Your PSA representatives recently attended the Office of the Independent Review Officer (OIRO) Joint Consultative Committee (JCC). The following is a report back to members on matters discussed:

Work Health and Safety

Work Health and Safety (WHS) is a standing item on the JCC agenda, with both parties committed to ensuring a safe workplace for all.

At the November JCC your PSA representatives raised concerns regarding a potential Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) issue caused by repetitive tasks using Resolve. OIRO committed to refer the issue to the Business Review Process (BRP) Team and report back on the outcome. BRP has since conducted a series of workshops and have improved upon a number of functions which will require fewer repetitive tasks or ‘clicks’. These are aimed to be rolled out in the next month. Additionally, a new program is in development with hopes it will be released mid-year.

Members are reminded they can also raise concerns or provide feedback via the mySafety reporting tool, BRP Team and SME ‘Analyse and Improve’ Workshop.  If there are still issues after going down these paths, members should then raise them with the PSA Member Support Centre on or 1300 772 679.

General business

In raising members’ concerns regarding the current workload in ILARS due to reduced Principal Lawyers staffing, the PSA noted the need to ensure better staff mobility planning. While the PSA supports members’ opportunities to develop via secondments and temporary roles both within, and external to, OIRO, management must take steps to mitigate any increase in workload such opportunities may bring to members of the ILARS Team. OIRO acknowledged the reduction in ILARS and that they have been slow to action backfilling. However, OIRO has advised it is in the later stages of recruitment for additional Principal Lawyers.

We encourage our members to speak to their Leadership Team or to our PSA Member Support Centre for individual support.

Additionally, your PSA representatives sought response from OIRO as to whether there has been any consideration for flexibility pilots to better reflect flexible working arrangements currently available across the Public Service. OIRO has advised that, though respondents to the People Matter Survey indicated overall satisfaction with its Flexible Working Arrangements, OIRO has begun to explore, with DCS Employee Relations team, the possibility of further flexible working options. We expect to hear back in relation to this in due course.

The next JCC meeting is planned for May 2022. Thank you to PSA members for your constructive feedback

AGM results

The PSA Annual General Meeting of the OIRO Workplace Group took place last December, with the following Delegates being elected:

• Chair Oni Roy
• Secretary Fiona Seaton
• Delegate Vacant
• Women’s Contact Officer Ashley Payne

Thank you and congratulations to all Delegates.

The PSA would also like to thank Christie Echo and Margot Undercliffe for their time, dedication and commitment in representing OIRO members as Delegates, and stirring strong union principles.

Delegates play a critical role in representing members’ interests, and in building the strength and capacity of the PSA.

The PSA has a range of training available for those considering taking on the role of workplace Delegate. If you want to know more about being a Delegate, please get in touch with your Organiser Amira Thomson via .