“Over the past two or three years, we’ve continually heard from our members that the amount of time they are given to perform a particular task for a client, like prepare, serve, and clean up a meal, or to get from Client A and Client B, has been reduced,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky.
“Many tell us that because of tight scheduling, they are rushing like never before to give frail and elderly clients a bath. They’re stressed about having to get a disabled client dressed, or use the toilet, in too little time. And the clients feel this stress, this rushing, and it’s terribly hard on them. Workers are telling us they can no longer stop, just for a moment, and double-check that their client is okay. They can’t always make sure the dishes are all washed, that supplies are put back where they belong,” Gawronsky said.
The issue emerged upwards of three years ago, when the union began working with the employer to phase in equivalent full-time (EFT) positions.
Previously, Home Care workers were “casual employees” who rarely knew how many hours they might get in any given week, making it next to impossible to get a simple bank loan. The shift to EFTs has been gradually rectifying this problem, and ultimately, building a more stable workforce.
“But as we were working with the employer to roll out EFTS area by area, the employer also began implementing what’s known as minimum guidelines for scheduling,” Gawronsky said. “In many cases, these new guidelines drastically cut the amount of time a worker is given to care for their client. For instance, instead of 45 minutes to prepare a client’s bath, bathe them, dress them, and generally get them ready to face the day, workers now have 20 minutes. This is simply not enough time to gently and respectfully assist a frail or disabled Manitoban with something as important and as personal as a bath.”
Members began flagging this problem from the outset. In response, the union repeatedly went to the employer to rectify such tight scheduling.
“It seemed obvious to us that this rushing is putting both our workers and their clients at risk,” Gawronsky said. “ But so far we’ve been unsuccessful in getting the RHAs to implement any kind of workable solution.”
The radio ads are meant to ensure the public is aware of how and why Home Care services aren’t what they could be or should be.
“Our members do this job because they care about people,” Gawronsky said. “They just want to put the 'care' back in Home Care."
What Home Care Workers are saying
Hundreds of Home Care workers recently wrote in to their union to describe how services are
suffering due to tight scheduling and how they fear clients may be at risk. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say:
- In 20 minutes, I am expected to heat and serve a meal, stay with the client while they eat, administer medicine, and do the dishes. Ten minutes for travel is built into this time.
- The word “care” is disappearing. My day is go, go, go, and I’m still being asked to fit more clients.
- More and more, clients are being added to the same schedule. I’ve ended up going back on my supper break to finish washing a client’s dishes.
- It takes me 25 minutes to reach my client’s place, 30 minutes to complete my task, and then another 25 minutes to reach my next client. According to the schedule, I’m allotted 45 minutes in total. The numbers don’t add up.
- I am now watching the clock instead of speaking with clients. I want to give them care, but I’m most concerned with getting in and getting out.
- Our clients grew up in an era when they worked very hard and I don’t believe they should be rushed now, at a time when we should be giving back and caring for them. They deserve better.
-There are serious safety concerns for both clients and workers. I rush through my med checks and have little time or energy to engage in civil conversation. I am not only physically exhausted from getting out of the car and fighting traffic so often, but mentally exhausted because each rushed call takes a little bit from you. Sometimes, there is nothing left to give.