CASE STUDY 3 - JOAN Joan is a new, Aboriginal carer at Elise's service. Lately Joan has had a couple of days off work, and has
also had a few days where she has started work later than others in her team.
Hani, another carer who is also one of Elise's good friends, begins to gossip about Joan at lunchtime. She
says that Joan excludes herself because she is always so quiet and avoids eye contact with people. Hani
doesn't like the fact that Joan is new but gets special treatment - no one else comes in late and takes time
off, especially in their first two months at a new job!
Elise is not impressed by Hani's behaviour and decides to remove herself from the lunch group. She
instead begins to spend some of her lunchtimes with Joan and some different carers. She learns that Joan
takes time off to help with the care of one of her Aunties, who is very ill
.
One afternoon Joan approaches Elise and tells her that she will be taking time off work due to Sorry
Business, Elise is not sure what this means, but does not want to appear ignorant and gives Joan her best
wishes - she assumes it must not be good news due to the word 'sorry. Joan says that their supervisor is
VOTY CONSsionate and she is lucky to work for a company that respects her cultural traditions, but says
that some of the staff make her feel shame.
exte de ani is talking negatively about Joan again. Elise has had enough, she decides to research
Aboncinot are so she educate Hani before she gets herself into trouble.