I refer to the recent 3% + 3% Framework Documents which aim to introduce a number of wide ranging reforms to working practices and processes in the public sector. The Framework Documents cover the agreed and arrangements to promote the implementation of flexible work practices in the public sector.

As you will be aware, the Flexible Work Practices: Policy and Guidelines were recently re-issued following review and consultation with public sector unions. A major addition to the original guidelines that were issued in September 1994 is the detailed arrangements for part-time and short term Working from Home.

Although not all agencies are covered by the Framework Documents, the Flexible Work Practices: Policy and Guidelines apply to all public sector agencies. The survey and analysis process agreed to under the Framework provides the information necessary for all agencies to progress the implementation of flexible work practices. It is suggested that you survey all employees within your agency in order to ascertain both their present and their future needs for flexible work arrangements.

The Framework Document refers to a deadline of 31 January 1996 for the completion of the survey and a deadline of 31 March 1996 for a report from agencies to the parties at sector wide level. The parties have agreed to delete the 31 January deadline. This means that agencies now have until 31 March 1996 to complete both the survey and reporting requirements. This change allows more time for assistance to be provided 
to agencies.

Discussions on tile Flexible Work Arrangements Framework Document have been held with the Public Service Association and the Professional Officers Association. The attached document outlines the obligations of agencies and represents the agreed approach. The document covers:

• the information to be collected and analysed;
• the method of collection;
• consultative mechanisms;
• the assistance to be provided by the PEO;
• reporting requirements; and
• timetable.

The Public Employment Office will be running a series of workshops in order to assist agencies to fulfil the survey and reporting requirements relating to flexible work arrangements. The major aim of the workshops is to discuss the best approaches to surveying staff, with an emphasis on focus groups and individual interviews.

Four workshops have been planned:

Date Time
Tuesday 30 January 1996: 9.00 am - 11.00 am
Tuesday 30 January 1996: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Wednesday 31 January 1996: 9.00 am - 11.00 am
Wednesday 31 January 1996: 2.00 pm- 4.00 pm

Venue

Training Room, level 30, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney.

It is appropriate that the staff member who will be directly responsible for surveying employees should represent your agency at a workshop. A copy of this circular has consequently been sent to your Human Resources area.

Please arrange for your agency representative to nominate for one of the workshops by completion and return of the attached facsimile (fascimile number 228 3121). An early response would be appreciated.

Any enquiries should be directed to Valerie Corbett who may be contacted on telephone number 228 3569.

KEN CRIPPS
Commissioner

Attachment A

SURVEYING FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS: AGENCY LEVEL

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Information to be collected and analysed

The Framework Document requires that the needs and problems of both staff and management be identified. Some organisations have already made progress on the implementation of flexible work practices and will have available the required information. Others will need to collect all or some of this information.

Specifically, agencies need to identify:

• the needs of staff for flexible work practices and the problems they have in accessing flexible work practices; and
• the needs of management for flexible work practices and the problems they have in implementing the provisions.

2. Method of collection

The method used will be influenced by the size of an agency, its location/s and the level of information already available.

It is envisaged that most agencies will use a qualitative method such as focus groups or individual interviews to gather data. In some circumstances, however, a quantitative approach such as the use of a questionnaire may be appropriate.

In either case, attention should be paid to the obtaining information on the needs of EEO target groups.

3. Consultative mechanisms

Organisations will need to use existing consultative mechanisms or establish new ones in order to work with the unions in progressing the requirements of the Flexible Work Arrangements Framework Document.

4. Assistance to be provided by the PEO

The PEO will provide assistance to agencies at the survey stage during workshops to be held during the last week of January 1996. The workshops will:

• provide advice on the various approaches to surveying staff, with particular attention to running focus groups;
• provide guidelines on selecting a representative sample of staff to be surveyed; and
• provide a reporting format.

5. Reporting requirements

The report should be addressed to the Workforce Policy Division of the Public Employment Office. It should cover:

• practical difficulties experienced at a local level and the strategies that are proposed to overcome them;
• areas where it would be impractical to introduce one or more of the practices and the reasons why;
• sector-wide industrial and other arrangements which are an impediment to the introduction of flexible work practices;
• other matters where agencies believe that sector-wide action is necessary or desirable to assist with the introduction of flexible work practices.

A report format will be available at the workshops in January 1996 or can be sent out to agencies on request.

The reports provided by agencies will be analysed by the parties at sector-wide level to determine whether any sector-wide action is necessary or desirable to overcome identified difficulties with the implementation of flexible work practices.

6. Timetable

It is suggested that agencies adopt the following timetable:

December 1995 Development of survey format and guidelines for agencies
PEO responsibility - a sample of agencies will be consulted
Late January 1996 Workshops for agencies
February Agencies conduct survey
February/March 1996 Agencies analyse survey results and write report
Late March 1996 Agencies report
(deadline: 31 March)

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICE 
WORKSHOPS ON STAFF SURVEYS

Name:

Title:

Agency:

Contact number:

Fax number:

First preference:* Date: Time:
Second preference: Date: Time:

* Unless otherwise notified, you will be allocated your first preference