Staff Matters 239

Staff Matters January 10, 2019 Issue 239 Week 28

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF GET FIT IN THE NEW YEAR

In This Issue

Afford Employer of Choice initiatives have been implemented to make sure that our employees have a great work life balance and access to healthy living initiatives. With the year now in full swing, let's make our health and fitness a priority. Stay motivated and continue to access a range of programs and facilities near you, thanks to the Fitness Passport.

1

Get Fit in the New Year Joke Afford Trivia

The Fitness Passport can help you set your fitness goals by providing access to multiple nearby fitness centres for you and your family.

Now is the best time of the year to start making steps towards and happier and healthier 2020.

2

Afford's Study Supports Expand Your Skills

3

Fire Safety For Your Site!

4

Refresh Your Uniform for the New Year!

Handyman Timetable Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events

Exercising is so important for a number of reasons including weight control, combating health conditions, improving your mood, promoting better sleep, boosting your energy and much more! It is a great way to catch up with friends or make new ones by going to classes and getting involved in the local community.

Afford Trivia Answer

When you are active, you have a healthier state of mind, and if your head is clear and you are focused, you can excel in your job!

If you are not already a member, now is the time to sign up! Check what gyms are available near you, visit www.fitnesspassport.com.au/AFS to check out program and facility updates.

Contact the HR team by emailing hr@afford.com.au to find out more!

AFFORD TRIVIA

Guildford Day Program opened in what year?

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Samuel Babalola POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Beenleigh, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Like You - Tatiana Manaois FAVOURITE MOVIE? Game Of Thrones FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Travelling, singing and driving FAVOURITE FOODS? Rice, fish & salad IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A bird WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Paris IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Corruption

January 10, 2019 Issue 239

AFFORDS STUDY SUPPORTS - EXPAND YOUR SKILLS

With the New Year already here it is time to think about your career goals and what you want to achieve this year. As an Employer of Choice, Afford is dedicated to providing our staff with opportunities for career development, growth of their skills, knowledge and qualifications.

Last year, our HR team announced an exciting new Employer of Choice Initiative which offers subsidised study options, which pays for tertiary study costs UPFRONT, rather than reimbursing fees.

There is no better time than now to take the next step towards your future. This time next year, you could have another qualification under your belt and a greater sense of accomplishment and achievement!

We will pay upfront the fees associated with tertiary study as follows: • Cert IV – full cost upfront!

• Diploma and Advanced Diplomas - full cost upfront!

• Undergraduate and Post Graduate University studies – up to $3,500 per qualification!

Here is the process for accessing Afford's tertiary study support: 1. To access tertiary support, staff need to provide a quote for the course costs to hr@afford.com.au for approval 2. Once approved, please email the invoice to

accountspayable@afford.com.au and CC hr@afford.com.au and payment will be arranged.

IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Love

Some of the courses to consider would be Certificate III in Community Service, Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Disability, Certificate IV in Mental Health and many more including Diplomas!

SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? How much I love to make friends

Check out the TAFE NSW website to search courses that may be of interest to you.

It's that easy! So jump on board and access tertiary study support with Afford!

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

January 10, 2019 Issue 239

Staff Matters FIRE SAFETY FOR YOUR SITE!

With the recent bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland it is very important that Afford staff are aware of the dangers that fires pose and are armed with the strategies to keep them and clients safe in the case of an emergency.

It is also important that we build employee awareness around preventative measures to reduce the risk of fire. There are many ways in which a fire can start, and staff should be aware of how we can reduce the risk of fires starting.

If we are all diligent in making sure that our sites are safe, we can reduce the risks.

Fires can be a real hazard if the proper precautions are not taken at our sites. It is important that we ensure the following: • When you start at any site familiarise yourself with the site fire and evacuation procedures.

• Consider the hazards at your site/s.

• One of the most important aspects of general fire safety is instructing employees to maintain clean and neat workspaces.

• Regularly check appliances/electrical equipment on site for faults; ensuring you alert our maintenance team of any faults.

• Don’t overload power points and power boards.

• Never use faulty equipment or power leads.

• Keep the landscaping around your site tidy to prevent fuelling any fires - Clear any dead trees, shrubs, leaves, and plants away.

• Be vigilant about cigarettes and their disposal.

• Staff should be instructed on how to properly dispose of waste, particularly flammable products and paper goods.

• Turn off heaters when not in use.

• Never use faulty equipment or power leads.

• In our clothes dryers on site ensure our lint filters are emptied.

• Blow out the candles.

• Do not leave electrical equipment operating on site when no one is there.

• Report fire hazards, incidents, and near misses.

Having the above safety steps in place as well as an escape plan and a working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of getting out safely and being prepared in case of an emergency.

At Afford we practice our fire drills every month, while sometimes it may seem like an inconvenience or something you may not want to do; it is extremely important that we do practice these drills for the safety of everyone involved.

Recently, Cherrywood Day Program had to put their fire drill training into gear as they were relocated due to the fires in the area. It is times like these that our staff shine and showcase the high standards of Afford’s supports by ensuring everyone is always safe in our care.

Now is a great time to review your evacuation plans, look over your electrical appliances and practice your fire drills. Let’s get fire safe!

www.afford.com.au

January 10, 2019 Issue 239

Staff Matters REFRESH YOUR UNIFORM FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Providing opportunities for subsidised uniforms is yet another of the Afford Employer of Choice initiatives we offer our staff. Think about your current uniform, are your shirts fresh and ready to go for the New Year or do you need some new shirts?

Afford offers the following uniforms: 1. Afford Polo Shirts Cost: $15 for 3 Polo shirts, deducted from your next payroll payment.

How to Order: Fill out the ‘Polo Shirt Order Form’ located on the intranet and send it to shirts@afford.com.au.

2. Afford Business Shirts Cost: $20 each or two shirts for $30, deducted from your next payroll payment.

How to Order: Send an email with your name, size and colour preferences to business.shirts@afford.com.au.

Colours: Charcoal, White, Royal Blue (dark blue) and Sapphire (light blue).

The positive benefits of wearing are uniform are: • They help promote client loyalty and engage clients with their vibrant colours • It is positive for the image of the company • It also helps Affordians connect as part of the Afford Community – Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe!

HANDYMAN TIMETABLE

Meet Our Handyman Tahier

Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 13th January: Marrikville and Ashfield - 14th January: Belmore and Bexley - 15th January: Condell Park and Chipping Norton - 16th January: Narellen Vale, Narellen and Leumea - 17th January: Attend to urgent requests

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

yley uthport LSA, Ha Selfie Above: So at the bin Gr ch Za t en Lindsay and cli beach.

Pawsome Se lfie Above: Colavito, A Kristiarne ct Norton and ing TL Chipping furbaby, C easar.

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

9 January

Frontline Staff Conference

16 January

QLD Frontline Conference

23 January

VIC Frontline Conference

26 January

Australia Day

Afford Trivia Answer: 2011

www.afford.com.au