Nursing home wins award for integration work

A NURSING home has scooped top hotels to win a new award for welcoming migrant workers into the workplace.

Skibbereen Residential Care Centre and Retirement Village in West Cork was presented with one of the top awards at the inaugural Hospitality Diversity Awards in Dublin.

The awards recognise employers who help migrant workers integrate into the workplace and Irish society.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Frank Fahey, presented the majority of the awards to restaurants and hotels.

But the west Cork care centre was singled out for particular praise.

The facility employs staff from India, France, Scotland, England, Hungry, Latvia and Russia.

“Cultural diversity brings with it both opportunities and challenges,” said care centre general manager Colette Moyles.

“The team has united in adapting to the opportunities and challenges that cultural diversity brings.”

Managers organise accommodation, airport pick-ups, special long-leave requests and visas for their foreign staff members. They also have a ‘buddy system’ to help them learn about Irish customs.

Mr Fahey said most migrants meet Irish people in the workplace as staff or customers. “It is, therefore, crucial that the workplace experiences are positive ones,” he said.

“We need to attract, retain and motivate staff not marginalise workers from minority backgrounds.”

The 50-bed Skibbereen nursing home caters for respite, convalescent and rehabilitation care and retirement and residential nursing care.

It also 28 independent housing units which are available for rent.