Staff Matters December 6, 2019 Issue 234 Week 23
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF WAGE INCREASE FOR THE SCHADS AWARD! We are excited to announce that staff members currently on the award rate level of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) and all Lifestyle Assistants will be receiving a pay rise, starting your first pay period in December 2019! The pay rise is thanks to the Equal Remuneration Order made by the Fair Work Commission, where pay rates for employees in the social and community services industry are gradually increasing under the Equal Remuneration Order (ERO). Although most staff are already paid above award, Afford will be giving a 1.5% pay rise for all Lifestyle Assistants and award rate paid staff, which means more money for Christmas! Afford prides itself in being an Employer of Choice and is very excited to pass this increase onto our staff. Our staff go above and beyond to truly make Afford the best disability service provider in Australia Congratulations and have a Merry Christmas!
In This Issue 1
Wage increase For the SCHADS Award! Joke Afford Trivia
2
Allied Health in the Hunter
3
Diversity in the Workplace
4
Head Office Christmas Cheer!
Reminder
Handyman Timetable Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer
AFFORD TRIVIA
What year did we open St Marys Respite?
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Deanna George (Daisy) POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Ipswich, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Whiskey Lullaby – Brad Paisley FAVOURITE MOVIE? Braveheart FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Crochet, dance and painting FAVOURITE FOODS? Sushi and lasagne IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An owl or wolf WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Scottish Highlands
December 6, 2019 Issue 234
ALLIED HEALTH IN THE HUNTER
Conferences play a huge part in our business development, providing the ideal opportunity to plan and learn from each other in a motivating environment. Recently our Allied Health team decided to hold one of their very own! The Allied Health conference was organised by Audrey Falvey – Allied Health Team Leader NSW, allowing an excellent opportunity for all three states to get together.
Teams checked into the hotel called Voco, in Kirkton Park, Hunter Valley to join in on an inspiring and motivating two days. Conferences are key to the Afford Way keeping our Staff updated, connected and involved with what is happening within our organisation. They also provide a forum to network and brainstorm new and exciting ideas and offer a great opportunity to create stronger connections within our organisation. The content covered over the two days included many topics such as: Self-Care - Ally Grainger, Clinical Psychologist.
IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Peace worldwide
CIMS Training - Kari Jayatilleke, District
IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Dance and art
Q&A - Joy Kumar, Manager - Allied Health & Projects
SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I love to write and sing
Manager
Key Word Sign Workshop - Olivia Page & Carolyn Ryan, Speech Pathologists
“State of Origin” - Mission & Vision for Allied Health Peer Supervision – meeting in clinical teams The team welcomed guest speaker Megan King, who spoke about ‘The DIR Floortime Approach’ – Supporting people throughout the lifespan. It wouldn’t be an Afford conference without a team-building activity, and what better one then some grape stomping the Hunter Valley wine region! Teams got messy stomping grapes and making wine, finishing off the night checking out the famous Hunter Valley Christmas lights and indulging in a delicious dinner together. What’s to come for Allied Health? Teams are busy developing Allied Health’s mission and vision to increase collaboration between multidisciplinary teams and the quality of service provision! We look forward to another year of amazing achievements in our Allied Health team!
www.afford.com.au
December 6, 2019 Issue 234
Staff Matters DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE
Mikala is one of Afford's shining stars. She joined the Afford SLES (School Leaver Employment Support) Program in 2015, where she excelled, consistently looking to the future to set herself new challenges and goals. With support and encouragement from Afford, Mikala has become empowered to trust in her abilities to succeed at work and in life. This week we celebrated International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), the theme for this year was 'Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership'. The main focus of the theme is the empowerment of persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. It is a perfect opportunity to celebrate Mikala's determination and hard work. From the SLES Program, she has moved up the ranks in Afford to now be the face that greets people as they walk through the front door at Afford's HQ, as well as the voice on the phone to answer your enquiries. Mikala joined the SLES Program (previously known as TTW – Transition to Work) after completing work experience at Afford's Blacktown site while still at school. She participated in various modules and training through the program at Riverstone, with the support of her trainers. During her time with SLES, she developed her skills in travel on public transport independently, and working in an office environment. With a supportive team to guide her through the training, Mikala says that her time in SLES truly helped her prepare for life in the workforce. "I learnt a lot throughout SLES, and whenever I need help, someone was always there to help me." During her time with SLES, Mikala proved that she is resilient, willing to challenge herself and is determined. As a result of her hard work and determination, Mikala was headhunted to work in an administrative role at Afford's Minchinbury Head Office. Today, Mikala has secured a permanent role with Afford. In her Receptionist position, Mikala displays enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and confidence. She completes various tasks with efficiency and effectiveness. She inputs data into spreadsheets, uploads all staff qualifications, processes purchase orders and incoming/outgoing mail, and adapts to the variety of tasks she is asked to do. Mikala says that one of the highlight moments of working at Afford's Head Office was receiving an Afford Customer Service Award by Afford's CEO, Steven Herald. "I was so surprised to receive a Customer Service Award. Everyone knows that I work hard and do my best to do my tasks. I really like working at Afford. There are always people coming and going. It's nice to be part of a team."
Reminder! Reminder to save the following red alert contacts into your phones: • Amira Salama – 0406 889 551 • Kym Mafi - 0410 733 315 • Tracy Younie – 0466 862 428 • Kathy Bullock - 0435 718 177 • Allan Sio - 0400 779 113
www.afford.com.au
December 6, 2019 Issue 234
Staff Matters HEAD OFFICE CHRISTMAS CHEER!
The Afford culture promotes a tribal spirit where we all celebrate as a team. Our team especially loves to celebrate the joy of the festive season! Every year we celebrate and share the spirit of Christmas hosting staff and client parties in each state. Departments often also hold a smaller Christmas buzz with their teams and sites hold parties for clients, parents and carers to attend. It’s no secret we love to spread the Christmas cheer and last week NSW National Head Office staff, NSW District and State Managers celebrated with a Christmas buzz lunch! With close to 50 attendees, it was a festive vibe as teams let their hair down and mingled with their colleagues in a relaxed setting. Attendees were served a delicious 3-course meal and joined together belting out their favourite tunes! Like all Afford events, there was plenty of food and laughter. Aside from having a great time, everyone shared stories about all the achievements this year and, of course, what 2020 would bring for Afford in our home state of NSW. Events like these are important, as they offer opportunities to get together with your colleagues that you see every day, but may not know very well on a personal level. We encourage all sites to hold regular buzzes and get-togethers, and we are looking forward to seeing all of our Sydney staff at the NSW Staff Christmas party on the 20th of December!
Handyman Timetable
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 9th December: Rouse Hill, Kings Park and Blacktown - 10th December: South Windsor and Bligh Park - 11th December: Prestons, Minto and Ingleburn ADEs - 12th December: Jamisontown, Butterflies and True Blue - 13th December: Chipping Norton, Green Valley and Campbelltown
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
5 & 6 December 13 December
ion ssing the recept Selfie Above: Pa nie, ela M , ha es Ki baton - Mikala, nna. Rawvell and Do
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Heckenber Krystal g, Accommod LSA Far West ation, feed ing a Giraf fe!
NSW Client Services Christmas Parties ADE, Accomm & SLES Christmas Party
20 December
NSW Staff Christmas Party
1-31 December
Decembeard
Afford Trivia Answer: 2009!
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