Homecare Working Conditions ‘Abysmal’ Says N.S. Union President
HALIFAX – Jason MacLean does not mince words when asked what working conditions are like for Nova Scotia’s homecare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’d characterize working conditions as abysmal, and working conditions are not consistent across the board,” said the President of Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union.
“Our workers in homecare are heroes. They’re working their butts off and they’re not receiving any of the respect that they should be receiving from the government. They’ve been an afterthought.”
MacLean says these homecare workers are putting their health and safety at risk because they haven’t been given enough protective equipment. He says homecare workers are given one medical mask per shift, which is not enough, especially since homecare workers see multiple clients in one shift.
But masks are not enough to protect homecare workers and their clients, says the NSGEU president. Given the close contact required on the job, MacLean is calling for homecare workers to be given visors to fully protect their faces.
There is a concern in the homecare sector about potential staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. MacLean says there is more demand for homecare support, since hospitals are trying to send home as many patients as possible, and the sector is underfunded at the best of times.
“They operate perpetually short-staffed; they’ve been short-staffed for years,” said MacLean. “This is a neglected field and the government hasn’t paid proper attention to it.”
According to MacLean, there has been a huge lack of communication between the Department of Health and Wellness and the homecare companies in Nova Scotia. The frontline workers, he says, often get vital information late or not at all.
“We had one (company)…send out guidelines from (the previous) week, not the newest guidelines,” said MacLean.
The NSGEU President says some homecare workers are using work-issued phones that are outdated, like old Blackberries. This issue has also contributed to a breakdown in communication.
“When the Department of Health sends directions, all our members still don’t have the proper equipment to get the direction from their employer, if they even send it out,” said McLean.
“Some of the equipment isn’t updated enough to download a pdf that’s sent to them with these guidelines.”
The union is also calling for a reduction in services where possible. Given the risk posed by COVID-19, and how busy homecare workers are, MacLean believes they must prioritize clients who have the most need. Some clients, who require homecare for light housekeeping and other small tasks, can have alternative arrangements for the short term.
“We need to prioritize the work that needs to be done,” said MacLean.
Homecare worker speaks out
A Halifax homecare worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, is also asking for more protections in the workplace. Like MacLean, she believes they haven’t been issued enough protective equipment to keep workers and clients safe from COVID-19.
“We are given one disposable mask to wear for an entire shift: an absolute disgrace and 100 percent unacceptable. No way is this safe or ethical,” she said.
“Being a homecare worker this month has been stressful, to say the least – from the lack of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), multiple clients daily who have seen multiple workers on the same day, clients who still have visitors coming and going, and clients who are scared that I may bring the virus to them.”
She is also concerned about homecare workers visiting multiple clients a day and vice-versa. The more people see each other, the more likely that someone contracts the coronavirus. She believes more should be done by the employers to reduce the risk.
“I just think that at a time like this our scheduling department should be doing everything possible to lower all exposure risks,” said the homecare worker.
“As a homecare worker, I feel very appreciated by my clients but feel the complete opposite from my employer and general public during this situation.”
Huddle Today requested an interview with a representative from the Department of Health and Wellness, but that request was denied. In an email statement, a spokesperson said the government expects homecare companies to ensure the safety of their workers.
“All homecare agencies have infection prevention and control policies and practices. Homecare employers are expected to ensure that homecare workers are trained on these to ensure they deliver safe care,” the statement said.
“Effective April 14, front-line workers in every public and private long-term care home, residential care facility and homecare agency across the province are expected to wear masks to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”