Aged care CEO spells out the challenge facing residential care operators over Fair Work Commission wage rise

The CEO of Not For Profit Garden Village Port Macquarie aged care facility, Craig Wearne, has written to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) requesting that all employees who work in aged care be given the pay rise being determined by the Fair Work Value Case.

“Garden Village supports the wage value claim for all employees and asks the Fair Work Commission to include administrative employees, catering and maintenance employees in the work value claim,” Craig writes. His letter states that research has shown that “any unfairness or perceived unfairness can negatively impact workplace productivity, employee engagement and morale, access to talent, and retention.”

Cleaning, maintenance, admin, and catering staff are all essential to the smooth operation of a residential aged care home, yet they won’t be entitled to the FWC’s pay rise. It makes it difficult for providers to build a cohesive workforce when employees are treated differently from each other.