PSA members recently contacted your union with concerns relating to the proposed office relocation and fit-out for the Penrith Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). We understand Penrith ODPP staff were advised that the office move is expected to occur in June 2023 and that plans for the office layout were all “on target” even though consultation has not been undertaken with workers or the PSA.
Members also expressed concerns relating to the following:
- Narrow office and desk configuration
- Poorly configured waiting room
- Non-existent car parking
- The increased distance of the new office location from the Courts
- A lack of information relating to office sharing for part-time employees
- Apparently that a request for tender relating to the construction of the new office is imminent.
This sounds very much like finalised plans and decision making.
Duty to consult workers – section 47 of the Work Health Safety Act 2011
The PSA is highly concerned that the ODPP failed to undertake consultation prior to decision making about the formal office layout in accordance with its legal obligations under the Crown Employees (Public Services Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009 and the NSW work health safety legislation. As members would be aware, all NSW employers have a legal duty under the Work Health Safety Act 2011 to consult with workers who must be given an opportunity to express their views, raise work health and safety concerns and contribute to the decision-making process. The ODPP is no exception to the legal requirement to consult with workers.
Consultation requested
The PSA wrote to the ODPP last week and requested consultation and we have now been provided with a proposed furniture plan (found HERE) and a glossy real estate brochure. Further, the ODPP advised that the ODPP has only recently completed the design phase and will now consult with all Penrith staff and the PSA in relation to the new office. The PSA has been invited to a presentation by the design consultants to Penrith staff which has been scheduled for Thursday 23 February 2023 at 11:00am. The PSA will attend the meeting via MS Teams. The ODPP has requested member feedback by 3 March 2023 and therefore we encourage members to forward any comments, concerns or feedback to your PSA industrial staff listed below.
For your information, a copy of the NSW Code of Practice – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities (August 2019) can be found HERE. This includes a useful Work environment and facilities checklist (Appendix B).
Are you interested in becoming a PSA Delegate or a Health and Safety Representatives?
All members are encouraged to consider becoming Delegates or a Health and Safety Representative (HSR). If this is something that might interest you, please contact the PSA or one of the Delegates listed below for further information.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provides for staff to elect or nominate HSRs, who have specific functions defined under the Act. Once trained, HSRs have additional powers that can be used to resolve WHS issues, including being able to make requests to see documentation around safety and issue provisional improvement notices (PINs) where worker safety is compromised.
The HSR election is a self-nomination process. HSRs are provided with training and support so they can fulfil the obligations of the role. The PSA can provide you with the necessary training requirements to become a HSR, as well as assist HSRs in their role of ensuring a safe workplace.
Your PSA industrial staff
Dean Allen Industrial Officer
Lachlan Good Organiser
Your PSA Delegates