2006-2007 Annual Report - Disability Services Commission

4.3 Other Financial Disclosures
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, WORKPLACE BARGAINING AND CHANGE
Employee Relations
The Commission has a broad range of occupational groups covered by five different
awards, eight different agreements and four different unions. This provides
challenges and opportunities in the management of its workforce.
The Employee Relations and Planning section has continued to provide advice and
support to managers and employees on a range of complex issues, including:
performance management;
suspected breaches of discipline;
bullying and grievance management;
industrial disputes;
code of conduct;
managing incapacitated employees;
managing employees who are absent without leave;
work value claims;
teamwork and cooperation;
discrimination;
classification; and
interpretation of awards, agreements and employment legislation.
The Employee Relations and Planning section has also developed, reviewed,
promoted, and provided training on, a number of policies, operational procedures
and guidelines in relation to the above.
Workplace Bargaining
This year saw the negotiation of a replacement agreement for local area supervisors,
social trainers, trainee social trainers and client assistants with the major change
being the introduction of level two social trainers.
Preparation for negotiating another replacement agreement for local area
supervisors, etc, has also commenced.
An agency specific agreement for public servants was also negotiated with the union.
Workplace Change
An important role of the Employee Relations and Planning section is to assist
managers and employees during times of organisational change to ensure that
transitions occur smoothly and in a timely manner.
Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2006–2007 127