Justice Corporate Services É«ÀÇÉçÇøupdate
28 March 2018
Justice Corporate Services É«ÀÇÉçÇøupdate – March 2018 (PDF version)
The É«ÀÇÉçÇømet with the Department of Justice on Monday, 26 March 2018 at the first Justice Corporate Services Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) which includes the following agencies:
- Strategic Human Resources
- Digital Technology Services
- Audit and Risk
- Business Support Centre
- Office of the General Counsel
- Justice Infrastructure and Assets
- Justice Finance.
The following issues were discussed at the JCC:
Structural changes affecting Justice agencies
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøsought and has assured of consultation in relation to any pending restructures and other proposed structural changes. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøemphasised the need for proper communication and consideration of Work, Health and Safety issues during structural change.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøraised concerns about previous restructures such as DTS and Office of General Counsel, particularly in relation to recruitment processes. The É«ÀÇÉçÇønoted the improvements in the latest Change Management plans, such as the adoption of matching processes for available roles and attempts to reduce the impact of restructures on staff.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill continue to liaise with the Department in relation to restructures to ensure our members’ interests are protected.
Work, Health and Safety
There was agreement with the Department about the need to develop effective Work, Health and Safety structures in the workplace in order to ensure a safe working environment for our members. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøoffered to work with the Department on this important issue and will retain Work Health and Safety as a standing item on the JCC Agenda.
People Matters Survey and Workplace Culture
The É«ÀÇÉçÇønoted that the 2017 People Matters Survey identified areas where there needs to be an improvement in workplace culture and the Department discussed initiatives in this area. The Department and the É«ÀÇÉçÇøagreed that an important step in improving workplace culture is to develop leadership and managerial capability within the Department.
Grievance procedures
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøexpressed its concern about the effectiveness of current grievance procedures. The Department advised the É«ÀÇÉçÇøthat a new Grievance Procedure is being developed. It will be provided to the É«ÀÇÉçÇøfor consultation.
Agency contractors
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøraised objections about the use of agency contractors for ongoing work. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøadvised there should be public sector recruitment for ongoing roles to ensure a stable and secure workforce.
The Department advised it has put into place processes to review the engagement of agency contractors to ensure a more appropriate balance between public servants and agency contractors.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso reminded the Department of the IRC Recommendation that the use of agency contractors as Supervisors is a breach of the Award. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill continue to advise the Department if it believes that the Award and IRC Recommendation is being breached.
On-call allowance
The É«ÀÇÉçÇødiscussed the need to develop policy in this area.
Training and development
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøidentified that there needs to be better and more equitable access to training and development opportunities.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso noted that there needs to be better transparency in recruitment processes, particularly in relation to temporary roles. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill advise the relevant agency where it has particular concerns.
Flexible working practices
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøraised the issue of flexible working practices and indicated there needs to be more equitable access to measures such as working from home.
Local consultation
During the JCC the É«ÀÇÉçÇøand Department of Justice committed to building consultation in the individual sections to ensure timely and effective resolution of matters in the workplace.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøis contacting the managers of the individual Corporate Services areas to establish an ongoing consultation framework and invites members to provide feedback about issues of concern or changes affecting your workplace.
Your É«ÀÇÉçÇøstaff are:
Susan Emery – É«ÀÇÉçÇøIndustrial Officer
Surabi Alauddin – É«ÀÇÉçÇøOrganiser
Martin Robinson – É«ÀÇÉçÇøOrganiser
Your É«ÀÇÉçÇødelegates are:
Strategic Human Resources – Jessica Woodruff
Digital Technology Services – Joshua Dixon
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøare looking for delegates in all areas of Justice Corporate Services. If you are interested, get in touch with your É«ÀÇÉçÇøOrganiser.
What can you do?
- Encourage your colleagues to join the É«ÀÇÉçÇøonline at:
- Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues.
- Post this bulletin up on your workplace noticeboard.
- Update your workplace details at – /update-your-details/
United we Bargain, Divided we Beg – a unionised workplace is a fairer one!