On
1 May 2007, PSA President Lindsay Oxlad and Industrial Officer Josie
Barbaro attended the second meeting of the Shared Services Reform
Workforce Consultative Group (WCG), the peak body to discuss employee
related issues associated with the reform process. An update was
provided and included the following;
-
A Vision and
Mission statement and a series of Principles have been developed by the
Shared Services Reform Office (SSRO) for the reform process. The PSA
emphasised the need for proposed reforms to contribute towards making
the SA Government the employer of choice rather than the employer of
last resort.
-
Data Collection
– This process has been finalised. Results are being reviewed
for accuracy and analysis is continuing. The Data Definitions used for
this process have been provided to the PSA. The SSRO is examining data
from other jurisdictions to develop a series of benchmarks to assess
South Australia's performance and the scope for improvements in
efficiency.
-
Employee
Briefings – Regional meetings are being conducted. Meetings
are expected to be completed by 9 May 2007. Answers to frequently asked
questions are on the SSRO website - http://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/ssro/index.html
-
Accommodation
– In the expectation that the Government approves the shared
services proposal developed by SSRO, SSRO have identified suitable
office accommodation in the Santos building in Currie Street arising
from the shift of the Santos shared services group to their new
building in Flinders Street. Plans involve accommodating the first
tranche of shared services (ie 600 people involved in payroll and
accounts payable) in the vacated shared services accommodation.
-
Consultation
– There was further discussion on ways to effectively consult
with staff at the agency level. Agency committees and industrial forums
have been identified with a view to ensuring all employees are
consulted. PSA emphasised that consultation must be meaningful and
carried out in good faith by agency Chief Executives, not simply
“tell” sessions.
-
Interstate
Experiences – The SSRO has been reviewing experiences
interstate. The PSA has requested information on their findings. Advice
received was that the experience in WA and Queensland showed that
shared services reform needed to be properly thought out and planned at
the outset and that it should encompass finance, HR, procurement and
ICT not simply one area of corporate services. The interstate
experience also showed that there was no single “silver
bullet” solution to shared services reform.
-
Workforce
Strategy Group (WSG) – This group comprises a number of
Public Sector Human Resource Managers established to discuss workforce
strategy issues. A report on issues discussed will be provided to the
PSA.
It
is clear there is still a long way to go in determining the best
approach for Shared Services, and the PSA is keen to see the analysis
of the options being considered. It is expected that the full details
of the shared services model proposed and other matters will be kept
under wraps until the State Budget is released by Treasurer Foley.
The
PSA will continue to keep members informed. If you do not feel you
are receiving information please contact the PSA so this can be
addressed.
If
you have any questions please contact
Industrial Officer Josie Barbaro on ph: 8205 3295, or by email to: jxb@cpsu.asn.au
PSA WORKING FOR YOU
News Flash
