Issue 105 27.04.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Provider brings in flexible wage scheme for staff PARKLANDS Care Homes has introduced a new flexible wage scheme for employees to help them through the cost of living crisis. The company, which operates nine sites in Moray and the Highlands, is the latest to sign up to Wagestream, a financial wellbeing platform for frontline workers founded in 2018 by charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Its mission is to give employees the ability to instantly access, track, save and manage earned wages. The platform ensures that Parklands’ employees can access up to 40 per cent of their accrued wages at any point of the month, in the event of unplanned expenses. Elaine Taylor, operations director for Parklands Care Homes, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Wagestream. We’re committed to doing everything we can to support our employees. “The way we work is changing. The traditional model of being paid at the end of the month doesn’t work for many shift workers, it isn’t responsive to the cost of living crisis and doesn’t allow employees to meet unexpected costs. “This new system gives us greater labour flexibility, which is vital during a pandemic, but also gives our employees peace of mind that if they are hit with unexpected costs, they don’t have
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to be out of pocket. “The majority of our staff are shift workers and this platform gives them the power to choose when they’re paid, which is especially important in the current financial climate.” Wagestream also automatically links to Parklands’ shift rota system Planday to ensure that shift workers can claim up to 40 per cent of their salary for any additional hours worked and be paid the next day. It comes as a survey by Wagestream shows that for four in 10 UK employees, money pressures are their biggest worry, with the fear of unexpected costs the biggest concern for 47 per cent. The survey also found that more than a quarter (26 per cent) run out of money before pay day. Parklands recently announced that it plans to build 24 affordable flats for rent in Inverness to house employees at its new care hub in the city, currently under construction. The company hopes that providing affordable homes for rent for its staff will encourage more qualified care workers to take up new posts at the care hub which will consist of a 58-bed care home and a later living village of 11 homes. Parklands has also introduced incentives for new employees, including a £2,000 welcome bonus for new full-time nurses and a £250 incentive for other new employees, including carers.
Signature at Rosebery Manor client liaison manager Debbie Self has joined Step Up for 30 – a challenge where participants fundraise for Bowel Cancer UK. Residents and team members at the Epsom care home have helped Debbie on her challenge, where individuals commit to a form of exercise each day for 30 consecutive days across April. They do so in the hope of raising donations and sponsorship, as well as promoting Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Debbie joined the home when it opened in May 2014, and in February 2019 she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. Her treatment required daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy for six weeks, and surgery to remove the tumour and create a stoma. A further four months of chemotherapy followed, and another surgical operation in June 2021.
Awards nominations now open OPERATORS wanting to put themselves forward for recognition have been urged to enter the Caring UK Awards. Nominations for this year’s event are now open at www.caringukawards.co.uk The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Caring UK, recognise excellence and achievement in all corners of the care industry. And with more than 20 categories up for grabs, there’s something to suit every type of care business. These include everything from Quality in Housekeeping and Catering Team of the Year to Best Outdoor Environment and End of Life Team of the Year. Event organiser Dominic Musgrave said: “Nominations are coming in and
our events team is already busy ensuring that this year’s event is bigger and better than ever. Our main aim is to recognise and honour the best in our wonderful sector and showcase the innovation and dedication that goes on every day so please share your successes and tell us about your hard work and initiatives by sending in your nominations … it’s a real privilege to read them.” A shortlist in each category will then be drawn up, with winners chosen by an expert panel. Trophies will be handed out at a glittering ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday, December 1 presented by Emmerdale actor Dean Andrews.
Win a three in one Triflex vacuum cleaner by taking part in the Miele survey on our Caring UK website https://www.caring-uk.co.uk/
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