Complementary shifts ease childcare concerns

Katie and Rikke are respected staff members at the Christchurch Casino where they have  been working on the gaming floor for more than six years. When Saphia was born, they were living with Katie's parents so there was always family around to step in and help with childcare. The couple worked the same shifts then, spending time together at work and at home, but when they moved into their own place just over a year ago they needed to think carefully about how to combine work and childcare care.

Katie usually works a night or early morning shift and Rikke an afternoon shift. Where possible, their days off are rostered to coincide. When Katie gets home from work she wakes up Saphia and gets her dressed and ready, then goes to bed while Rikke takes their daughter to school. Rikke's pleased that the rostering arrangement means his wife and daughter do not have to be home on their own at night.

Christchurch Casino Scheduling Co-ordinator Rachel Lewis says, "We work hard to meet both the operational demands of the business as well as those of our employees. We endeavour to provide Rikke and Katie with the rostering support that they need to care for Saphia. They're really respected staff members and are moving up the ranks. We'd hate to lose them."

Rachel says that, like a number of Christchurch businesses, the casino is short-staffed in some areas. "We face a number of very specific employment challenges which can make certain positions difficult to fill. A 24/7, seven-day a week operation doesn't necessarily suit everyone. We need a big talent pool across the board and we require police checks on all employees."

In total, the casino employs more than 560 people and it can have up to 65 people working at any one time. Staff training is a big investment. For example, it takes six to eight weeks to train new dealers to learn two games before they start on the gaming floor, with a multitude of games still available for those wanting career progression and development.

"Our staff are valuable and we really want to retain them ," says Rachel.

Katie started working as a dealer at the casino in 2001 and was promoted to inspector in 2006.  Rikke moved from his welding job to working as a dealer in 2002 and was promoted to inspector last year. The couple were both born in Samoa and met in New Zealand at a sporting event more than 10 years ago.

Rikke says that working at the casino suits them well even if the hours are unsociable due to their arrangement. "Where possible, they arrange the rosters to suit us so we can look after Saphia. That's a great help for us."