Supporting Our Staff With Top Up Payments and the Jobkeeper Allowance! Joke of the Week Ask Our CEO

April 10, 2020 Issue 252 Week 41 CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF

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. 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. 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! 1 2 3 4 In This Issue Supporting Our Staff With Top Up Payments and the Jobkeeper Allowance! Joke of the Week Ask Our CEO Affordian Celebrates a Huge Win! Staff Profile Melbourne Carers Chill Out Reminder New Sensory Experience at Condell Park Handyman Timetable Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Questions Callout 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.

ASK OUR CEO Can I take leave without pay if I have paid leave available? Given the current situation, yes that will be allowed. SUPPORTING OUR STAFF WITH TOP UP PAYMENTS AND THE JOBKEEPER ALLOWANCE! Steven Herald