AmAble announces closure in upcoming weeks, staff and clients uncertain about future

A major disability support service provider has announced it will be ceasing its operations next week after a recent strike from employees over unpaid wages and super.

Bec Provis, founder of Amable disability support company. Picture: Mark Wilson

A major disability support provider in Geelong has announced its sudden closure after allegations it owes thousands of dollars to support staff.

AmAble, a disability support service established in 2021 by Rebecca Provis, announced they would cease trading from April 25.

Disgruntled workers say they have been impacted financially and emotionally as a result of alleged financial mismanagement.

In an email seen by this masthead issued on April 5, The Chief Financial Officer, Danni Frecklington apologised for the lack of communication.

The email said “the last couple of months have been an incredibly stressful and exhausting time”.

“There are a variety of issues contributing to the issues,” the email stated.

“Superannuation is a legal entitlement that must be paid accordingly and we would not withhold or prevent the payment of this entitlement for any reason.

“It is important to clarify that there has been no intentional withholding or attempt to cause harm distress”.

In a message to staff, Ms Provis, the CEO announced her resignation on Friday in a group chat.

“Unfortunately it has come time for me to move on AmAble and have tendered my resignation as CEO,” the message said.

“Yesterday at our board meeting, it was also decided that AmAble is going to be wound up and cease trading from April 25.”

A number of employees decided to strike on April 5 because of the issues with payments.

One employee described upper management as “completely dysfunctional” and said she has suffered significant financial and emotional stress.

The employees of AmAble would be paid every fortnight, however, it is alleged numerous employees would be paid a week later, or a few days later after they were supposed to be paid.

It is understood some employees are owed thousands of dollars in unpaid wages as well as superannuation.

One employee said she hasn’t been paid in over a month and was struggling with food and bills.

“I haven’t experienced stress like this before. The financial stress is horrible…it’s a horrible feeling,” she said.

“I have been choosing not to go to the supermarket and trying to make do with what we have at home.”

The employee also alleges that the company would use their clients’ distress to guilt her into doing shifts when she wasn’t being paid.

“I’m already distressed that I can’t be there for my clients,” she said.

“My concern is the clients, because supporters are so important for them and just the way AmAble has gone about this, is evidence that they don’t care”.

Another former employee said things started to unravel in late December and claims she wasn’t paid for three weeks during the Christmas and New Year period.

She said the company would often provide excuses.

“The last four months have been getting to the point where it’s absolutely ridiculous, and we are not getting paid for two weeks, and we were a pay slip behind,” the employee said.

“It was getting to a point where it was three weeks, and even four weeks before some girls got paid.

“I couldn’t go through the financial distress I was under constantly. I don’t think they understand how hard it has been for staff to live comfortably.”

The AmAble chief executive officer and founder, has been contacted for comment.

The Geelong Advertiser is not suggesting the allegations are true, only that they should be investigated.

Originally published as AmAble announces closure in upcoming weeks, staff and clients uncertain about future