SYNERGY GROUP NEWSLETTER VOLUME.2 Issue 2

Synergy Group Newsletter Volume.2

ABOUT US IN THIS ISSUE

Synergy Group is part of Challenge Tweed Incorporated an Australian Disability Enterprise ADE based in Murwillumbah Northern NSW. Synergy Group provides people with disabilities the opportunity to create a fulfilling employment career in manufacturing and processing. Synergy Group prides itself on the quality service we provide to all involved.

What We Do

Synergy Group is part of Challenge Tweed Incorporated an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) supported by DSS. We offer 51 people with disabilities employment opportunities and provide ongoing support, training and career development. We provide a supported employment environment for people with disabilities to assist in the operation of a SGS, HACCP and ACO certified organic food manufacturing facility.

Every day we get to work with exciting companies that require our manual labour skills to develop their products which are sold around the nation and some exported.

The Team

Managers, Support Staff & Volunteers

Synergy Group has an amazing and dedicated team of managers, support staff and volunteers that are committed to offering you the best possible experience with Synergy Group. Specialists in their fields we ensure that you are treated with the greatest respect and always aim for the highest outcomes in your goals.

Supported Employees

We are proud that our supported employees enjoy our work environment. People like Craig Read (17 years employment) and still counting know that at Synergy Group we support your changing career goals and encourage external training.

Solutions

How Synergy Group can help you! Pg 2

Employment

Who can work at synergy group and what does it entail? Pg 3

WHS Information on WHS Pg 4

Standards

Each month we will cover one disability services standard. This month is standard 2 Individual Needs . Pg 5

A Message from the Finance Manager Pg. 6

Feature Article

Employment Services Commence transition to new national QA Standards Pg.7

Social Media Recap

A look back at Facebook Posts Pg.8

Do you know what to do if you have a complaint? Pg.9

Challenge Tweed Incorporated t/a Synergy Group

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Synergy Group can help your business with its processing and packaging needs. Our competitive rates, fast turnaround and guaranteed quality service will increase your businesses bottom line.

We take pride in our SGS HACCP & ACO certified manufacturing facilities and operate an environmentally friendly building through our organic compliance.

1. You have the brilliant product, sales are increasing or could be if only you had more time! Do you continue to work long hours 'working on the business and not in the business' or do you contact Synergy Group to solve your problems?

2. Synergy Group can assist you in your production requirements no matter what business stage you are currently in. Our competitive pricing, fast turnaround and quality service will see your profit margin increase. Remember this is about getting you back to selling the product and we can take care of the rest.

3. Processing from a facility that currently holds HACCP & ACO certification you are guaranteed that your product will be produced with the highest standards available. Our team will work with you daily to your specifications and help you increase your businesses product and development. Synergy Group ensures that the fit of business to processor is organic and natural we believe that is what makes a sucess product that the consumer loves...

Solutions

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EMPLOYMENT

Around the Workplace Workers packaging some of the various organic products supplied to Synergy Group

FAST FACTS

100.00% Synergy Group is currently at 90.00% capacity

FOR MORE INFORMATION

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SYNERGY GROUP VISIT: WWW.SYNERGYGROUP.ORG.AU

www.facebook.com/synergygroup.murwillumbah

@synergygroup - Instagram

@synergy_group - Twitter

Synergy Group provides a wide range of employment opportunities for individuals currently recieving the Disability Support Pension.

Synergy Group provides a supported and safe employment environment for you to develop your training and career goals.

We currently have positions available in our food facility, administration department and processing areas.

What we offer

Synergy Group offers all of its employees the opportunity to be employed with an organisation that supports training and career development.

We offer the following career paths:

* Food processing

* Processing and packaging

* Commercial cleaning

* Administration

Your role

Whilst at Synergy Group you are encouraged to challenge yourself.

You will learn all aspects of your chosen career and try new skills whilst supporting the commercial business and its clients.

Synergy Group currently pays under the Supported Employment Services Award.

Training

Each day at Synergy Group is exciting.

Depending which career path you choose training is provided to ensure that you can do your job.

Staff will work with you on a daily basis to enrich your learning and provide all the training you need to get the best possible wage.

External courses through TAFE and online programs are also available.

How do I work at Synergy Group?

If you are currently receiving the disability support pension we would love to meet you.

Contact our office today to arrange a meeting with our team and visit our facilities. We offer a paid work trial so that you can experience this amazing enterprise and start your new career path.

Working together for a cause.

Employment

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Workplace Health and Safety

Know and observe health and safety rules

All employees must be aware of and follow these rules at all times while at work. Working groups have their own specific operating rules and procedures in addition to these basic health and safety rules that must be observed.

Observe warning and safety signs and danger tags.

Keep all safety guards in place. Warning and safety signs, danger tags and safety guards are put there to ensure everyone’s protected from recognized hazards. Do not remove any danger tags until the defective equipment has been repaired or replaced.

Use protective equipment and clothing where required.

Employees have a responsibility to themselves and Synergy Group to use, and properly care for, the personal protective equipment and clothing provided for the performance of duties. Any faults in the condition of any of the equipment should be reported immediately to the supervisor.

Report all injuries.

All injuries must be reported as soon as possible to the supervisor and First Aid officer, within 24 hours, as follows:-Employees are obliged to advise details of work related injuries as soon as possible after the injury occurs. An Incident, Accident and Hazard report should be completed and forwarded to the supervisor and then to the appropriate manager; Supported Employee Development Supervisor or General Manager. Contractors and visitors to Synergy Group must report all injuries and/or accidents to the appointed First Aid Officer who will forward it to the General Manager.

Report all incidents, accidents and hazards.

An essential part of Synergy Group’s OH&S program is to identify and evaluate accidents and near-miss incidents as they occur so the recurrences can be avoided or adverse effects reduced. All incidents, accidents and hazards must be reported on an Incident, Accident and Hazard report and the completed form forwarded to the supervisor.

No Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in the Synergy Group workplace including the building structure and company vehicles. Smoking is permitted in the designated position, this can be obtained from the workplace supervisors.

No alcohol or drug of abuse during work hours.

Employees under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot successfully perform their duties and there is a danger to injury to themselves or others through accidents. Your work requires the maximum degree of alertness and good judgement.

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Standard 2: Individual needs

Getting help that is right for you

Your workplace should help you in the way that is best for you and not just the way that is

easiest for them. They can help you to:

think about your work goals, for example, what kind of work you want, or how

many days a week you can work

• work out a plan to help you meet your goals

• identify and provide training

• follow your plan

• keep your plan up to date.

Standards

SYNERGY GROUP NEWSLETTER VOLUME.2 | Issue 2 6

A message from the Finance Manager

A reminder to all Supported Employees about taking leave and absences: Please ensure that prior to taking annual leave you fill out a leave form and place it in the white box near the sign in sheets for approval. 1 weeks’ notice is required to be given prior to taking leave. If you are away sick please contact the office on (02)66722834, to advise of your absence/s. On returning, please ensure the following is done:

1. Indicate on your timesheet P/L for personal leave or A/L for annual leave, on the day/s you were away.

2. If it was personal leave, ensure a leave form is filled out and placed in the box near the timesheets. If Annual Leave a form should be completed and approved prior to leave being taken.

It is not a given that you are entitled to ‘unpaid’ leave, this needs to be approved. If this is not approved and you take the leave this may be classified as abandonment of employment. Remember, you are obliged to attend work on your scheduled days and times, please let us know as soon as practical if you are ill and unable to attend work. If you need any assistance with this, please do not hesitate to ask.

SYNERGY GROUP NEWSLETTER VOLUME.2 | Issue 2 7

Feature Article

Employment services commence transition to new national QA standards

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) and Disability Employment Services (DES) have commenced their transition to the new

national standards for disability services. The transition period will run for the duration of 2014.

There are six new standards to replace the 1993 version. The new standards focus mainly on rights and outcomes for people with

disability. They are designed to reflect current language, philosophies and the move to individualised supports and service

delivery models in the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The new standards are:

Rights

Participation and inclusion

Individual outcomes

Feedback and complaints

Service access

Service management.

During 2014, employment service providers can choose between the old and the new standards for their QA audits. If they remain

with the old standards, they must show during the transition period that they are preparing to use the new standards from 2015

and should discuss these plans with their Certifying Bodies. Progress towards implementation of the new standards will be

highlighted in the service provider's audit reports.

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Social Media Recap

SYNERGY GROUP NEWSLETTER VOLUME.2 | Issue 2 9

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT?

SYNERGY GROUP NEWSLETTER VOLUME.2 | Issue 2 10

Synergy Group

Newsletter Volume.2

5 Kay Street Murwillumbah NSW 2484