As previously distributed, the PSA raised a dispute with Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) 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 Service Centre (CSC) if you are a regional Helpline Caseworker, at least 50 per cent of your shifts. This policy came about in response to the Premiers Circular distributed last August titled “NSW Government Sector workplace presence”

The Circular does not strictly prescribe patterns of attendance and allows for ad hoc variations for the needs of employees and organisations. As per the dispute resolution process, we met with DCJ and asked for feedback as to why they would not consider you for an ad-hoc exemption. They have not provided any formal response yet.

Due to a lack of response, we have sought the assistance of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission with the first conciliation meeting held on Wednesday 28 May 2025. Your Delegates, Sheldon Sowter and Morteza Ebrahimi attended with PSA Industrial Officer Graydon Welsh and Senior Organiser Belinda Tsirekas.

IRC seeks to understand what the operational requirements are

The outcome of the dispute is that DCJ are to provide the specific operational grounds they are using to deny the ad hoc exemption by 6 June 2025 and a further conciliation hearing to be held on the 17 June 2025.  Yet there have been no operational requirements provided, other than simply the Premier’s Circular.

Your Delegates and the PSA do not believe there is any valid operational requirement for an increase in office attendance, as the work you perform has been structured around remote working for the past 4 years or longer. You work in the same manner in the office, as you do from home, with the same processes, practices, and structures.

We will be holding a meeting for Helpline and DV Line members on Monday 2 June 2025 to discuss further.