More than 35 Strathalbyn aged care home staff suspended, resigned or on stress leave following ‘workplace bullying’

Shocking allegations are emerging from an SA aged-care home, of staff being bullied and suspended without reason – amid a mass exodus.

A number of embattled Strathalbyn aged-care home staff have told of their anxiety to return to or continue work, among a mass exodus of employees on suspensions or stress leave.

More than 35 staff have left Strathalbyn and District Aged Care Facility on suspension, stress leave or resignation in the past six months, current and former employees said, blaming a “toxic” work culture as a key factor.

“Definitely over 35 staff have left in the past six months, four of them have been suspended with no information on what’s happened – two carers and two registered nurses,” a former staff member said.

The Strathalbyn and Districts Aged Care Facility facade. Picture: Google

Among human resourcing shortcomings, the home received a noncompliance notice in July in areas such as personal care, clinical care, services and support for daily living and organisational governance.

A staff member allegedly suspended without fair reason told The Advertiser they had “never been this anxious” while waiting to approach the Fair Work Commission.

They said after being phoned and suspended half an hour before a shift two weeks ago, they were told it would take three weeks to receive an official letter they could take to the FWC.

“People have been suspended without reasons or silly reasons, without any warnings or anything,” the suspended staff member said.

“I know for a fact I did not do anything that would’ve resulted in an incident half an hour before my shift to stand down.

“Everyone speaks highly of me, the residents love me and I will always advocate for my residents no matter what.”

Another staff member, who recently resigned due to the issues at the home, said the residents were suffering.

“Elderly people need the continuity, and they just don’t know who’s coming in next. It’s the residents ultimately that are the ones impacted.”

The staff member allegedly suspended without reason said staff-to-resident numbers “got so bad on some shifts that there was one carer to 24 residents”.

“We’re short-staffed all the time, they’re not replacing staff, they’re putting it all back on us … it’s just a mess,” they said.

Another employee said the stress of working at the home was making them physically sick.

“Staff are going home emotionally devastated. Some are going home crying. Some are going home vomiting. It’s not a happy atmosphere,” they said.

SA United Workers Union public sector co-ordinator, Paul Blackmore, said staff and residents deserve better.

“It’s an indictment on the current understaffing that older Australians are not getting the safety or the care they deserve,” Mr Blackmore said.

“Essential workers such as care staff at Strathalbyn and District Aged Care residential facility deserve secure jobs.”

An SA Health Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN) spokeswoman said 17 carers and registered nurses were hired recently, with six in permanent positions.

”We know that staff recruitment and retention in regional health facilities is a challenge faced across the entire country,” the spokeswoman said.

“We have implemented a number of measures to further strengthen the delivery of care, including providing additional support to staff, exploring new recruitment opportunities, and support from staff at Mount Barker and Southern Fleurieu health services.”

The spokeswoman did not reply to questions regarding formal complaints or why staff left.

The Advertiser revealed last week that 10 staff at the home were suspended after they failed to meet government-imposed statewide Covid-19 vaccination deadlines for workers in the sector.

The BHFLHN spokeswoman said as of Friday last week, out of the 10, four were booked in for vaccinations and two had medical exemptions.

“Additionally, we have had a small number of staff who have decided not to be vaccinated and therefore will no longer be able to work at the site,” the spokeswoman said.

They said 15 people were offered a job at the site to cope with demand, and support was brought in from Mount Barker and Southern Fleurieu healthcare centres.

Strathalbyn and District Aged Care Facility were contacted for comment.