Staff Matters
June 19, 2015 - Issue 9 Week 51
Announcement from the CEO
Any CEO coming into a new organisation will assess the company’s strengths, weaknesses, financial performance and priorities and look for opportunities. I came to AFFORD because of its rich history and reputation for providing high quality support and services for people with disability through its award winning, innovative programs. As you know, AFFORD supports hundreds of people with disabilities every day. We now operate from 32 sites across Greater Western Sydney. Our front line staff are dedicated to their clients providing first class service with integrity, empathy, cooperation and respect. AFFORD has great success stories and I am here to ensure that the success stories continue as we enter into the brave new world of the NDIS. I acknowledge that the organisation has had various senior acting arrangements in place over a number of years and I thank you for your resilience. After careful review of AFFORD’s operations and its future direction, it is now time to start making modifications to our operations. We need to think and act differently and smarter to prepare ourselves for an NDIS future. This means it’s time for change. No longer can we plod along conducting business as usual waiting for NDIS to hit us. We need to be more efficient and do more with our assets and working capital to maximise returns so we can reinvest back into providing more services for our clients.
In this Issue Page 1 • Announcement from CEO
Page 2 • Staff Profile • Masterchefs at Green Valley • Pay Cycle Change
Page 3 • Stay Healthy in Flu Season
We need to start making this happen and turn AFFORD into a commercial thinking organisation that is well placed for future challenges and opportunities. In this space, I am announcing a new structure and making the hard decision to reduce staff numbers at the middle and senior management levels. The decision to make a number of roles redundant was difficult, but one that had to be done in order to improve efficiency and reduce duplication in order to reshape the organisation to meet the future demands. We need a structure that will help shift AFFORD from a provider of welfare to an organisation that empowers its front line business to make decisions, together with clients, on the services they need to allow them to shape their own lives. We need a structure that takes AFFORD onto the next chapter of its evolution. A commercial evolution. It will be a difficult time in our organisation over the next month as people transition out of the organisation. I acknowledge their contribution and AFFORD will provide them with support to assist them during this process. As an organisation, I’m sure you will support your fellow colleagues as much as you can. We have set up a support line – 1800 818 728 if staff need someone to talk to other than their immediate manager. You can also contact me on steven.herald@afford.com.au and I will answer any questions you may have. The Board and I are dedicated to the successful operations of AFFORD and proud of the wonderful work our staff and partners do every day in helping people with disability in Greater Western Sydney. We will continue striving for excellence in service delivery while we build a stronger organisation to address the challenges ahead. Yours Faithfully, Steven Herald
T 02 8805 3700 E info@afford.com.au 12 Marieanne Place, Minchinbury 2770 afford.com.au
Page 4 • Mandy Best at Bowls • AFFORD Selfies • Have A Laugh
AFFORD Fact In 1966 AFFORD were the recipients of the largest grant ever given by the NSW Department of Social Services to a disability organisation, when they granted $149,031 to assist in the construction of Cherrywood Village.
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June 19, 2015 - Issue 9
Staff Profile
Gary Maton DSW Windsor
Favourite Song: Four Seasons in One Day, Crowded House Favourite Movie: Anything Sci Fi Favourite Hobbies: Football Favourite Foods: Roast If you could be an animal what would you be: Cheetah What is your dream holiday destination: I’m doing it in September! Here I come Paris! If you won Lotto what would you spend the money on: Family and friends If you had the power what would you change about the world: World Peace What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My ‘Dragons’ team got me $200 of Red Balloon Vouchers and it was a beautiful gesture of thanks. If you had to teach something what would you teach: Ball sports in general, team play Something no one knows about me: My brothers and I were all born in the same house that my mother and all her sisters were born.
Masterchefs at Green Valley
Pictured: Andrea Tuazonis peeling the spuds
Pictured: Chris Barreto grates the carrot
Watch out Matt Preston, the customers at the Green Valley Day Program are becoming serious MasterChefs after some creative lessons from DSW Adela Cordova. Adela is a fantastic cook who really enjoys using her knowledge and cooking skills to inspire Green Valley customers to become healthy chefs. The cooking program is held on a Friday each week and customers help to prepare every part of the meal. Andrea and Chris were helping to make a great lunch which on this occasion included chicken schnitzels, sweet and savoury potatoes and a carrot salad. The customers are quick to pick up on a wide range of cooking tips and they are now very keen to help their parents and carers with every evening meal.
My Pay - Staff Pay Cycle Change This is a reminder to Staff that we are currently in the process of transitioning the Staff Fortnightly pay cycle to the opposite week and realigning the Period End to finish on a Sunday. Below is the Payroll Schedule as we transition: 25th June – Normal Pay as per current Payroll schedule 2nd July – This is a transition pay, this will include 3 or 5 days pay as we move over to the new Payroll cycle (3 days for Monday to Friday Employees and up to 5 days for Accommodation and Respite Services depending on employees working roster). This pay will cover the period of 24th June to 28th June aligning the Period End to now fall on a Sunday. There will be no Maxxia deductions from this pay. 16th July – Normal Pay as per new Payroll schedule As we prepare for this transition, please ensure that you read all information that you receive in relation to the pay cycle change to help the Payroll/ HR team to provide a smooth transition for everyone. Please remember to make arrangements for any direct debits or payments that you have aligned to the current pay cycle. Please note: Maxxia will also send information to you separately in regards to any changes this may have on your salary packaging amounts. If you feel that you will face financial hardship as a result of this change please contact Nikita Gupta for a confidential discussion on 8805 3742. Please remember that the pay cycle change is for Staff only. There will be no change to Supported Employees pay cycle.
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June 19, 2015 - Issue 9
Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season Have you touched your computer keyboard today? Turned a door handle? Used the lunch room microwave? If so, you’ve come into contact with a lot of germs. A study done by personal health products manufacturer Kimberly-Clark found that some of the most germ-ridden places in an office are the ones you may not expect. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces is one way to cut down on the number of cold and flu germs that are passed from one co-worker to another, but the flu can be a tough virus to avoid even when a person knows where germs may be hiding. Not only can viruses lurk on surfaces touched by an infected person, they can also hover in the air through tiny droplets that are created when a person talks, coughs, or sneezes. An infected person can spread the flu to others up to about 6 feet away. A person needn’t be experiencing symptoms to be infectious; the virus can be passed on a day before symptoms develop and up to a week after a person becomes sick.
Here are some actions you can take to avoid the cold or flu bug and stay healthy: 1. Get the flu shot now. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop and offer protection. The shot, which contains an inactivated virus that cannot cause illness, is recommended for everyone six months old & older. People between 2 and 49 years old may be able to get the vaccination in a nasal spray that contains a weakened form of the virus. A flu shot is needed even by those who got one last year. 2. Wash hands regularly. Hands should be washed often, using soap and water for 20 seconds. 3. Keep sanitizer handy. Hand sanitizer won’t clean hands that have dirt on them, but an alcohol-based rub can be an option if your hands aren’t visibly dirty. 4. Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth can bring germs into the body. 5. Clean up. Frequently touched surfaces such as computer equipment and telephones should be kept clean. 6. Avoid close contact with ill people. Avoid shaking hands or coming in close contact with co-workers or other people who are showing signs of colds or flu. 7. Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress and eat nutritious food to keep your body ready to fight infection if a virus invades your body. 8. Cover your cough. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to help keep germs from spreading to those around you. 9. If you’re sick, think about staying home. Staying home will help keep others in your office healthy. If you do come down with the flu, get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids such as water, soup or tea. Over-thecounter medications may help relieve fever, coughing, and congestion.
The HR Team
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June 19, 2015 - Issue 9
Mandy Best at Bowls Amanda (Mandy) Kentwell works in the AFFORD factory at Prestons and is a keen Ten Pin Bowler. Nearly every weekend she can be found bowling with friends and acquaintances, and some of these people are members of the Special Olympics Ten Pin Bowling team including Willy and Nicole, who also work at the Prestons factory. Two weeks ago Mandy competed with her team in the Canberra Inter-Club Ten Pin Bowling event which was held at her home bowling alley in Macarthur. Mandy finished with a second and a third place even against some of Special Olympics champions. Needless to say that both she and her son are very proud of this great achievement. Pictured right: Mandy with her ribbons and certificate
Don’t forget AFFORD Trivia Night - Saturday July 18, contact Lyn Wallace on 0409 903 646
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In this Selfie - Steven Pham from Lurnea Day Program (middle) with customers Krystan Beckett & Rikki Castle
Please send in your selfies to Deb Fucci
Have a laugh