The PSA raised a dispute with the department regarding their expectation of the Helpline and DV Line returning to the office ‘principally’. This would mean attending the Liverpool office, or a local Community Services Centres (CSC) if you are a regional Helpline Caseworker, at least 50 per cent of your shifts.

Following conciliation in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), we have reached an agreed position to resolve the dispute.

The agreed positions are:

• Helpline staff working 8-hour shifts will attend the workplace 2 out of 5 shifts.
• Helpline staff working 10-hour shifts will attend the office 3 out of 8 shifts.
• Helpline staff working part time hours will attend the office in similar patterns, as discussed with their manager.
• Regional employees will have arrangements as per their individual circumstances
• DCJ has advised they are currently working through the provision of IT equipment
• Helpline staff requiring ergonomic assessment and equipment will have updated assessments.
• Infrastructure and Assets are renovating the kitchen on level 4. A smaller kitchen will be available on level 4.

We encourage members to seek individual or team based flexible working plans, as per DCJ’s Flexible Working Work Policy.

We have been advised that there is often a crossover between the Flexible Working Policy and Workplace Adjustment Policy (Passport). They are different policies for distinctly different purposes.

The Passport is for employees with non-work related injuries, disabilities, carers responsibilities or similar grounds for workplace adjustments. The Passport is for reasonable adjustments including ergonomic, start/finish times, job share, part time arrangements as well as possible work from home.

The Flexible Working Policy is for team and individual based flexible working plans including remote working from other DCJ Offices, from home, as well as sharing the spread of office attendance within the team. If you feel you have a valid workplace adjustment requirement, that is not being considered separate to the Flexible Working Policy, you can contact the PSA for advice and assistance.

Contacts

Member Support Centre

Belinda Tsireka

Senior Organiser –

Graydon Welsh

Industrial Officer