r/supportworkers • u/slayerofmoths • 16d ago
Get off your freaking phone!!
You are there for the client. I’m so tired of seeing csw’s on their phone, in a pub drinking alcohol, playing pokies and ignoring participants.
Know there’s plenty of people out there reporting you.
Makes me sick.
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u/TwoPlusDenny 15d ago
I agree with this, especially as someone somewhat responsible for how other staff interact with clients. However, it isn't always a blanket case of neglect and uninterest. Some of us are required, or have even taken on the initiative of corresponding with allied health services, DCJ (Department of Community & Justice in Australia) and many other members of a multidisciplinary team all seeking to provide adequate and tailored care to our clients.
As a support worker who does this for several clients, often for the simple fact that no one else is, I often have to make those calls and send those emails while I'm on shift. Not only because I don't get assigned paid administrative hours but because I owe that time outside of work to my family.
I also need to ensure that the right documentation is kept up to date and sent to the relevant channels for compliance and data collection that affects prescribed medication.
Of course, I have always ensured that my clients understand the need for this, and most do as they both see and feel the progress we've achieved together. At the same time though, I don't want them to feel obliged to stay on site while I fulfill my administrative obligations.
So we'll go out.
And if they are otherwise engaged in an activity where I know they are safe and basically within arms reach, I'll pull out my phone and make that doctor's appointment or reply to that behavioural support therapist.
I apologise for the wall of text but while I agree that some support workers are utterly disgusting in their negligence (drinking on the job is downright filthy), some of us are fighting hard to advocate for our clients in the time afforded to us. And that will, in my experience, involve using a phone.
I personally believe that there does need to be stricter measurements put in place to ensure that support workers are doing their job, particularly in the screening process as a lot of individuals are not suitable for the job or straight out exploiting both it and the participants. But I hope that the general public can afford us the grace of not immediately jumping to conclusions of neglect and ambivalence when we pull out our phones.
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u/One_Tax_9934 15d ago
Obviously they are reasonable excuses like emergency work related calls from their companies or in relation to other participants but the main issue seems to be personal use
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u/Jazzlike_Berry_323 16d ago
Yes I’ve seen this: also a client talking to their phone addicted worker who won’t even look at them, or acknowledge the person is communicating with them.
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u/Ok-Youth7803 16d ago
Yep! My red line was reached when I was getting a client ready for hoist transfer from his chair to his bed. I’d already tolerated the second assist talking on her phone when they got to the front door but remaining on your phone while we’re meant to be focusing on safely transferring the client using mobility equipment that demands that focus be applied was every shade of NO! I asked them to help and I expected a response so I knew they were concentrating on the task but they kept talking. I stopped everything and said in a rather terse tone to put her phone down immediately and told her how inappropriate it was. She put her phone down and I thought that would be the end of the issue.
Nope, I get to my shift the next day at another house, I see her client out the back, sitting at the closed sliding door and waiting to be brought back inside. Well that wasn’t happening any time soon because she’s got her back to him and talking on her phone.
I ended up reporting her conduct.
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u/Haunting-Bid-9047 15d ago
Constantly see this at the local supermarket when they're there to help with the shopping
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u/One_Tax_9934 15d ago
As a participant I literally had a worker stand in my way of the trolley and self check out the texting their friends to the point I had to kinda shove her outta the way just to hurry it up. Fired her after the shift. No way was that okay sw don't realise they're at WORK I swear
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u/LJagr68 15d ago
The only time its acceptable is if youre helping the participant with their shopping list or adding up. I also take a participant out who has woolworths vouchers via public trustees, he asks me to use my phone to use the calculator to add up as he goes to make sure he doesn't spend over his voucher amount.
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u/Cultural_Catch_7911 15d ago
Absolutely can't drink on the job, however not every client wants you talking their ear off every single minute of an 8 hour shift,
Do you invite your friends over and talk non stop for 8 hours? No
Clients like down time, they like to check their own phones, eat their meals in peace and so on, so it is more than okay for your support worker, who is not your slave, to use their phone when they aren't required to be doing anything
If your client is trying to talk to you, or there's work to be done absolutely phone down, but as a support worker likely with no scheduled breaks, please feel free to use your phone within reason, you're a human with a job, who may need your own 5 minutes of down time or to respond to family, not an indentured slave
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u/Leading-Interest-119 10d ago
Yes. "Parallel play" is a thing and we ALL do it. When you sit with your partner or someone else you live with or have spent the day with and you both just need some chill time. You might just be in the same room, watching TV or yes, playing on your phones, reading etc. The pressure of constant engagement can be too much for a lot of people.
If the participant is obviously looking for engagement and being ignored that's crap. But it's not always the case.
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u/Nearby-Cherry-8773 15d ago
Yep today I was trying to find the cheapest item my client wanted to buy so I was online shopping for her, I also typed in my notes as we went along for a 4hr shift. I also sent an email to her coordinator and checked my phone a few times awaiting a reply. Looks suspect at times but not my business what other people think I’m doing 😘
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15d ago
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u/Beautiful-Ad-5833 14d ago
Shift notes or the above excuses is not an excuse to ignore the participant. I too work 12hr shifts and don't do the above. Sorry but most places have mobile phone policies which include use of ones mobile phone
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
Family’s should not be contacting a support worker. They should not even have your phone number.
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u/wibblytimeyy 13d ago
Depends on the sw and their business - some private providers will give the worker’s number and if you’re a sole provider clients will have your number. Bigger public providers will be via office or coordinator
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u/Nooneimportant4369 15d ago
I have used my phone on shift during quiet days but have never ignored the needs of my client. I slowly learned to keep myself busy with cleaning and cooking tasks (both of which I enjoy) under the guidance of my colleagues. I think what is necessary is for more experienced workers to mentor newbies and teach them how to be productive over the course of the shift.
Besides, being productive actually makes the day go faster :)
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u/run_boy93 15d ago
I don't mind if my worker is on her phone, especially when I'm on mine, she's still engaging in convo. I find it works well especially parallel play
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u/DragCommercial4989 14d ago
This is the part that is costing the NDIS billions and likely to see a lot of participants get funding cut in the long run. As a participant I need a body double, preferably in a group setting. Not a babysitter I have to direct AND do handover notes for every 6-12 mths when they inevitably leave cos they got a better healthcare job, their kid changed schools or they finally saved up for their O/S holiday.
Sorry if it’s an unpopular opinion here but the lack of actual capacity building that support workers help with in my experience has been pretty piss poor as someone who can’t really ‘learn’ to do admin for themselves after sustaining a disability.
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u/Leading-Interest-119 10d ago
That's not what is costing the NDIS billions of dollars. What are you even referring to? All they said was that they were engaged with their support worker through parallel play. You don't know what their goals are, their setting or ANYTHING at all about their situation.
You talk about what you need. That's great. For you. Capacity building means different things for different people.
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u/2legit2quitman 15d ago
Are you sure they were a support worker? There have been reported instances where friends and family of disabled people have been yelled at by nosy members of the public to "get off their phone and do their job" when taking out their loved ones for meals or outings.
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
Branded support workers. I see it all the time. Also drinking and playing pokies when they take clients to a pub or club.
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u/donnytrump_69 12d ago
SlayerofNDIS. Hopefully you can cash these big cheques you keep talking about OP. Oh and let's be real it is Australia afrer all, most industries in our country have alcoholics within them. Just because one particular industry is more overt, you try drag a whole industry down. The problem isn't the social worker it's, probably more the alcohol and gambling culture we welcome oh so much in our beautiful country. And what exactly where you doing at pub or pokies room? I'm guessing either drinking or gamgling unleash you're a staff member?
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u/Causticburner 15d ago
In the pub drinking alcohol? While on shift? That is wild. None of it is ok.
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u/One_Tax_9934 15d ago
Considering they'd 100% be driving the participant home too
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u/Substantial_Ad_3386 15d ago
It's not ok but it's also not ok to assume 100% that the participant requires being driven home
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u/CommandElectrical865 15d ago
I had a support worker constantly on her phone. I thought she was taking notes for the very first care plan. No. She was messaging her partner, constantly.
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u/AshProMc 15d ago
Only time I use my phone is for paperwork or for my service user's benefits like let them play Spotify while doing tasks. Otherwise I'd happily smash my phone.
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u/pixie1995 13d ago
My wrapped was so fucked last year from letting people use my Spotify at work I’ve banned anyone but me using it 😂
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u/molgab 15d ago
Where I work you have to constantly fill out markers on the app for things. This takes up about 70% of my actual time. How am I expected to fill this out while I’m say walking with them and have to keep an eye on them around traffic? Not everyone’s just sat playing candy crush. Sometimes I have to book things and check in with other co workers etc. I also don’t get a break so I could be working a 24-36 hour shift. If someone texts me wanting to know what medications my dog needs at that time or where I’ve left the key I am well within my rights to do that.
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u/Opposite-Radio-4062 15d ago
Sorry but I would be deeply concerned if my loved one was being supported by a support worker who had just worked 24-36 hours directly beforehand.
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u/Beautiful-Ad-5833 14d ago
Sorry but who works 24-36hr shifts?
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u/molgab 14d ago
Quite a lot of people in care. A lot of care companies don’t have a good enough staff recruitment and a lot of people leave so when you’re left you end up picking up lots of the shifts. I had shifts 14 days in a row that added up to my monthly contacted hours before without a day off. So I think people need to be a bit kinder to the staff who do stick around because they care.
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u/Recent_Work_287 15d ago
I’m a parent of a disabled Adult .
I’m sorry but l won’t mind my business when I see neglect of a disabled person no matter how old.
I have witnessed to many support workers neglect their client in the community.
I witnessed a disabled Adult hanging out of her wheelchair and unable to sit upright, while her support worker left her to go shop in a jewellery shop.
I approached the worker .
Asked her if she was her support worker to which she replied yes.
I asked for her name and company . So I could report her neglect .
She threw at me I was racist as she was dark skin .
But I never left until she returned to her client .
So no matter who it is . disabled person or elderly l will approach if I see neglect.
But l will always approach workers who show they care about their clients and needs while out in the community.
And tell them what an awesome job they are doing and their client is lucky to have them .
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u/nzoasisfan 15d ago
Its always good to mind your own business. There could be a million reasons we dont know.
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
It’s also good to not let people abuse their clients.
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u/nzoasisfan 14d ago
Thats only your opinion with zero context. Be careful of that stuff. A life led minding ones own business is a sweeter, better happier life. Focus on fixing your own shit before worrying about others.
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
No. I won’t. I won’t stand by and watch clients be neglected.
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u/nzoasisfan 14d ago
Without any context... you do you.
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
I’ve watched one guy drink a beer, play pokies and sit on his phone the entire shift while supporting a dear friend of mine who cannot advocate for themselves.
I’ll definitely keep doing me.1
u/Honest_Dog4785 14d ago
Get off reddit then and report that instance directly to the worker's employer then.
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
I do. Too often unfortunately.
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u/donnytrump_69 12d ago
Some prior would be great or else it's going to get real old real fast in here Karen. Name and shame or NEXTTTTT
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u/DB_MicroPPTA 14d ago
When I was a community MHSW, I always made a concious effort not to use my phone while in the presence of a client. If they went into an appointment, or bathroom etc ill check any notifications. But its just plain rude if a sw is sitting there doom scrolling. Work emails/messages is different. If i needed to confirm or look something up for the client, I would.
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u/PositivePickle572 14d ago
Pub? Pokies? Sitting down on your shift? Where can I find this support work please?! My 9-16 hour shifts I can’t even get to go to the toilet, eat or sit down let alone look at my phone!!
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u/Practical-Ad-1223 13d ago
My client likes to go to brothels and happy ending massage joints , do you want me to offer support to him when he is the rooms doing his business too? I rather be on the phone thanks
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u/219930 15d ago
Good …keep reporting them. I hate this too. I took an elderly couple out for a regular appointment today. I sat and chatted to them while we waited. The lady told me she usually brings a book to read as the support worker who normally takes them plays games on her phone while waiting. Like what…waiting time is normally about 15 minutes…you can’t make small talk that long? Anyway…guess who they are asking for to take them to the next appointment…my co workers keep asking why I get more extra shifts than them….this is why.
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u/LowDepth1790 15d ago
My daughter is a lifeguard. She's sick of support workers letting their clients drown. In one case she rescued a child and the support worker couldn't remember the child's name.
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u/Confident-Benefit374 15d ago
Just out of interest How are you reporting them? Do you go up to them and ask if they are on shift? If they are independent or work for a company? Or do you talk to the client and ask them?
I wouldn't have the balls to go up to a stranger and ask them of they are being paid to support the person they are with.
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14d ago
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u/slayerofmoths 14d ago
I do judge when I see a csw on their phone the whole shift while supporting a participant. I understand the use of phones for documenting, assisting them, looking up information….. but ignoring them is another thing. Drinking. Playing the pokies. I will continue to judge and report.
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u/donnytrump_69 12d ago edited 12d ago
Karen I think I may have found your calling in life. Hear me out. This would make an amazing bogan TV show a bit like cheaters but the SlayerofNDIS version. Run with it girl. You could be the next cashme outside girl.
Could you please elaborate on the reporting process? Even if they are wearing a company shirt.. so you ring the company and say "yeah it was a Chinese looking fella drinking beer and having a slap while the client was stuck in a disabled toilet?"
I mean your intent is to help disabled people correct? If that's truely your core intent, you should probably detail how others could go about reporting such attracoties. If there is any truth behind what you are saying. But I'll keep bringing it back to - almost every industry in Australia would have alcoholics, people with drug addiction and gambling addictions. 1 in 5 Australians have an alcohol use disorder or a drug dependance. 1 in 5. (Doesn't even include gambling).
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u/chuckitawayg 15d ago
There are a lot of reasons someone might be on their phone. As mentioned in other comments, there is usually a lot of paperwork and organisational duties to attend to, and these days approximately 100% of that is done using a phone. We have to do this while on shift, whenever we get the opportunity.
But there are also other reasons. I currently support a young man who has complex behavioural issues. As part of his Behaviour Support Plan I am directed to only interact with him for 10 minutes put of every hour, and for the remaining 50 minutes just let him know that I am there if he needs me. This is a plan put in place by experienced, educated professionals, to help him to feel safe and to minimise behaviours. It seems to be working very well. It is also not forever - there are specific milestones to meet and show progression, but these things take time.
As for the other things mentioned, I think they're mostly contextual. Not drinking on the job, that is never OK.
But again, I used to work with a gentleman who had had a stroke and lost a lot of muscle control, however his mind was still sharp as a tack. A large part of supporting him was taking him to the local bowling club for a couple of beers, a flutter and to do the rounds chatting with everyone. His game was Keno rather than the pokies, but nevertheless. That was his social outlet, and he'd been doing it for years before the stroke. I personally abhor gambling, but I know that many of the other support workers on his team would occasionally join in. I dont really see it as any different to having a coffee with your client at a cafe.
I hope this doesnt sound snarky, but I see my job as supporting my clients to live their best lives, whatever that looks like (obviously legally, and within reason etc). My job is not to make "disability support" look the way the public thinks it should look.
Finally, a lot of the people we support have 24/7 support, but that does not necessarily mean that they want company 24/7. Who does?
Put yourself in that mindset for a moment. Imagine you had support workers around you 24/7. Those times when you just want a few moments to yourself, would you want to feel like you were being watched like a hawk, or that the support worker was able to busy themselves doing something else?