30 April 2004

Council adopts internal change proposal

The Council has adopted a proposal to reorganise the way it delivers human resources (HR) in the organisation after input from affected staff.

This decision was announced to affected staff this afternoon.

HR staff were told two weeks ago about the likely changes that would create 12 new positions while disestablishing 15 existing positions.

Affected staff were asked to make submissions on the proposals before management reached a final decision today.

Philippa Jones, HR general manager, says feedback from this process has been largely supportive of the proposal and its new direction – the biggest consensus being that it was a more logical way to work across the organisation.

Feedback has resulted in changes to the original proposal, leading to a reduction in the number of positions affected. Other changes to the proposal include modifications to position descriptions and structure, she says. Advertising for the 12 new HR positions begins next week internally and externally. Implementation of the new proposal for HR service delivery occurs in June.

“Existing staff will have the opportunity to apply for these positions. If they are unsuccessful, redeployment options would be discussed before redundancy is considered,” Ms Jones says.

She would know by June whether redundancies would be involved.

“We are offering the staff involved all the support possible to help them through this difficult period, and their unions are being fully consulted,” Ms Jones says.

Consultation on the proposal for Finance Services changes has been extended to next week.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

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