HEALTH & WELLBEING
ARE YOUR CREAKY KNEES OR BACK TELLING YOU IT’S TIME TO TRADE IN YOUR TOOLS? If you’re an older tradie, physical limitations may be impacting your ability to perform your trade. Perhaps your back isn’t what it used to be and the bending and kneeling are really taking their toll. This can be a worrying time for older tradies – after all, you’ve likely spent a long time (if not a lifetime) finessing your trade and you aren’t ready to retire yet, so what are the alternatives? Perhaps you’ve considered becoming a trainer for your industry or would like to transition more to the administration side of your trade business. Regardless, there are many potential career transitions to consider and the great news is that there is support available through the Australian Government funded Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers program. The Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers is a no-cost program that offers career guidance support for mature and experienced tradespersons (and any worker aged 45-70) to transition to a new role within your industry or a new industry. Recognising that older workers have an incredible amount of knowledge and skills, the program helps to keep those highly valuable skills in the Australian workforce. The program offers you or your workers: • careers assessment of your skills, talents, and preferences; • one-on-one support with a career support mentor who can provide guidance and help you work out your options; and • access to 50% funding towards vocational education courses to assist you with your career transition. BUSY At Work, an established not-for-profit organisation that offers a range of recruitment and skills development programs, administers the Skills Checkpoint program in Queensland and can assist you or your staff to navigate your options through the program. To apply online or for more information, visit www.skillscheck.com.au. Article supplied by Busy at Work
WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO TO COMBAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE? The conditions of employment within workplaces have significantly changed over the past 12-18 months due to COVID-19. We are noticing that the impact is different for each workplace and the way the business is adapting also differs. This change in conditions and adjusting to adaptability is having an impact on the mental health of workers. We have been receiving an increase in queries from members regarding employee mental health. In particular, the question we get asked is, “What are some ways that employers can work with their employees?” So, we have put together some suggestions for businesses to consider.
Flexible Work Arrangements
It doesn’t have to be working from home. Flexible work arrangements could also be: • Adjusting hours of work – start earlier or later • Work more hours over fewer days If adjustments are made, it is important to have it mutually agreed in writing.
MATES in Construction
MATES is a great initiative that provides support and assistance for those who need to talk about the emotional struggles they may be having, and it is FREE for people working in the construction industry.
Employee Assistance Programs
These programs offer different packages for businesses to utilise to provide employees with counselling when they require it. The cost for the business will depend on the employee assistance program implemented.
Team Building Activities
With COVID-19, many businesses have stopped having that Friday afternoon or morning coffee catch up. Depending on the different COVID-19 restrictions, businesses should try to continue having that regular catch up as a whole team to keep everyone united and connected. Mental health awareness is an area that is on the increase, and it is important that businesses don’t shy away from it but become more be open to communicate and work with their team. For further suggestions or if there are particular issues within your business, give the MPAQ Workplace Relations team a call on 07 3273 0800.
Article written by Emma Ross, MPAQ Human Resources Advisor and Office Coordinator
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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2021
