Heritage Care’s Epping Gardens was one of the hardest-hit by Melbourne’s second wave with 220 cases linked to the site – three of which are still active. Now staff are saying they were told to hold off on testing and to keep working while awaiting their test results.
The Age is reporting that it has obtained emails outlining “instructions by management” at the facility to reduce workers’ shifts in the weeks before the outbreak.
One email from 8 May allegedly said: “Rosters attached will reflect some changes, particularly to shift times. ‘NO WORK’ means do not come to work as this shift has been suspended until further notice. Unfortunately, some of you may not be rostered on.”
The paper says it spoke to four former staff who said managers and senior nurses had requested they avoid testing in July if they wanted to keep working.
One worker said most of the staff were Indian, Nepalese or Filipino, and on temporary work permits so could not afford to lose their employment.
The home is currently the subject of civil action in the Supreme Court with Carbone Lawyers leading the class action on behalf of residents, families and staff.
