Community Contacts:
- for Filipino workers - Danny Sales 03 315 8688
- for South American workers - Carolina 03 315 8611
- for employers and new migrants - Sharon Davie-Martin 03 315 8508
Housing
It is advisable to use a tenancy agreement and undertake regular house inspections. Sometimes young or single employees can be overwhelmed when they are suddenly caring for themselves, if staff are not eating properly and getting enough sleep then it is difficult to work efficiently therefore it is in everyone’s best interest to meet regularly to ensure all is well, this can be achieved with regular house inspections and by communicating well.
Ensure incoming staff understand whether or not any furniture is supplied with the house.
Ensure working smoke detectors are fitted and batteries are always changed when daylight saving starts or sooner if needed. SMOKE ALARMS MUST NOT BE REMOVED
Some common issues surrounding different cultures are:
- Cooking smells and condensation, open windows and curtains daily, use a range hood if one is fitted. Do no put fat or cooking oil down sink as it interferes with and may block drains.
- Toilet paper should be flushed down toilet but no sanitary items down the toilet; these must be hygienically wrapped and disposed of as rubbish, preferably burned.
- If beds are supplied, use sheets, air regularly and use protective sheets if children are using beds and they may wet.
- Keep lawns mowed and gardens tidy, dispose of rubbish as per farm policy.
- Explain water supply and septic tanks to new immigrants and make sure any special considerations are understood.
- Power and telephone are usually the responsibility of the employee. Discuss the best company to use and how to register.
- Take care in houses with electrical appliances, heaters and fires.
- When moving out of a house the worker must clean the house thoroughly including behind any items of furniture that are remaining. Most contracts/tenancy agreements have provisions for withholding wages if this is not completed to a satisfactory standard.
- BYO- This means bring your own drinks to a gathering.
- Bring a plate- This means to bring your specialty dish for a meal to be shared.
- Pot Luck dinner- This means to bring your specialty dish for a meal to be shared.
- Check your farms policy regarding smoking in the house and workplace.
- Language: It is disappointing for everyone when mistakes are made due to miscommunications, please always ask if you are unsure of instructions, it is better to repeat things many times than make mistakes.
- Some ideas are - Ask employees to repeat instructions and written instructions are gratefully received.
