Nov 07, 2024

Diwali Deserters: The Cultural Celebration Shaking Up Aged Care Rosters

Australia’s aged care sector has long relied on the hard work and dedication of New Australians, particularly those from Nepal and other South Asian backgrounds.

Over recent decades, these communities have become the backbone of the workforce, contributing invaluable skills and compassion to care for the elderly. In fact, the percentage of aged care staff from Nepalese and other South Asian countries is remarkably high, making this sector one of the most diverse workforces in the country.

With growing immigration from South Asia, cultural observances like Diwali have gained significant relevance across Australia. Once primarily recognised within South Asian communities, Diwali is now celebrated more broadly, with vibrant festivals and public awareness increasing year by year.

For the aged care sector, however, this has created new staffing challenges. Given the high representation of South Asian backgrounds among carers, Diwali now affects staffing rosters to an extent similar to the impact of Christmas, with many employees seeking leave to celebrate with their families.

Diwali Leave Requests: Mirroring the Challenges of Christmas in Aged Care

Much like the Christmas season, Diwali brings a surge in leave requests as staff wish to spend time with family and partake in religious and cultural festivities.

However, in aged care, where residents require continuous, round-the-clock support, granting every leave request becomes challenging. Not everyone can be given the day off, and rosters must be managed carefully to ensure that care standards are upheld even during significant cultural celebrations.

This scenario mirrors the annual Christmas crunch faced by aged care providers, where a high volume of requests for time off during the holiday season often leads to scheduling difficulties.

Diwali has added a new layer to this, highlighting the need for aged care providers to adapt their staffing models to accommodate the diverse cultural needs of their workforce.

Building Flexible Staffing Models to Support Cultural Inclusivity

With Diwali now having a noticeable impact on staffing, aged care providers are looking for ways to make their rosters more adaptable.

Flexible staffing models can help ensure that care standards remain high while supporting employees’ cultural needs. Here are a few strategies providers can consider:

  1. Advance Roster Planning and Leave Rotation
    • By planning well in advance and rotating leave entitlements fairly, aged care providers can balance the needs of staff and residents alike.A fair leave rotation system can help prioritise leave requests for major cultural events, ensuring that staff members are able to celebrate while still maintaining the necessary care coverage. Just like Christmas, frontline workforce know that they have to alternate working Christmas Day from year to year – Diwali celebrations should be the same.
  2. Utilising Agency and Casual Staff
    • Engaging agency staff or casual workers during peak holiday seasons is an effective solution to cover absences. Agency staff can fill temporary gaps without disrupting resident care, but it is crucial for facilities to partner with agencies that understand the specific requirements of aged care. Establishing regular relationships with these agencies can also ensure continuity, as familiar agency staff become more adept at meeting the facility’s and residents’ needs.
  3. Flexible Work Arrangements
    • Flexible shift options, such as part-time or split shifts during cultural holidays, may help alleviate pressure on rosters. Offering alternative working hours can enable more employees to participate in celebrations without taking full days off, thereby helping to spread staffing resources more evenly.
  4. On-site Cultural Celebrations
    • Incorporating cultural festivities like Diwali into the aged care environment can also support those who may need to work during the holiday. Some facilities hold small celebrations, allowing both residents and staff to join in, which fosters an inclusive environment and strengthens bonds among the team. This approach can also be particularly enriching for residents, providing them with new cultural experiences and moments of joy.

The Importance of Cultural Awareness in Workforce Planning

Diwali highlights the growing importance of cultural inclusivity and adaptability within aged care workforce planning.

While it may not be possible to accommodate every leave request, recognising the cultural significance of holidays such as Diwali and providing avenues for celebration can create a more supportive environment for staff.

Facilities that actively consider their employees’ cultural and religious commitments tend to see higher job satisfaction, leading to improved retention and morale.

For Australia’s aged care sector, adapting staffing models to better support cultural diversity is not just about filling rosters. It’s a commitment to a more inclusive and resilient workplace that respects the backgrounds and values of its workforce.

By learning from the challenges of Diwali and applying flexible strategies, aged care providers can create a harmonious environment where both employees and residents thrive.

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  1. Swap out the Easter, Christmas and NY public holidays. Check the applicable industrial instrument to make sure you can do it. Then we’ll have coverage during other cultural/religious times.

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