The PSA met with the Assistant Commissioner (AC) Crawford and Community Correction at the September Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting. The following matters were discussed:
Directors asking members to do custodial work
The PSA advised that Community Corrections have asked members to undertake custodial duties when the Department has been short-staffed. In particular, the PSA advised Community Corrections that it was concerned around the safety of members and reiterated that members cannot be directed to undertake custodial work. AC Crawford acknowledged the concerns around Workplace Heath and Safety and where there are specific tasks of concern, further training can be provided. The AC also reiterated that if members are feeling pressured, any work is voluntary, and they do not have to participate. The PSA will provide specific examples of locations to Community Corrections as individual members who raised the issue did not want to be identified.
Project update: Improving the safety of frontline Community Corrections staff conducting field visits
Community Corrections provided an update on the work for the project which commenced in July 2022. As part of this project, Community Corrections is exploring the viability of introducing safety strategies, including installing dashcams in vehicles used for field visits, introducing mandatory safety training, and procuring steel-capped boots.
In early August, Community Corrections held a consultation group with Managers from each District. Additional information will be collated over the coming months and consultation with the PSA is to occur. Community Corrections also advised the PSA that it is finalising a proposal to purchase a combination of vehicle- based mobile repeaters and satellite handsets. This matter is to be discussed again at the next JCC meeting.
PSA proposal Field Officers conversion to ongoing roles
The PSA wrote to Community Corrections advocating that field officers should be made on-going. Community Corrections responded on 27 July 2022 advising that the current arrangement whereby field officers are causal is suitable to the Community Corrections and they do not want to enter into any changes. Regardless of this response, the PSA believes that these roles have a consistent pattern of work which obligate the conversion to ongoing. The PSA will view our legal options and continue to advocate for conversion.
Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring industrial issues, community safety and policy change
The PSA raised workload issues experienced by members in this unit. Community Corrections advised that data is being reviewed by the OPP team that will inform discussion regarding workload with the PSA.
Amendment to “Allocation of Case Manager Work” document
The PSA provided an instance of a Community Services Organiser AA who was acting as Case Manager being allocated CSO Organiser duties. The PSA stated that the restrictions that should apply when undertaking Case Management roles. The AC agreed to amend the document titled “Allocation of work to Case Managers within Community Corrections” to indicate that case managers who were not former CCOs are not to be allocated Court Duty Officer or CSO Organiser responsibilities.
Development opportunities
The PSA raised concerns over fair and equitable opportunities for members. The PSA cited an example where family members are given preferential treatment and the misuse of talent pools. The AC confirmed this is not acceptable. No irregularities in recruitment should occur and if they do, they should be reported as alleged misconduct. The AC has since issued advice to managers to address these concerns and restate expectations, the appropriate processes, and conflicts of interest.
Manager roles
Concerns were raised around the expectations of the Administration Supervisors’ duties.
The Assistant Commissioner accepted these roles are still relatively new and there are issues to work through. This was the intention of the Admin Supervisors Working Group led by Director West. Since Director West was on unanticipated leave, the work has been temporarily halted. Community Corrections will invite Director West to attend the next JCC meeting to provide an update. If Admin Supervisors are being asked to perform duties outside of their role description, this needs to be addressed.
Admin Supervisors should be encouraged to speak with their managers/directors if they are asked to perform work outside of the role descriptions / administrative functions so it can be addressed.
Kosazarov v State
This recent High Court ruling has implications for members regarding duties owed by the employer to employees in relation to trauma. Community Corrections confirmed this case had been reviewed by Community Corrections and they will provide further information to the PSA. The PSA noted that the issue had arisen from site visits, particularly from parole units with members seeking professional counselling and debriefing. The PSA will provide information about issues in one site out of session.
JSAP payroll system
The PSA raised concerns the difficulties members were having with the JSAP payroll system. Community Corrections advised that the PSA and Community Corrections can facilitate a meeting with payroll to look at specific issues. The Assistant Commissioner recognised the issues and highlighted this was a problem CSNSW wide with the implementation of the new system. The PSA will provide examples to Community Corrections for an out of session meeting.
Cultural issues in Community Corrections
PSA raised ongoing concerns of members regarding culture and safe workplaces at Community Corrections locations. The Assistant Commissioner confirmed there has been a lot of work to improve culture and safety in workplaces. However, the Assistant Commissioner also accepted there are areas where further work is needed. The Assistant Commissioner stated that she welcomes working with the PSA where required.
PSA Industrial Staff
Monika Wunderlin Industrial Officer
For assistance with any individual matter, please contact the Member Support Centre in the first instance on 1800 772 679.