Home Support Workers Newsletter

Be a part of the solution. We all have a role to play. Take action and submit your completed

Job Analysis Questionnaire!

Joint Steering Committee (JSC)The Joint Steering Committee has now been established. The committee consists of equal representation from Government, Home Support Agency Owners/Managers and Home Support Workers. The members are:

Joint Job Evaluation Committee (JJEC)The Joint Job Evaluation Committee has now been established. The committee consists of equal representation from Government, Home Support Agency Owners/Managers and Home Support Workers. The members are:

What is the Goal of the Pay Equity Program for Home Support Workers?The goal of the Home Support Workers Pay Equity Program is to determine if Home Support Workers working in government contracted home support agencies are undervalued and to determine if any pay inequity exists.

Be involved in making a difference. The Executive Council Office and the Department of Social Development are proud to be able to provide you

with an update on the Pay Equity Program for Home Support Workers.

WINTER 2009ISSUE 1

Who is included in the Pay Equity Program for Home Support Workers?

Home Support Workers DEFINITION: A Home Support Worker is a person employed by a Home Support Agency contracted with the Province of New Brunswick who provides approved home support services to seniors and to adults with disabilities, under the Long Term Care Program or the Disability Support Program. Home activities of daily living and home and family management, but does not include medical, nursing, or rehabilitation services, unless delegated by an extra mural management, but does not include medical, nursing, or rehabilitation services, unless delegated by an extra mural service provider in accordance with professional standards, legislative acts and regulations.

For More InformationVisit the Wage Gap Reduction Initiative website at: www.gnb.ca/wagegapOr contact us at:Toll-Free Line: 1-888-576-4444 E-mail: nbwagegap@gnb.ca

What is job evaluation?A job evaluation is a process that determines the value of a job in order to determine the appropriate level of pay.

Job Analysis QuestionnaireA Job Analysis Questionnaire is a tool used to collect and record data on a particular job. The Job Analysis Questionnaire will provide us with detailed information on job duties and responsibilities, as well as skills, efforts and working conditions. Once the Job Analysis Questionnaires are completed, accurate and up-to-date job descriptions can be developed. This will give the JJEC the ability to evaluate Home Support Worker’s jobs during this Pay Equity JJEC the ability to evaluate Home Support Worker’s jobs during this Pay Equity Program.

ParticipationThe Job Analysis Questionnaire has been developed to give you an opportunity to take an active role in developing an up-to-date and accurate description of your job. In order to get a solid representation of the Home Support Industry, in November and December 2008, 511 of the 3225 employees were invited to complete the Job Analysis Questionnaire. This represents 15% of all Home Support Workers in New Brunswick. The selected Home Support Workers were Support Workers in New Brunswick. The selected Home Support Workers were invited to participate in an information session and were given the Job Analysis Questionnaire to be completed, approved by their Manager and then returned to the Joint Job Evaluation Committee. Participants were given 2 weeks to complete the Job Analysis Questionnaire.

What’s Next?Once all the completed Job Analysis Questionnaires have been received, the Job Evaluation will commence. The Chair of the Joint Job Evaluation Committee will train members on how to develop job descriptions and on the evaluation process. The Home Support Industry will have the opportunity to review the summarized job descriptions based on the responses received from the Job Analysis Questionnaires. The JSC and the JJEC will communicate the method Analysis Questionnaires. The JSC and the JJEC will communicate the method in which this will be done once it has been determined.

Why do we need to do a job evaluation?A job evaluation is required for the following reasons:• Develops an accurate job description• Identifies the required qualifications, responsibilities, effort required and working conditions needed to perform the duties of the job • Identifies and eliminates pay inequities•• A way to maintain fairness• Accurate method of evaluating a job

ProcessHere is an overview of what has happened so far:

• Both committees have met and have developed a workplan and terms of reference.• Committee members were trained on the Job Evaluation Process.• Job Evaluation Methodology has been designed and approved.•• Job Analysis Questionnaire has been developed and approved.• Invitations were sent to selected Home Support Workers requesting participation in completing the Job Analysis Questionnaire.• Information sessions were conducted in all regions of New Brunswick for Home Support Workers who were invited to complete a Job Analysis Questionnaire.