BaptistCare CEO's tribute to staff
BaptistCare CEO says Aged Care Employee Day is a timely reminder of the commitment of hundreds of long-serving staff
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05 August 2022
News
| BaptistCare
BaptistCare CEO Charles Moore says Aged Care Employee Day on August 7 is a timely reminder of the commitment of hundreds of long-serving staff caring for older Australians in NSW and the ACT.
Mr. Moore says unprecedented staff shortages and the pressures of the pandemic mean staff have never worked harder as they care for older people living independently at home and in aged care homes.
"We have outstanding people at BaptistCare who have been working in this sector for decades. They have never seen anything like this, and I'm just so grateful they're turning up, night and day, to continue providing this vital care to older Australians."
"Our staff work in varying degrees of PPE, and they're tired. They've been doing this since March 2020. They've had annual leave cancelled. They're going home and barely recuperating before they're back on shift again. They're caring for unwell children, or sick themselves and unable to work."
Despite those difficulties, Mr. Moore is optimistic about the sector's future.
"BaptistCare is putting an unprecedented amount of effort into recruitment. We recognise that aged care can offer great flexibility. We're working with TAFE to provide on-the-floor training opportunities."
"It's great to see the commitment made by the new Labor government to support and fund the recommendations of the current Fair Work review of minimum wage in aged care."
However, Mr. Moore says urgent changes are needed.
"Something that will make a difference is the reclassification of aged care workers under quarantine rules to allow for more skilled migration into the sector in the short term."
Remarkably, twenty percent of BaptistCare's home care and residential aged care staff have worked for the organisation for more than ten years.
Mr. Moore says the passion and commitment of aged care workers are incredible.
"I really do want to take a moment to call out the hardworking people across BaptistCare, and the broader sector who show up and work really hard day in and day out to ensure older Australians receive the care and respect they deserve."
BaptistCare was recognised in the Australian Financial Review Boss Best Places to Work list for 2022, coming first in the Government, Education, and Not For Profit Category. The organisation has also earned plaudits for its employee assistance program, Flourish, and its response during COVID-19 in supporting staff across the organisation.
Mr. Moore says that kind of recognition matters to BaptistCare.
"It's not enough to be listed as a great place to work if we don't keep evolving and improving our people-first approach. This is a journey for BaptistCare. In addition to further initiatives in the works, the ongoing voice of our employees matters greatly. It will be a driving force as we continue to generate an employee experience everyone is proud of."
Across NSW and the ACT, BaptistCare has vacancies in its home care and residential aged care services. Anyone passionate about working with older people is welcome to visit baptistcare.org.au/careers to learn more.