01 - Department of Education and Communities - NSW Government

SAFE, CHALLENGING AND CREATIVE SCHOOLSEmployee Assistance ProgramEAP 1996 1997No. of staff usingthe service 2144 2585No. of counsellingsessions conducted 4694 5588Staff Grievances Resolved in 1997Type ofGrievanceNumber of CasesResolvedHarassment (non-sexual) 7Harassment (sex-based) 3Conditions of service 5Efficiency issues 3Conduct issues 3Racial 1Work relationships 19Other 1Total 42Student Road SafetyA range of Road Safety Initiativeswas introduced to enhancethe safety of school children.The Department’s Road SafetyEducation Program wasimplemented in nine targetedschool districts. The 241 primaryand high schools involvedin the program developedschool action statements, parentinitiatives, curriculum programsand management practices for roadsafety education.Primary schools were invited toparticipate in NSW Roads andTraffic Authority (RTA) SaferRoutes to Schools Program. Thiscommunity program involved asystematic investigation of thelevel of safety facing students intheir journey from school and homeand proposed the development ofbehavioural strategies to improveroad safety in local communities.The RTA also expanded the SchoolSpeed Zone Program to includethe additional streets adjoiningschools. These streets will besignposted for a lower speed limit.Staff WelfareThe Employee Assistance Program(EAP), a voluntary, confidentialand free counselling servicecontinued to operate in 1997 witha total of 2585 employees using theEAP.A total of 5588 counsellingsessions were conducted during1997. This represented an increasein both the number of staff usingthe EAP and the number ofcounselling sessions conducted,although the overall cost wasreduced as a result of revisedcontracting arrangements. Theservice was used for a range ofwork related and personalproblems. Feedback from staffindicates a high level of satisfactionwith the service provided.In 1997, there was a total of42 grievances referred to theIndustrial Relations Services Unit.Many grievances were managedsuccessfully within the schoolwithout reference to district orstate level.Salary Packaging forTeachersThe Department developed a salarypackaging scheme for chiefeducation officers and for staffcovered under the CrownEmployees (Teachers and RelatedEmployees) Salaries andConditions Award. The scheme willprovide a flexible remunerationsystem which gives access to nonmonetarybenefits through salarysacrificing. The scheme will beimplemented in 1998 for chiefeducation officers and trialled forteachers.An Invitation for Expressions ofInterest in providing the schemewas released in December 1997and a formal tender is expected tobe advertised in early 1998.The Deferred Salary Schemeallows teachers to put aside 20 percent of their salary for four yearsand take the fifth year awayfrom teaching for professionaldevelopment and other experiencesor activities.A total of 524 teachers commencedthe scheme in 1997. During1997, the Department negotiatedimproved interest rates to ensureparticipants get maximum benefitfrom the scheme. Applications toenter the scheme in 1998 wereadvertised in October.74 DSE Annual Report 1997