mature workers matter university of adelaide 2 june 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Mature Workers Matter
University of Adelaide
2 June 2011
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
“The typical aged care worker is female, born in Australia, aged 50, married, with at least 12 years of schooling + post school qualifications, working 16 – 34 hours a week.”
ACSA Our Clients and Our Workforce presentation
MATURE WORKERS MATTERWorkforce Statistics
• 93% residential & 91% community workers are female (NILS, 2008).
• 60% residential care workers aged over 45 + & 70% community care workers aged 45 + Aust workforce 36.7% (NILS, 2008). HACC workforce 56% 45 + (HACC, 2006).
• 2/3rds residential and 60% of community workers are part-time. 29% are casual (more in community care) (NILS, 2008).
• 2/3rds residential & 3/4s community workers Australian born (NILS, 2008).
• 1 in 4 PCs & CCW and 1 in 5 RNs have to be replaced each year by their current employer (NILS, 2008).
MATURE WORKERS MATTERParticular Challenges for Mature Workers
• Very manual nature of work• Majority of workforce made up of women• Very high workloads• Significant stress• Sandwich generation• People working longer
MATURE WORKERS MATTEROlder Workers Rock• Experienced• Dedicated• Outstanding work ethic• Skilled• Lots of us• Empathy with residents/clients• Loyal
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
Attracted to work because they find working with clients rewarding.
Very committed to high quality care – balance high work loads, complex client/carer issues, legal & regulatory responsibilities, internal & external reporting, human resource issues.
Pay rate is lower than comparative industries which exacerbates feeling of being undervalued.
Job satisfaction very important:Good team and management support (supportive work environment)Being valued by managers, clients and the communityGood work conditions eg family-flexible work arrangements, ongoing learning opportunities, salary packaging, more time caring, autonomy, career pathways etcEnough staff to share work load reducing the feeling of pressure and stress (this was seen as more important than a pay rise in some areas)
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
ACS Mature Workers Matter Project, funded by Employers Mutual Ltd.
Project Purpose
Build leadership capability around mature workforce matters
Support the implementation of practical interventions to improve the working experience of mature workers
Provide resources to keep workers in good health and free from injury
MATURE WORKERS MATTERProject Outcomes
• Web-based Resource Kit– E-learning module– Industry Case Studies– Champion’s Projects – progress reports– List of tools and resources
• Champions will – Participate in series of 4 Master Classes– Continue to meet for peer support– Implement and measure success of their projects– Offer mentor support to industry– Keep mature worker matters on the agenda
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
Project Process
• Steering Group made up of key stakeholders• Consultation with Senior Managers, HR staff,
Supervisors/Coordinators and mature workers• Series of 4 Master Classes• Appointment of Industry Champions
MATURE WORKERS MATTERConsultation Findings Identified a Need For:
• More sophisticated understanding and application of flexible work practices
• Examination of job design and individual workability• Exploration of different staffing models and organisation structures• Implementation of career pathways and transition to retirement
incorporating new roles such as mentoring, training, coaching etc• Considering how technology can reduce manual handling risks• Rethinking wellbeing programs and what incentives would increase
uptake• The important place of consultation and conversations
MATURE WORKERS MATTERLearning’s So Far
• Although a lot of interest and enthusiasm in the topic, workload and nature of a not for profit industry means that commitment to attending a series of 4 master classes is problematic – overcome with flexible options
• Designing and implementing projects within the master class time frame difficult – alternatives offered
• Flexible arrangements often available but work culture not conducive
• Some interventions reliant on increased funding• Need transformational change and thinking outside the square but
sustainable change is more likely to happen incrementally
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
Master Classes
• Decision makers - HR, OHS or Site Managers / Coordinators
• A community of 30 practitioners with 10 regularly involved
• Four three hour sessions over 5 month period
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
Master Class Program
1 Why Mature Workers Matter2 Return to Work Conversations3 Flexible Work Practices4 Work Organisation & Job Design
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
Master Class Projects
• Mentoring projects• Health & Wellbeing• Manual handling• Interviewing mature workers• Job redesign
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
• Master Class content
• Case studies• Projects detail• Resources • Podcasts,
Checklists• Champion
profiles
MATURE WORKERS MATTER
MOST IMPORTANT ADVOCATES FOR WORKING IN SECTOR ARE EXISTING WORKERS
Look After Your Current Workforce And They Will Provide The Best Care Possible
Look After Your Current Workforce And They Will Attract The Future Workforce
QUESTIONS ?
THANKS FOR FUNDING FROMEMPLOYERS MUTUAL LTD
Carol MohanHACC Service Support & Development OfficerAged & Community Services SA & NT IncTelephone: 8338 7111Email: [email protected]