21 June 2007

Department of Labour increases productivity

The Workplace Group within the Department of Labour is to be congratulated on its productivity gains, said Labour Minister Ruth Dyson.

“At a select committee hearing today the Department explained how it has been implementing its own workplace productivity tools. The Workplace Group in particular, which incorporates the Health and Safety area, has been trialling new ways of working which have freed up inspectors to deal with the most difficult cases requiring specialist expertise,” said Ruth Dyson.

“The Employment Relations Mediation Service has increased the proportion of recorded settlements, where parties reach agreement with or without mediation, which is signed by a mediator and made enforceable in the Employment Relations Authority or the Employment Court. The proportion has increased from approximately 25 percent of the 10,000 mediations closed in 2004/05 to approximately 35 percent of the 6,000 year to date mediations for 2006/07.”

“The Department’s Employment Relations Service has also increased productivity by providing higher quality and timely information and guidance to employers and employees before an employment problem escalates, freeing up mediation services for complex cases.”

Ruth Dyson said that members of the public have also received better service through the Department’s call centre which is now able to deal with a wider range of issues, and through the Department’s website which offers a huge variety of employment information as well as online self-help tools such as pay and holiday entitlement calculators.

“The Department has increased the value of its work and raised its productivity to manage increased demand, while at the same time receiving no extra Budget funding. The Department of Labour is to be congratulated for its innovative workplace thinking and for leading by example in the public service.”

ENDS

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