News Flash

The PSA has been receiving many reports from members having to manage unreasonable workloads, as worksites try to cope with vacant positions not being filled and the community requiring vital services.

The current SA Government Wages Parity Enterprise Agreement at clause14.4 states:

"In establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, an agency will not require an employee to have an unreasonable workload in the ordinary discharge of the employee's duties."

If management has not organised a reasonable workload for staff, then members should self manage their work.  This is NOT industrial action.  This is an employee self managing to ensure that they work in accordance with the requirements of the Enterprise Agreement.

The PSA recommends that members experiencing unreasonable workloads:

1.    Do not undertake the duties of absent staff.  This includes not answering their phone calls dealing with emails, or undertaking work which adds to OH&S concerns.

2.    If members are directed my management to undertake another employee's work, then the members should advise management that in order to do so, management provide specific advice on what duties from the member's position will not be done to avoid OH&S problems.

The failure of management to ensure an appropriate workload is a breach of the Enterprise Agreement and the PSA can take these matters to the Industrial Relations Commission.

The PSA is making every effort to respond at the workplace to the concerns raised by members in relation to high workloads and the high vacancy rate.  PSA industrial officers will work with members to ensure management comply with all aspects of the Enterprise Agreement.

It is important the members provide the PSA with regular information on unreasonable workloads, unreasonable delays for services or the instances where services are not available at all.