2011 – An Opportunity to Succeed in the Retrenchment Aftermath
2009 and 2010 were both challenging years for many businesses, but especially for those electing to retrench staff on account of financial difficulties. For these employers, 2011 could be an even tougher year as they struggle with the task of retaining staff and keeping them motivated under an increased workload.
“I have seen numerous clients struggling with an increase in absenteeism, sick leave, low morale and a decrease in productivity and work quality” says Zelda Pieters, Director of HR Inspiration. “Employees are really feeling the effects of retrenchment and as a result, clients are facing further skills losses as employees elect to find other, less stressful jobs”.
Despite the challenges businesses face right now, it is vital to keep employees motivated and productive in order to help ensure the stability and success of the company.
Recognise the Signs
Zelda recommends that HR and management keep an eye out for signs of burnout within themselves and their employees.
Signs of burnout include:-
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Negative attitude
- Moodiness
- Agitation
- Rapid heart rate
- Frequent illness
- Increase in substance abuse
- Nervous habits (nail biting, pacing, rapid speech)
Open Door Policy
An open door policy will let employees know that they can confide in management if they are experiencing problems. Not all employees will feel comfortable about approaching management directly however, so making a point of personally checking in with staff members regularly, will help you to provide them with the support and recognition they need.
“If employees feel that you are interested in their wellbeing, it boosts their confidence in the company” says Zelda. “Ask the employee how they are coping and let them know that you appreciate the contribution they are making and the stress they are under. This will also provide you with the opportunity to recognise problems and pinpoint interventions that will keep the employee healthy and motivated”.
Ongoing Motivation
Motivational strategies needn’t cost the earth. Consider giving staff some time off to rest and recuperate – this could be a few hours off once a month, or on a Friday afternoon. In-house morale boosting activities can include team sports, games, healthy outdoor activities, weekly motivational meetings or talks, or a ‘bring and braai’. These interventions will inject fun into your employee’s lives and build positive morale.
Although 2011 will be a challenging year for many companies, the opportunity to build the foundation for stability and success by retaining the skills you have using a supportive and motivational approach will benefit both employer and employee not only in the long term, but in the short term too.
Companies experiencing the effects of retrenchment and other HR challenges are invited to contact Zelda Pieters, Director and registered Industrial Psychologist of HR Inspiration for further guidance or a one-on-one consultation. Please contact her telephonically on +27 21 930 9022 or via email at zelda@hrinspiration.co.za. Visit our website to view our complete range of services. www.hrinspiration.co.za
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New subsidised technology to protect SA’s low-income elderly and incapacitated
A collaboration between the Western Cape Department of Social Development, Dementia SA, Helderberg Stroke Support Group and TeleCare™ Solutions has seen the launch of a pilot project to test a technology that is hoped will revolutionise how we protect and support our elderly and incapacitated persons.
The majority of South Africa’s elderly and people living with critical health conditions fall within the lower to middle income bracket and cannot afford medical aid, care-givers or to live in facilities such as retirement villages or nursing homes.
Elderly persons vulnerable
“We notice that older persons in communities who live on their own are often not part of a community structure – this leaves them particularly vulnerable in terms of their health and safety” says Mr. Charles Jordan, Acting Director of Special Programmes - Western Cape Department of Social Development.
“We are very worried about this situation and have been looking for a way in which older persons living on their own can get access to help quickly”.
Described as a service that brings health and social care directly into the patient’s home environment using information and communication technology, TeleCare™ is a proven healthcare and security solution with a 30 year track record in Europe.
“Over 3 million elderly in Europe rely on TeleCare™ to keep them living independently within their homes. In most cases TeleCare™ is subsidised by European governments based on the individual’s income” says Anton de Beer, MD – TeleCare™ Solutions.
“Apart from saving lives, TeleCare™ has been proven to reduce the number of avoidable admissions to hospital, improve the delivery of health care, reduce pressure on both formal and informal care-givers and significantly improve quality of life” says Anton.
As part of the 1 year pilot project which will monitor the efficiency of TeleCare™ in South Africa, 25 elderly victims of dementia or stroke living alone within underprivileged communities from the Helderberg municipality (Western Cape) recently received their CareStation™, Personal Response Trigger and BuddyBand™.
The CareStation™, which is the device that enables the TeleCare™ service, is linked to a standard telephone line in the home and it can also use a GSM router (cellphone technology) if there is no telephone line. It provides 3 panic buttons on the console that can be used to access health information, or call for help – either to the pre-programmed number of a family member or to the TeleCare™ Solutions 24/7 response centre. Each recipient is also supplied with a waterproof Personal Response Trigger that can be worn on the wrist or as a pendant around the neck and which will connect with the response centre when activated within a 200m radius of the CareStation™.
Access to help in 60 seconds
For this pilot project, the CareStation™ buttons are linked to the ER24 24/7 helpline, the TeleCare™ Solutions 24/7 Response Centre and the Department of Social Development 24/7 call centre. The personal records of each recipient is stored at the TeleCare™ Solutions 24/7 Response Centre and in the event of a panic alert, a trained Care Specialist will respond to the call within 60 seconds and dispatch help according to the individuals needs.
In addition, all recipients have been provided with a BuddyBand™ which is a unique identification bracelet, featuring their individual membership number and the TeleCare™ Solutions Response Centre number. Should an emergency occur outside of the home (exceeding the 200m radius of the CareStation™), the wearer can be identified through the bracelet and help summoned via the TeleCare™ Response Centre.
“When a person has a stroke, they need to get to a hospital within 3 hours in order to survive. With a 60 second turn-around time from the panic alert to contact with the Reponse Centre, TeleCare™ will benefit the victims of stroke enormously – especially for those who live alone and can’t afford care-givers” says Loma Coleman, Director - Helderberg Stroke Support Group.
Calling on Corporate’s for sponsorship
TeleCare™ Solutions, the Western Cape Department of Social Development and NGO’s would like to call on corporate’s to help fund future TeleCare™ projects, or sponsor the provision of the TeleCare™ service to individuals within vulnerable communities across the country.
“My husband, who is 82 years old, and I (72 years old) live by ourselves. The children aren’t close-by so we are alone virtually all the time. We feel much more at ease now that we have TeleCare™ because if we have any kind of problem, there is someone who we can talk to, who knows everything about us, and who can help us immediately. We are not really alone anymore. This is a very good thing” says Mrs Belchem, TeleCare™ Pilot Project Recipient -Sir Lowry’s Village
“At Dementia SA, we are very excited about this project, because it will bring a higher level of dignity and peace-of-mind to our patients as they will now be able to live independently in a safe and familiar environment” says Karen Borochowitz, Executive Director - Dementia SA
Anton and Charles hope that the TeleCare™ intervention will not end with this pilot project, but will be implemented throughout the Western Cape. If it is true that a society can be judged by how it treats its elderly and sick, then the Western Cape is certainly leading the way by bringing quality care to its elderly and vulnerable residents.
For further information or queries regarding participation in these projects, please contact Anton de Beer via email at anton@telecare.co.za or telephonically on 0861 633 644
TeleCare™ Solutions services are suitable for anyone that is vulnerable or living alone. TeleCare™ Solutions has been deployed throughout numerous retirement villages across South Africa and has made a positive difference to the lives of elderly persons living alone and families living on remote farms throughout the country. Other projects managed by TeleCare™ Solutions include a Fall Awareness project which aims to educate elderly and their care-givers, thereby reducing casualties and saving healthcare cost. For more information about how TeleCare™ Solutions can assist you, please visit www.telecare.co.za.
