By Fran Kiernan
October 2015 | 2015 Fall Newsletter
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) care recipient (consumer) is the primary employer of their Independent Care Provider (IP). This role has many important responsibilities, including creating a positive work environment. Building a great relationship with your care provider can be easy, if you maintain a positive and professional attitude.
As a consumer, how you treat your IP will have an effect–either positive or negative–on how well your IP will do their job. Studies show that workers are happier and more productive when working in a stress-free environment. How can you (the employer) create the least stressful working environment for your care provider? Here are some tips:
Start with good communication and mutual respect. These are important building blocks for maintaining a happy, healthy working relationship. Your care provider will have more job satisfaction when they know that you listen to their needs and concerns, and value their hard work.
Conflicts can arise when a consumer doesn’t sign timecards in a timely fashion. As an employer, it is the consumer’s responsibility to sign the timecard when requested by the provider. When a consumer delays signing a timecard, the paycheck for the provider will be delayed. This causes stress for an IP, and can cause feelings of frustration. Delays in completing timecards also negatively affect benefits the the IP receives.
As a consumer, be aware that your IP–just like all of us–has bills to pay, and possibly a family to support. A delay in signing the timecard may have a negative ripple effect, resulting in late payments for rent, utilities, and other monthly bills. Late payments can cause stress and anxiety, not to mention late fees, which may create hard feelings between the employer (consumer) and employee (Independent Care Provider).
So remember, to maintain a long-term relationship with your provider, it is important to communicate clearly, be respectful, and sign timecards when asked.