M1995-41 Managing Displaced Employees

This memorandum explains the arrangements for managing displaced employees in public sector agencies, in accordance with the Government's policy announced in connection with the 1995-96 Budget.

The Memorandum supercedes Memorandum 1993-36 of 15 October 1993.

New arrangements are detailed in the enclosed document outlining the Government Policy on managing displaced employees, which includes an updated version of the job Assist Scheme covering both co-ordinated redeployment and targeted voluntary redundancy provisions.

The arrangements call for public sector agencies to consult closely with the Public Employment Office, Workforce Management Centre (WMC), immediately situations are identified which are likely to result in displaced employees. Agencies should advise the WMC immediately of the current number of displaced employees.

Chief Executives are not to approve the separation of displaced employees from public employment by way of targeted voluntary redundancy until negotiations with the relevant Unions have been completed; Labor Council of New South Wales advised where targeted voluntary redundancies will be offered; and clearance from the W1AC to proceed obtained.

As you are aware there has been considerable discussion and consultation with the Labor Council as well as public sector unions about voluntary redundancy in the public sector. On this basis I have asked the Commissioner for Public Employment to ensure that the Labor Council co-ordinates the public sector unions' dealing with the targeted redundancy program as it commences.

The Workforce Management Centre will consider the collective impact of agencies plans on the community particularly with respect to identifiable groups or regions and report to the Commissioner for Public Employment. The WMC's role will also encompass provision of advice and services to agencies for redeployment of displaced employees to other agencies, co-ordination of redeployment arrangements sector wide, and provision of counselling, training and placement services.

The Workforce Management Centre is the counselling, training and placement service that can be utilised by agencies. This overrides previous policy outlined in Memorandum 1993-36. The Commissioner for Public Employment will approve any additional services that may be necessary to supplement WMC services.

Displaced employees whose positions are targeted for voluntary redundancy are to have a choice of redeployment or voluntary redundancy. There are to be no forced redundancies nor is voluntary redundancy generally to be offered to all employees within an agency. All employees accepting redeployment or voluntary redundancy are to be given access to the package of services available through the WMC under the job Assist Scheme.

Further advice will be issued to CE0s by the Commissioner for Public Employment following the completion of the Framework Discussions - Crown Employees (Public Sector Salaries 1995) Award on Displaced Employees. The Task Group is to carry out an immediate review of current guidelines and procedures.

If agencies have any queries in relation to the management of displaced employees contacts are:

Mr Ian Peters Director, Employee Relations, Public Employment Office, Phone 228 3530 or

Mr Paul Baker, A/ Assistant Director, Workforce Management on 228 4199