Wellbeing and supporting our people at Crowley
Author: Tony Baldwin
Organisation: Crowley Care
Presenter Contact Details: Phone: 0438685332
Email: tbaldwin@Crowley.org.au
Postal Address: 154 Cherry Street Ballina 2478 NSW
Wellbeing and Supporting Our People at Crowley
The aged care sector continues to experience significant transformation, driven by workforce shortages, regulatory reform, increasing resident complexity, and growing community expectations. Amid these challenges,
workforce wellbeing has emerged as a critical factor in delivering sustainable, high-quality aged care services. This presentation explores Crowley's approach to supporting employee wellbeing and fostering a workplace
culture that values every contribution across the organisation.
At Crowley, the belief that people are the organisation's greatest asset is reflected in both philosophy and practice. Quality aged care is delivered through the collective efforts of multidisciplinary teams, including care staff,
hospitality and hotel services employees, maintenance personnel, administrators, and leaders. Every role contributes directly to residents' quality of life and overall experience.
The presentation examines lessons learned during a period of substantial sector-wide change, While these decisions provided important recognition for many employees, they also highlighted concerns among some hotel
services staff who felt their contributions had not received equivalent acknowledgement. Crowley's response emphasised listening, respect, and meaningful engagement with employees to ensure their voices were heard and
valued.
Moving beyond consultation, Crowley demonstrated its commitment through tangible action, implementing a 10% pay increase for all staff, including hotel services employees, in addition to government-funded wage
increases. This initiative reflected the organisation's broader commitment to fairness, recognition, and workforce support.
The presentation also highlights the importance of workplace culture in promoting wellbeing. Creating environments where employees feel respected, safe, included, and appreciated requires consistent leadership,
supportive relationships, and everyday acts of recognition. Leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering engagement by remaining visible, approachable, and responsive to the realities of frontline work.
Ultimately, the presentation highlights that workforce wellbeing is not separate from quality care—it is fundamental to it. By investing in people, recognising contributions, and building a culture of respect and belonging,
organisations can strengthen employee engagement, improve resident outcomes, and enhance organisational resilience. Supporting staff to thrive remains one of the most important investments aged care providers can
make for the future.