Births Deaths and Marriages organisational review – April 2018 (PDF version)
As members are aware, NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages (BDM) is undertaking an organisation review, which will lead to an agency-wide restructure. The PSA met with BDM management on Monday, 16 April 2018 and was advised BDM has engaged a consultant to conduct a review of the agency. This will be finalised in 11 weeks. Following this, BDM will develop and implement a change process over three months. During this time, members can expect full consultation with management about the restructure.
Other registries in Australia have already undertaken a similar agency-wide change. BDM management acknowledges these restructures could have been done better. The PSA has asked BDM how it plans to avoid the mistakes made by these other registries. In response, management advised it will take a facts-based approach to change in order avoid the problems encountered in Queensland and Victoria. Management also advised that it wanted to be proactive and not drag the restructure out longer than necessary.
BDM management emphasised that it wants an open and transparent process and encourage members to raise issues through the PSA or by putting them directly to management.
The PSA has put together a brief guide on restructures for members below.
What is a restructure?
Restructures are now a very common reform undertaken in NSW Government agencies.
The term ‘restructure’ can cover many different situations such as:
- existing agencies being replaced by a new agency
- merging agencies
- moving parts of one agency to another
- a new structure for an existing agency.
These changes may arise from a review of operations. Sometimes the term ‘workforce transition’ or ‘re-alignment’ is used to describe restructures.
‘Change management’ is a concept that is now frequently used to structure these processes.
The start of the process
The PSA knows a restructure can often be a stressful and difficult time for members. Sometimes there will be rumours about a restructure before it is announced, adding to uncertainty and concern.
An agency should be consulting staff and the PSA when a restructure is planned. Yet this is not always the case and your union may find out about a restructure from members. The PSA can then seek formal consultation. Consultation should allow input from members and the union before restructure plans are firm. But unfortunately, management will often have a clear upfront view of the reform outcomes.
If your agency is being restructured, this is a good time to have the support and experience of your union behind you!
What does meaningful consultation really mean?
- To receive relevant documentation about the proposed changes, what those changes are and how they affect you
- To be given the opportunity to put forward your views with feedback provided
- To have those views genuinely considered by management before a decision
- The reasons for not accepting your views must be given.
A Change Management Plan
A restructure should be based on an Agency Change Management Plan, for which there is consultation with staff and the PSA.
The Government’s Agency Change Management Guidelines cover these plans. A key matter is the process for placing people in roles – page 14 of the guidelines gives an example of a placement policy.
Other policies may also be relevant (see below), especially those written after the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.
The PSA can help to ensure that the Change Management Plan and placement policy are fair and applied to individuals correctly.
Securing a role
Even once the Change Management Plan is finalised, you may still feel in the dark, insecure about your job, and uncertain what steps to take.
Sometimes staff may be directly appointed to an equivalent role. But staff may also have to apply for roles competing against existing departmental staff – usually a staff member can only apply for roles at their current grade, at least initially.
Later stages may include applying for any role in the new structure, with or without applicants external to the agency.
Relevant policies and documents:
- Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009, refer to Clause 65. Consultation and Technological Change –
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/irc/ircgazette.nsf/webviewdate/C8041 - Consultative Arrangements Policy and Guidelines July 1997 –
https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/public_employment/policy_directory/policy_statement?metadata=1037 - Agency Change Management Guidelines –
https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/129117/Agency_Change_Management_Guidelines-20110911_POL_v02.pdf - Managing Excess Employees Policy
https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/public_employment/policy_directory/policy_statement?metadata=135178 - Case Management and Redeployment Guidelines –
https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/public_employment/policy_directory/policy_statement?metadata=125381 - VR Program Guidelines –
https://psa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Attachment-1-VR-Guidelines.pdf - Assignment to Role Guidelines –
https://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/employmentportal/mobility/assignment/assignment-to-role-guidelines/introduction/workforce-planning-context
Your PSA staff:
Monika Wunderlin – PSA Industrial Officer
Surabi Alauddin – PSA Organiser
What can you do?
- Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues
- Print this bulletin and put it up on your noticeboard
- Ask a colleague to join the PSA
- Get involved as your area contact
- Not a member join online – https://membership.psa.asn.au/register
- Members can update their details at – https://psa.asn.au/update-your-details