Second aged care provider pays bonus shortfall

A second local aged care provider has decided to dip into its own reserves to ensure all staff received the equivalent of the Government's aged care retention bonus.

"The team at Peninsula Villages is dedicated to working in a positive environment where all staff are equal and deserving of this bonus," said chief executive Mr Shane Neaves.

He said he was pleased with this decision and felt encouraged that all staff will be recognised for their support to residents.

Last month, Blue Wave Living in Woy Woy decided to pay all its staff on the same basis.

Payments will be made to those who have been excluded from the government bonus scheme, including laundry and maintenance staff, cleaners, reception and administration workers.

It will also be paid to nursing staff who were exclused because their role was predominately administrative in nature.

Mr Neaves said: "The Board is supportive of providing this bonus to acknowledge our great culture and that all staff provide key services and care to our residents, not just those defined by the hierarchy as 'direct care workers'.

"In my eyes as a not-for-profit working in an incredibly tough sector, it's bad form and we're very disappointed that not everyone in our industry is being recognised for their efforts in what has been a really challenging year."

SOURCE

Media release, 16 Sep 2020

Shane Neaves, Peninsula Villages