Single Site Working Arrangements, accepting additional shifts and recent increase in personal leave
9 August 2021
To: All Easton Park team members
From: Sharon Fletcher, Operations Manager
Single Site Working Arrangement
As you are aware, due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Sydney and to assist with reducing the risk of transmission and protecting workers and residents, the Department of Health advised employees should choose to work for only one aged care provider, the primary employer in a Single Site Working Arrangement (Arrangement).
Should you volunteer for this Arrangement, then the primary employer will make up the hours that you would normally work at your secondary employer through the offer of equal or similar shifts. Under this arrangement you are expected to work these offered shifts or you must provide a valid reason as to why you can’t. Where you do not work the equal or suitable shifts offered, you will not be paid a makeup pay for hours not worked.
Once you begin working under this Arrangement, you should continue to work at the chosen aged care provide for the duration of the Arrangement period and Whiddon will advise on when this period is due to end. You are also able to pick up additional shifts outside of your usual hours worked at both your primary and secondary employers and you will be compensated accordingly for these additional hours worked.
Personal Leave
Whilst we are extremely thankful that everyone is accepting to work extra hours and additional shifts, it has been brought to our attention that there is an increase in the use of personal leave following overtime shifts and especially after weekends. With this in mind, we ask that you stay committed to also working your original rostered shifts. We are all working really hard to ensure our residents are receiving services but we need everyone to stay committed and work as a team through these difficult times.
We are reminding you that personal leave is only available to be used in the following circumstances:
- Sick leave: when the employee is not fit for work because of a personal illness or injury, and
- Carer’s leave: to provide care and support to a member of the employee’s immediate family or household, who requires care and support because of:
- a personal illness or injury affecting the family/household member, or
- there is an unexpected emergency affecting the family/household member.
At Whiddon’s discretion, documentation/evidence may be requested from you to ensure personal leave was taken for an acceptable reason as above. If it is felt you are misusing your personal leave entitlement you may be subject to further consultation in the matter. It is also expected that you notify your manager directly on Insert number as soon as possible once you realise you will not be able to present for work.
We understand that this is a challenging time and truly appreciate all your efforts, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) who offer free and confidential counselling to you and your immediate family members and they ca be contacted on 1800 818 728, 24 hours/ day, 7 days/ week.
Please don’t hesitate to speak with your manager or contact the People and Culture team on 02 9827 6613.
Sharon Fletcher
Operations Manager