Unfortunately I am often out of sync with my peers and betters.
Wage subsidy and the promotion of wage subsidies as a method to increase the employment of people (and I include people with disability) would be an example of such.
Before I press on – have you ever come with a subsidy? I have not and therefore it occurs to me that I lack the experience to be able to offer valid first hand comment – nevertheless, in the 36 years I have contributed taxes, and for any and each employer that has paid me, I have never attracted a subsidy.
I just got paid, and I hope sincerely that I have always earned sufficient to enable my employer to profit from that work. Because that the way it works: I employ you, pay you $10 and you make me, or save me, more than that.
So why a subsidy?
My opinion (and that’s what this blog is about) is that this comes from a philosophical stance: that the recipient is not deemed to be of sufficient worth to allow for the relationship that I have described. In relation to the employment of people that have a disability I find this concept particularly troubling – surely, if such a person is going to be able to escape the misconception that they are a burden or of less value than their non disabled peers (perceptions that create what Wolfensberger describes as ‘wounding’ experiences) then surely a subsidy risks devaluation of individual worth?
Many years ago and in a rush of ill considered enthusiasm (and possibly less faith or experience with my products value) I became caught up with a scheme that offered employers $7,000 to hire from a range of disadvantaged groups.
A much wiser Penrith business owner pulled me up: “Son, I don’t care if you give me $70,000, if the bastard can’t do the job he ain’t worth having here” And he was right.
The issue centres on ability – and if NOVA candidates have or can develop the ability to create the equation described above (make their boss a profit) than they will gain and retain employment.
Subsidies have only a minor effect upon the creation of opportunity (at least in every study I have read) and perpetuate an inaccurate perception of validity or worth about disadvantaged employees and can be particularly demeaning and damaging to their recipients.
That's not to say that NOVA never uses wage subsidy - sadly an environment has created in which some employers pretty much demand government cash. However, I am proud of the fact that we rarely* resort to this approach, preferring to market on individual ability and our own post placement support as the offset for any initial productivity issues.
Personally, I remain staunchly opposed.
* 6 NOVA outlets have not used a subsidy in the past 12 months , 6 have used subsidies twice or less.
(Whoops! – Don’t Google ‘subsidy’ – you get a rival DES provider! )
Would you like a face-to-face meeting with Martin via Skype? Click the button below to make an appointment
Subscribe to this Blog - blog.novaemployment.com.au Copy the link above and paste it into your favourite Reader to subscribe to an RSS feed of this blog. To watch a short video explanation of RSS and how it helps you save time reading the web click here
Your Comments There are currently no comments on this article
Previous Posts
Welfare Benefits and Health
It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's truer that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power: David Brin
DES providers don't need nor should they have been given the authority to suspend welfare benefits (see above)....
Disgusting!
Disgusting!: https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2019/07/ndis-data-drop-reveals-severe-employment-gaps/
I have spoken previously on, to quote former President Bush, 'the soft bigotry of low expectations' - if you are a member of a marginalised group the public don't expect much and are surprised when anything much is achieved!
I've been in this game for more than 30 years and have been privileged to see literally thousands of terrific men and women leave NOVA To gain (and retain) great jobs....
Goodness me!
Goodness me!
Read this article: https://www.smh.com.au/national/no-lights-no-linen-how-alex-survived-for-six-years-on-newstart-20190717-p5284q....
Changing Attitudes
One of the hardest things to do is change a person's attitude - if they are favourably disposed to you, all's well and good - if someone holds a contrary view it's an uphill battle to change a mindset....
Retention Retention, Retention!
Just when you thought things couldn't get any better, something comes along that causes you to stop and to reconsider the way your business is conducted....
Properly Caring
Much is made about the easy life enjoyed by people on welfare - we've all seen the 'news' items that show flagrant abuse of the system with welfare recipients engaged in employment or other activities that conflict with the obligation to inform Centrelink of change in status or simply as a means of defrauding the Commonwealth....
2 Things
2 Things:
First:
About the middle of February I wrote: i. "NOVA Needs You!
We are presently engaged in a very significant recruitment drive and are particularly keen to hear from folk with disability and/or sales experience to join our team of Employment Consultants - THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB - you need to be resilient, self sacrificing and have stacks of smarts and even then we only take the best....
We're struggling!
NOVA Needs You!
We are presently engaged in a very significant recruitment drive and are particularly keen to hear from folk with disability and/or sales experience to join our team of Employment Consultants - THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB - you need to be resilient, self sacrificing and have stacks of smarts and even then we only take the best....
Extraordinary Results
When Government Star Ratings seem designed to celebrate the ordinary, it is a pleasure to be able to share a terrific piece of selfless effort on behalf of others....
Whats wrong with Employment Services II? What's wrong with Employment Services II
My mum used to frequently admonish my brothers and I with the words, 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again'....
Whats wrong with Employment Services? There's rumours of a shake-up in the Job Active program - word is, the program isn't making a real difference and employers don't like it!
There's plenty of evidence to suggest that, despite the best intent of Government and funding body, the Disability Employment Service (DES) is similarly in the doldrums....
I need you! Comrades
NOVA needs you - we are very keen to enlist new members of our organisation.
Here's what you need: the patience of Job, the strength of the Hulk, the wisdom of Solomon and a selfless devotion caring for the needs of others worthy of Mother Teresa....
Tragic Loss People with Disability lost a true champion last Wednesday with the unexpected passing of a truly great man, the Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Australia and a dear friend Mr Paul Cain....
Fair Warning
I'm giving fair warning of my intention to expose examples of the current DES-ESS contract's exploitation.
I have written to the Commonwealth expressing my concerns about clear manipulation of the present contract....
Fundamentals
The new contract for Disability Employment Services (DES) will not bring performance improvement.
Government will scratch it's head, blame the economy, blame people with disability, talk about educating employers and spend money on consultations before coming to the conclusion that people with disability must meet more stringent 'mutual obligations'....
100%
Each year, around about the International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) NOVA Employment holds a formal graduation for students that have participated in our pre-employment programs....
Profiting from poverty
Profiting from Poverty
I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment....
New Contract but no change!
New Contract but no change!
Today marks the first day of a new Disability Employment Service (DES) contract.
There are new players and new rules....
Administrative Overload
'It's nice to be busy' and 'busy is better than idle' and all of my mum's other sayings about work being good for you, and all of them said; we're drowning!
The administrative burden of a new Disability Employment Service contract (starts July 1st) and the mountains of paperwork required for an NDIS dollar (approximately 10X that of the former TTW program) has seen us add 3 extra staff to the admin team and we are still receiving a large volume of enquiries that are causing us some time delay in getting back to folk....
Podcasts I've been learning all about Podcasts (I suspect that this may be a long road!)
However, getting paid to be inspired is not the worst way to spend a Monday afternoon and that is just how my day has gone....
Subscribe to this Blog