Striking the Balance: Service User’s Home or a Workplace?

A Work Place or a Home ?

Balancing the needs of service users with the rights of employees is a delicate challenge in care settings. For those receiving support, their environment is their home—a place of comfort, independence, and personal space. However, for care staff, it is also a workplace, governed by employment rights, health and safety regulations, and professional responsibilities. Striking the right balance between these two perspectives is essential to creating a harmonious, safe, and respectful environment for all.

The Importance of Home for Service Users

A home is more than just a physical space; it is a sanctuary where individuals should feel safe, respected, and in control. For service users, particularly those with disabilities, mental health conditions, or additional needs, maintaining a sense of home is crucial for well-being. A stable, supportive, and personalised living space promotes independence, dignity, and a sense of belonging.

A home-like atmosphere also encourages personalisation—allowing service users to make choices about their daily routines, decorations, and social interactions. This level of autonomy can significantly impact their mental and emotional well-being, leading to improved quality of life.

The Workplace Perspective

While service users need to feel at home, care environments are also professional workplaces where staff have rights and responsibilities. Employment laws ensure fair treatment, reasonable working hours, and protections against workplace hazards.

Care staff require clear boundaries and expectations to perform their roles effectively. They must be able to report concerns, receive adequate training, and work within a structured environment that prioritises their safety and well-being. Without this, burnout, stress, and turnover rates can increase, ultimately affecting the quality of care provided to service users.

Balancing Home and Workplace Needs

To ensure both service users and staff thrive, a careful balance must be struck. It is the view of the union that there must be an equal emphasis on the homes as workplace. They must be safe, have relevant safety features and still provide you with what you need while at work. This includes secure areas for your personal belongings, house design that facilitates an emergency escape when required and the locking away of potentially dangerous items in some circumstances i.e sharps in the kitchen.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS // Send your feedback to luke@nupe.org.nz

- What safety features do you seek in your home?

- Do you think your employer has the balance right between the home being a workplace and a home for service users?

The challenge of balancing the home-like environment service users need with the structured workplace care staff require is complex but achievable. By fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, clear communication, and well-defined policies, both parties can benefit. When service users feel at home and staff feel supported, the overall quality of care improves, creating a positive and sustainable living and working environment for all.

An Ongoing NUPE Discussion.