Staff Matters
June 26, 2015 - Issue 10 Week 52
More in the Pocket for AFFORD Staff
In this Issue Page 1 • Pay Increase for AFFORD Staff
Page 2 • Staff Profile • Condell Park Record A Song
Fair Work Australia has handed down the National Wage Increase decision for the year 2015-2016, effectively increasing Award wage rates by 2.5%, from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2015. Part of that decision was to allow employers to absorb the increase into any over-Award payments, thereby reducing the amount of the over-Award margin received by staff. As an Employer Of Choice, AFFORD has always prided itself on ensuring that it pays well above the Award rate and is very competitive in ensuring you as the employee are well remunerated for your dedication and services to AFFORD. So we announce that AFFORD has decided to pay 2% increase on the over-Award (or ‘AFFORD’) rate. That is, the increase will be payable on your actual hourly rate. All fortnightly staff, your wage increase is effective from pay period commencing 13 July 2015. All supported employees, your wage increase is effective from pay period commencing 8 July 2015. All monthly staff, you will receive your increase in the 15 July 2015 payment. Any staff who are currently paid the published award rate will receive a 2.5% increase (this includes supported employees). We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff and employees for constantly endeavouring to provide excellent customer service and for their dedication towards AFFORD’s Mission, Vision and Values.
HR Team
T 02 8805 3700 E info@afford.com.au 12 Marieanne Place, Minchinbury 2770 afford.com.au
Page 3 • Success for Annette with DES • Guildford Work Shop Training
Page 4 • Blacktown Expo • AFFORD Selfies • Have a Laugh
AFFORD Fact In April, 1970, AFFORD opened its third ADE at Sackville Street at Canley Vale. AFFORD now had three ADEs at Bankstown, Cherrywood and Canley Vale.
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June 26, 2015 - Issue 10
Staff Profile
Condell Park in the Recording Studio
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Pictured above: Customer Ali Seiman performs his solo piece for the Condell Park Road Safety Song
Senior Supervisor Minchinbury Factory Favourite Song: Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor - Doing it like Marvin Gaye Favourite Movie: Clueless Favourite Hobbies: Making cupcakes, its all about the cakes Favourite Foods: I love all foods If you could be an animal what would you be: A pigeon What is your dream holiday destination: Disneyland, to meet Mickey Mouse If you won Lotto what would you spend the money on: Go on my dream holiday to Disneyland, share with family and good friends, give some for cancer research If you had the power what would you change about the world: The power to cure cancer What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Gave me my grandchildren If you had to teach something what would you teach: How to make cupcakes Something no one knows about me: I don’t eat beef and I hate passionfruit
L to R; Condell Park customers Zaid, Ali, Lilliana, Gerard, Wei, Amane and Mahoud perform their Road Safety Song.
Customers from the Condell Park Day Program spent time in a professional recording studio recently to capture their own rendition of a Road Safety song composed just for them by music therapist, James Paul. The song will be the backing track for a Road Safety DVD which the Condell Park Team are making thanks to a Community Grant from the NRMA. The group learnt the song carefully and had been practicing for over 2 months to get it just right. The recording session was led by James and everyone had a chance to use the headphones and a special microphone to record their piece. The song and DVD are titled “Stay Alert, Don’t Get Hurt”. The DVD is being shot with the help of Bankstown City Council who have made their special bicycle safety park available so that all the scenes, such as crossing the road, using a pedestrian crossing and crossing at the traffic lights can all be filmed very safely. Once completed, the DVD will be available to disability organisations across Australia through the NRMA. To hear the Condell Park Road Safety song go to the front page of the AFFORD intranet and you can listen to this very professional recording. Watch out One Direction here come Condell Park Day Program!
Don’t forget Staff Pay cycle change effective 29 June 2015. Contact Payroll on 8805 3744 for any issues. Don’t forget AFFORD Trivia Night - Saturday July 18, contact Lyn Wallace on 0409 903 646
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June 26, 2015 - Issue 10
Success for Annette with DES Annette Marker came to AFFORD Employment in Bankstown in May 2014 when her confidence and motivational levels were very low due to her health and other barriers she was trying to overcome. AFFORD Employment Consultant Mariam Hussein began working with Annette to try to increase her confidence and motivation. Pictured L-R Mariam with Annette.
With the help and support of Mariam a significant improvement was shown with Annette focusing on actively trying to gain employment in the field of her passion - the retail industry. Annette was introduced to an employer in the retail industry who was immediately interested in her skills and her passion for craft made her an ideal candidate to work in a store which sells craft items. Annette was offered the position she had been searching for and with the support of Mariam, is now working within a dynamic team, overcoming her barriers while maintaining her health program.
Guildford Work Shop Training Guildford wood work shop have been successfully running for quite a few months, making items such as door plaques, tea boxes, jewellery boxes, letter holders and chopping boards. It was recently identified that with the increase in number and complexity of projects, staff required competency based training for wood shop equipment so a joint project between Guildford wood shop and Minto Business Services was organised. Kai Spenner from Minto Business Services developed some competency based training on key machines for staff who work in the wood shop. In the first week of May over a 2 day period Kai trained staff on how to safely use the equipment. Staff who attended the training were Wayne Stacey, Garry Adams, Yvonne Van De Rijke, Grant Smith and Kai Spenner. This was a great experience for all involved and it was fantastic to see such positive co-operation between different parts of the business. After the training, Wayne Stacey commented that he will be able to save a lot of time in his work preparation as he understands how to use the machines for some finer work rather than using his hand tools.
Pictured above: Kai training the wood shop staff
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June 26, 2015 - Issue 10
Blacktown Expo The Link team work tirelessly at many Expos and Open Days throughout the year talking to parents and students about AFFORD and the services we have to offer. The Expos are run so service providers can all get together in one place which makes it easier for families to select providers that suit the needs of their children. Mark Ingham, DES Blacktown and Helen Berridge, Coordinator Windsor and Mt Druitt Day Programs are pictured assisting the Link Team at the 2015 Western Sydney Post School Programs Expo at Blacktown Workers Club held last week. Pictured right: Mark Ingham and Helen Berridge
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In this Selfie: Yvonne Droulias (DSW) and Jane Dowling (Coordinator) from Canley Vale Day Program
Please send in your selfies to Deb Fucci
Have a laugh