Inclusive Employer Case Study: Helping Hand

DCA 2024-2025 Inclusive Employer Case Study Helping Hand

Inclusive Employer 2024-2025: Helping Hand

Established in 1953, Helping Hand is a not-for-profit organisation with a proud history of offering help and support to older South Australians for over 70 years.

Helping Hand provides residential care, home care services and retirement living accommodation across metropolitan and regional South Australia in more than 20 locations. Helping Hand has over 2,200 staff and supports over 4,000 older South Australians to live their best lives. They are one of Diversity Council Australia’s 2024-2025 Inclusive Employers.

See the 2024-2025 DCA Inclusive Employers

Helping Hand: Everyone is welcome

At Helping Hand, we believe in creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. Our D&I journey reflects our core values of respect, compassion, community, and excellence, guiding us as we strive to create an inclusive environment for all.

We started our journey by assessing the work already happening within our organisation. We recognised our longstanding commitments, such as supporting Forgotten Australians, advocating for LGBTQI+ rights through our “Everyone’s Welcome” statement, and providing assistance for women who make up 80% of our workforce. Our involvement in community events like “Picnic in the Park” and the creation of support programs and policies such as our Family and Domestic Violence Leave were also key milestones on our path.

In 2022, we took our efforts a step further by forming a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Steering Committee. This group helped us develop a comprehensive DIB strategy and action plan that was adopted by our organisation.

Helping Hand employees smile at the camera. They are wearing office wear or health sector uniforms and are standing in an office.

To shape our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy, we relied on a mix of data and feedback. We examined our workforce demographics, assessed client needs, and looked at industry benchmarks. We also conducted surveys to gather insights from our employees, clients and engagement groups. This thorough approach helped us identify the key areas of diversity we wanted to focus on.

We’re proud of the following strides we’ve made toward fostering a more inclusive workplace.

  • Inclusive Induction Programs: New team members learn about our expectations regarding behaviours and the importance of diversity, empowering them to contribute positively from day one.
  • Trauma-Informed Care: We’ve developed specialised programs to support Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers, equipping our staff to help those with complex histories.
  • Employee Resource Group: This voluntary group meets bi-monthly, allowing team members from various departments to share ideas and insights, which helps us continually improve our inclusive practices.
  • Gender Pay Gap Initiatives: By regularly updating our procedures and conducting annual pay reviews, we’ve successfully reduced our gender pay gap year after year.
  • Data-Driven Insights: We’ve improved our data capture and reporting of employee diversity so we can tailor our strategies to our workforce.
  • Employer Value Proposition: In consultation with our staff, we developed a new employer value proposition that clearly articulates our inclusive culture and how everyone is valued at Helping Hand.

The impact of our D&I initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive. Our diverse team is genuinely passionate about supporting both clients and each other. Team members have embraced our D&I efforts, fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration.

Our quarterly employee engagement survey revealed that 87% of staff recognise and support the importance of D&I in the workplace. One staff member captured this sentiment beautifully: “I feel respected and appreciated when I work at Helping Hand. We all work well together. Being in an encouraging environment creates a safe space to ask questions and seek help.”

A group of employees stand around a table celebrating a special occasion. There are part decorations and sweets. They are smiling at the camera.

This inclusive culture not only boosts employee morale but also enhances overall team performance and the quality of care we provide to our residents. Our recognition as an inclusive employer for two years further validates the effectiveness of our strategies.

At Helping Hand, our commitment to diversity and inclusion forms the very fabric of our organisation. By nurturing an inclusive workplace, we’re enhancing our culture, improving employee satisfaction, and setting an example for inclusivity in the broader community.

Our journey shows that with the right strategies, dedication, and collaboration, organisations can make significant strides toward a more inclusive future. We’re excited to continue this journey, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

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