Staff Matters 240

Staff Matters January 17, 2020 Issue 240 Week 29

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF AFFORD AWARDED BEST WORKPLACE! This year we start the new decade on an absolute high with Afford being named 2019’s ‘Best Workplace’ based on your feedback in the Voice Staff Survey results. This prestigious Award recognises Afford as the place to be, with a highly engaged workforce of Affordians making up our Afford Community and excellent management practices guiding us under The Afford Way. As we enter into the New Year, it is a wonderful and motivational reminder that we work for an award winning workplace that’s officially been named the Best Workplace – as we’re sure we can all agree! There is a sense of achievement and pride that comes with being an Affordian and you can hold your head even higher knowing that we are officially the best in the biz! Not only are we Australia’s leading disability service provider, supporting our clients to the highest quality that our sector has to offer, but our robust suite of Employer of Choice initiatives mean that we care about our staff just as much as we do our clients.

In This Issue 1

Afford Awarded Best Workplace!

Joke Afford Trivia

2

Maintaining Our Standards

3

NSW Frontline Conference

4

Save Big This Year With Afford Rewards

Handyman Timetable

Reminder Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer

We are committed to continuously improving our performance and ensuring our workplace is one that our staff love coming to work in each day. Remember as we start the New Year to take each step with confidence knowing you are supported by the Afford brand, and to continue to deliver the exceptional quality supports that we are so well known for across Australia.

Afford is honoured to win the Best Workplace Award and we are so proud of our staff who continue to provide the best care in the industry. On that note; we hope everyone is refreshed and ready to take on 2020 – let’s do this Affordians!

AFFORD TRIVIA

What year did we expand into Queensland?

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Amanda Colles POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Redlands, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? If I Aint Got You – Alicia Keys FAVOURITE MOVIE? Castaway FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Kids FAVOURITE FOODS? Pasta IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? My cats WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Hawaii IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Not sure IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? How not to be a drama queen SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? My secret

January 17, 2020 Issue 240

MAINTAINING OUR STANDARDS With a new year upon us now is the time to take the opportunity to make sure we are all aware of Affords policies, procedures and The Afford Way!

The

Afford is an award winning organisation that cares for its clients and staff. We have established a positive profile throughout the community along the Eastern Seaboard and it is important to be aware of our actions and the way we represent ourselves and the Afford brand in the community.

We are all responsible for ensuring that Afford’s high service standards and reputation for being the best are upheld at all times. We can do this by making sure we follow all the Afford policies and procedures set in place to create safe environments for all.

Safety is everyone’s priority, and must be up to date and well aware of our safety policies and procedures. Staff members can access all our policy and procedure documents on the intranet.

Also, all sites have a soft copy of an Operational Manual for quick and easy reference. If you do not have a soft copy of this, Ops Manuals are also available on the intranet.

For our clients, let’s make sure we’re not complacent and keep to our Afford standards that ensure a safe and fun environment for all. We need to make sure we are using our knowledge of smart work practices and general common sense to uphold our standards.

Communication is key and as a large organisation, we rely heavily on communicating new policies and procedures either in print or online. Make sure that you and your teams all regularly keep up with emails, read Staff Matters every week, and communicate regularly within your teams and districts for updates via your regular team meetings and Buzz Nights.

It is critical new staff are aware and understand the Afford Way! Our focus on The Afford Way is what sets us apart from the rest and makes us Australia's leading disability service provider.

If you see any instances where something may be a concern, notify your direct report immediately or follow the Red Alert process. If you feel that you would like to refresh your training, get in touch with our training department to book in a session.

We are one community of teams and tribes that works together to look out for each other and our clients. Be proud to be an Affordian and maintain our standards as the Best Workplace!

www.afford.com.au

January 17, 2020 Issue 240

Staff Matters NSW FRONTLINE CONFERENCE As a great start to the year, our NSW frontline staff participated in a Client Services Conference coordinated by Maureen Brown on 9th of January at the Blacktown Workers Club. It was a daylong conference that provided attendees with the opportunity to learn about developments in the disability sector and get motivated for the exciting year ahead.

It was an early start, with everyone getting settled quickly; ready for a great day of learning. Maureen opened the conference with introductions and an outline of the agenda.

After morning tea, attendees were provided with an inspiring presentation

by Dave Hollier, who updated us on all the exciting improvements that have happened at our Cherrywood SuperSite and Bushbred program.

After lunch, Shaun Spence, the Hawthorn Hawks Foundation Manager, launched his presentation on how to effectively work as a team through adversity, and come out on TOP. The Hawthorn Hawks are by far, the most successful partnership that we currently have across the country.

Steve delivered an inspirational CEO address highlighting our ever continuing success and growth, not only in NSW but also in QLD and VIC. He was also excited to share our award winning Voice Projects 2019 Staff Survey results for which we were awarded the highly prestigious Best Workplace Award.

After afternoon tea, we had a panel of experts to take questions from attendees, around ideas and suggestions for keeping us the employer who everyone wants to work for. The panel consisted of Steve, Kym, Kathy and Stephanie.

It was a day full of learning and inspiration and attendees took a great deal away with them to inspire their own - and their teams - performances in 2020.

Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 20th January: Rouse Hill, Kings Park and Blacktown - 21st January: Billabong, Dolphin and Bluebird - 22nd January: Minto ADE and Ingleburn ADE - 23rd Janaury: Campbelltown and Glen Alpine

Meet Our Handyman Tahier

- 24th Janaury: Attend to urgent requests

www.afford.com.au

January 17, 2020 Issue 240

Staff Matters SAVE BIG THIS YEAR WITH AFFORD REWARDS If saving money is one of your New Year’s resolutions, then you need to make sure you are a member of Afford Rewards Employer of Choice program! Afford Rewards launched in September 2018 and has since been a huge success saving our staff and your families hundred to thousands of dollars on everyday purchases.

Afford is focussed on being the leader in the disability sector. We want to attract the top talent and nurture professional development for success. That’s why we implement initiatives that recognise and reward staff by cultivating the best company culture and delivering impressive employee benefits. We know you strive to provide the best service in the industry, that’s why we want to reward you.

Log on to Affordrewards.com.au and start accessing rewards across 100s of retailers and businesses that could save you and your family $1,000's! There are loads of discounts and rewards to enjoy and it’s just another way Afford would like to say ‘thank you’ for making a positive difference as part of the Afford community.

If you have any questions or technical problems, the Afford Rewards Customer Service Helpline is on hand to answer your enquiries on: 1300 900 186.

Start benefitting from the awesome rewards right now and start saving money in 2020!

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

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

W Selfie Above: NS Acting Team ion at od mm co Ac orjohann and St on lis Al Leader, resident John.

Pawsome Se lfi Grants & Fu e Above: Toni Prest on, nd a dolphin fr raising Coordinator, iend in Haw with aii!

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

23 January

VIC Frontline Conference

26 January

Australia Day

1-28 February

Feel Good February

1-28 February

FebruDAREy

Afford Trivia Answer: 2018

www.afford.com.au