hot Springs for our families and carers was a winner!”, said Edward Bohghikian. Seeing the enjoyment and relaxation of our dedicated and hard working families was truly a moment that will never be forgotten. Everyone is looking forward to the next incredible activity that Afford will be arranging for them.
Reminder!
Happy Easter Affordians! Please be reminded of the Easter Public Holidays • Friday 10th April 2020 • Monday 13th April 2020 Should you have any questions please speak to your Team Leader. Some sites may be open and offering services during this time depending on client requests.
www.afford.com.au
April 10, 2020 Issue 252
Staff Matters NEW SENSORY EXPERIENCE AT CONDELL PARK
A Community Building Partnerships grant has provided the Condell Park Day Program with the opportunity to create an engaging sensory space for our clients to enjoy. The sensory experience includes a vibrating massage bed, a bubble machine and a visual wall where sensory images are projected. The addition of a new ceiling hoist in the room has also enabled our wheelchair client’s access to use the massage bed, so now the whole sensory experience is accessible for all our clients to enjoy. New blinds were also installed to complete the makeover that will keep the heat out in summer, but still allow natural light to filter through when they are up. Since the sensory room was introduced, staff have seen amazing changes with the experience providing a calming effect on the client’s behaviour and mood, reducing anxiety and stress. Sensory spaces provide language development, emotional management and a true delight for all senses. The new style of massage beds also allows the clients to be able to have their weekly treatment from the massage therapist in a private and comfortable space. By incorporating these sensory elements at Condell Park, clients can use their senses to smell, touch, taste, move, balance, see and hear a range of stimuli to support them to explore and develop their skills and behaviours.
Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 13th April:
Public Holiday
- Tuesday 14th April:
Tahier on Annual Leave
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
- Wednesday 15th April: Jamisontown & Butterflies - Thursday 16th April:
Windsor & True Blue
- Friday 17th April:
Weekly catch up & urgent requests
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
ppy Easter Selfie Above: Ha e, Team By ne eli from Mad ents, Sandra Leader and resid d Donna from from Bluebird an mes. Ho p ou Sunshine Gr
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Moreira, a Lisa (Migue re l) Home, wit sident from Nowra G h her cat O roup zlow.
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
10th April
Good Friday Public Holiday
12th April
Easter Sunday
13th April
Easter Monday Public Holiday
25th 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
