All staff have the right to be safe at work and your employer has a legal duty to mitigate and manage physical and psychological risk to its employees.

In response to the growing concerns of members about safety and culture in the workplace, your organiser Karen Wiles along with HSU member Mark Manns met with Michelle Noland, Chief Executive Officer of Bundaleer.

Bundaleer have commitment to address the issues discussed. Here’s a summary if the issues raised and Bundaleer’s response:

• More training for how to handle and escalate challenging and aggressive behaviours: This is in the mandatory training program as this is a gap identified. This will be prioritised given the delay in face-to-face training with COVID restrictions
• More training for Leadership staff on how to handle situations that have been escalated: This is in the mandatory training program as this is a gap identified. This will be prioritised given the delay in face-to-face training with COVID restrictions
• Care Staff Floaters need to be included in 10am daily huddles: Mgmt. will ensure Care Floaters are included and are fully understanding their role in the huddle (2-way communication)
• Daily huddles need to occur on weekends, not just weekdays: This is an existing expectation. This will be followed up by mgmt.
• Staff feel intimidated by residents who are exhibiting aggressive behaviours and don’t feel they have adequate support to respond: This is in the mandatory training program as this is a gap identified. This will be prioritised given the delay in face-to-face training with COVID restrictions
• Not everyone speaks to everyone in a respectful manner – The Values need to be embedded at all levels of the organisation: Values toolbox talks to be implemented. Leadership Team discuss values at every meeting. More feedback in the moment on behaviours that are below the line
• Staff often escalate concerns to a Manager, but feel it does not go any further or gets actioned: There will be a review of feedback sessions and address expectations at Leadership Team Meeting. Further training on closing the loop for feedback given
• Not working as a team: Face-to-face mandatory training day is designed to incorporate team building. Huddles commenced and continue to be improved.
• Lack of communication behind the “why” we are doing certain things e.g. call bell times: Additional training on effective communication for all leaders 

The plan moving forward is for members to meet with Karen to discuss the response and to decide if Bundaleer is doing enough.

WHEN: This Thursday 9 September afternoon at 3:30pm
WHERE: Zoom 

Click on this link: https://zoom.us/j/91297660502
Or dial in: 02 8015 6011
Meeting ID: 912 9766 0502 

Please feel free to share this newsletter with non-members who are welcome to attend and join on the day.