Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services recently announced in a press release that they are implementing a 4 day work week for their staff. In the press release Ganohkwasra said that despite the new hours it will not impact services to the community.
Ganohkwasra Executive Director Sandra Montour said in the press release “We anticipate minimal or zero impact on clients, residents or community as we implement this new work schedule,The Ganohkwasra organization and staff remain steadfast in our commitment to eradicate domestic violence, relationship violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking for the Six Nations of the Grand River territory.”
Manager of Operations Brody Thomas joined CJKS to talk about the changes and detail how the implementation will happen within their workplace. Thomas said the change was because of a few different reasons “The first reason was to create a better work life balance, we want to be progressive here and make sure that our staff is okay.” He also detailed that this came to light during the pandemic and said the need for increased activity for your mental health is important when dealing with the kind of issues the Ganohkwasra staff deal with in regards to family violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Ganohkwasra is now going into the second week of the new schedule and Thomas said “staff are really enjoying it and there's been no disruptions in the services to the community.” Ganohkwasra will continue to be operational 24 hours a day seven days a week. The new hours haven’t changed too much Thomas said “the true 4 day model of a work week is giving the day off and not increasing hours. So making the hours the same and giving the extra day off.” Thomas also said that despite making the change staff members who still would like to 5 days a week have that option as well.
The agency is one of the first businesses in the community to go public with the 4 day work week and hopes to inspire other businesses to follow suit. Thomas said “Already I’ve received calls from external agencies inquiring how we did it, so I’m happy to share. I think its a change coming across Canada and Ontario, I think eventually it's something that everyone might move to.” Ganohkwasra also stated that the change was made to also improve recruitment and retention of current staff members.
Ganohkwasra has been providing services to the community of Six Nations for people escaping domestic violence and advocating for a violence-free community since 1986. They will continue to offer all their services to the community which include:
- the emergency shelter (which will be open for new admissions)
- 24-hour crisis support line at 519-445-4324
- women, men and children’s community counselling services
- Ohahi:yo Group
- traditional and family court support
- community education programs
- the youth lodge
- second stage housing
- Ratiweientehta’s Section 23 classroom
- Sonhatsi:wa sexual violence healing centre
- anti-human trafficking prevention program