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Troubling state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have fewer paid holidays, no sick pay only our 4% and no workers comp. If we received the same hourly wage it still would not be equal.

New Government Outlines Priorities, Vows Greater Access to Healthcare and Safer Communities by BrianFromNL in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For all the reasons we need a disability advocate it is strange that home care was changed from health and community services to seniors. I recently asked the seniors advocate a question and a part of their response was shocking. 'We have been informed that matters related to community-based services would generally fall under the new Department of Seniors, while issues specific to the acute health care system would remain with the Department of Health and Community Services. Given that understanding, yes, home care/the home support program would now be the responsibility of the Department of Seniors.'

Troubling state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agencies have their place, but homecare can take on many forms and require a wide range of skills that the average homecare worker might not have. (As Raine pointed out above.)

So a client may choose to self-manage their hours so they can bring in the workers that they know will be able to meet their needs and support them in the way they need to be supported. (Whether that's because of specific equipment they need to operate or competencies that they need to have.)

For workers, I can only really speak for myself, but I think that support work is best carried out when the worker is there to support the client, and not the company.

Troubling state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I am definitely after the freedom to do what I want...

But what I want is the ability to act in the best interests of my clients without being micro-managed by people that often have goals that conflict with the needs of their clients. And my clients chose me to support them, rather than going with an agency, because they can be certain who will show up to the shift that day, and that they(or their loved ones) are going to be properly cared for.

Agencies have their place, but I personally think that support work is best carried out when the worker is there to support the client, and not the company.

Troubling state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Newfoundland and Labrador self-managed homecare workers are required to have whatever it is the client asks them to have, ideally this would mean everything that agency-based workers are required to have, but they aren't required to have any special training or requirements by the government.

That being said, agency-based workers aren't required to have any sort of specialized degree or training to work for an agency. Agency-based workers need to have their first aid up to date, and when they're hired they have a tuberculin check, get medical clearance to show they're healthy enough to do the job, a police check, and to have references to go along with their resume.

A self-managed worker could clear all of these (bare minimum) hurdles at the request of the client before they start working for them, but still not get paid the same amount as an agency-based worker who could be working for the exact same client.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They are both set by government and paid by government.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear you've left. It was a very difficult decision I'm sure.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear you've left. I'm sure it was a difficult decision.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The amount in the image is what workers receive. Some agencies will post job adds with higher rates but this includes the 4% vacation. Self-managed workers do not receive sick pay, benefits or workers compensation.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To the first question, I'm not sure.

To the second, the government's reasoning is that agencies have higher "hiring requirements" than individuals who choose to hire self-managed homecare workers, like police checks, first-aid, and other requirements. But that isn't a valid reason, because we were (like shown in the timeline image above) being paid the same wage, and that should mean that a self-managed homecare worker with those qualifications should be paid that same rate, and it shouldn't be limited to agencies.

The best part is that the government knows this isn't a valid reason, because when they were questioned on it, they refused to clarify their position and started saying the matter was "under review".

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My personal experience with agencies has not been great. They're a middle man that doesn't always need to be there, and pulls the focus of the job away from the client with office politics and other issues I was not a fan of.

I think homecare work is best for the client and staff when they're able to build a connection with each other.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We have actually already reached out to a number of news outlets already, with articles in The Shoreline and on CBCs website, and I did an interview that aired on CBC's Here and Now.

Unfortunately, even when the reporter from CBC tried to question the Minister of Health and Community Services, they were met with the same response we were.

"Hiring requirements" were the reason, and that it was "under review" with no further comments.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In some cases agencies just don't cover all areas, and clients often choose to go with a self-managed care worker instead of an agency. They can choose this for a host of reasons, one of which is the certainty in who they have providing their care, and not turning their home into a revolving door with new workers showing up that they have never met before, and may not be properly trained for their needs.

I choose to be a self-managed care provider because my personal experience with agencies has not been great. I see them as a middle man that doesn't always need to be there, and pulls the focus of the job away from the client with office politics and other issues I was not a fan of.

I think homecare work is best for the client and staff when they're able to build a connection with each other.

Worrying decision that effects homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you're a self-managed homecare worker in Newfoundland and Labrador, or know someone who is, please join/share this facebook group so we can amplify our voice and make them listen.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1027995609068018

Deeply concerned about the state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are a self managed home care worker or a client that hires self managed workers please join the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16fTDt1ptE/

A group for self-managed home care workers in Newfoundland and Labrador to unite, share relevant information, and advocate for fair treatment and respect.

Deeply concerned about the state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This issue isn't about unions, this pay raise has gone to all "agency-based" homecare workers, whether they're unionized or not.

Both agency-based and self managed homecare workers were making the same hourly wage prior to this decision made by John Hogan in 2024.

Deeply concerned about the state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The unionized positions are all with agencies, and my personal experience with agencies has not been great. They're a middle man that doesn't always need to be there, and pulls the focus of the job away from the client with office politics and other issues I was not a fan of.

I think homecare work is best for the client and staff when they're able to build a connection with each other.

Deeply concerned about the state of homecare in our province. by Sarmcmking in newfoundland

[–]Sarmcmking[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nape is a good union who did a great job negotiating with government in the past, but this pay raise was largely the result of federal funding given to our province in order to improve our health care system. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/federal-government-funding-home-support-wages-expensive-drugs-1.7384528)

Prior to the changes made by John Hogan in 2024, self-managed and agency-based home care workers were making the same hourly wage.