Chapter 7 – Improving Workforce Management Frameworks

Employment Directions relate to the administration of the State Service and employment matters relevant to the State Service Act 2000. Practices, Procedures and Standards are issued to guide agencies in relation to employment management matters. Reviewing the employment framework has been, and continues to be, a priority for the State Service during the reporting period. There have been a number of reviews commenced during this period, and some workplace guidance and Employment Directions have been revised, re-issued or rescinded as noted below.

The focus is to move to a less prescriptive framework, providing agencies with appropriate tools and guidance to allow Heads of Agencies to effectively manage their organisations.

Re-issued Employment Directions

The following instruments were re-issued during the reporting period:

• Employment Direction No. 17 - Senior Executive Service and Equivalent Specialist Officers Administrative Arrangements and Conditions of Service was revised and re-issued during the reporting period; and
• Practices, Procedures and Standards No. 1- Agency Fixed-term and Casual Employment Registers was revised and re-issued on 29 October 2014.

Rescinded Employment Directions and Practices, Procedures and Standards

The following three instruments were rescinded during the reporting period:

• Employment Direction No. 25 - State Service Vacancy Control Process (SSVCP) – which was replaced by Managing Positions in the State Service;
• Employment Direction No. 19 - Consultation in the Tasmanian State Service; and
• Practices, Procedures and Standards No. 4 - Targeted Voluntary Redundancy which was replaced by Managing Positions in the State Service.

When Employment Directions and Practices, Procedures and Standards are issued or renewed, agencies are required to implement them within their workforce management policies and practices. Agencies indicated that they have reviewed or revised their policies and practices in light of the changes noted above.

During the reporting period, the Integrity Commission and Auditor-General released a number of reports. These report recommendations are being considered at both whole-of-service and agency-levels to ensure that all requirements are being addressed, including reviewing Employment Directions and or Practices, Procedures and Standards. Where new guidelines and templates are required, SSMO will work with agencies to develop them.

SSMO last year undertook examination into the use, management and recording of Higher Duties Allowances and More Responsible Duties Allowances. One of the outcomes from this was that agencies reviewed their relevant practices and improved record keeping and approval practices during the year.

Employment Directions (EDs) are issued by the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000 under Section 17 of the Act, and concerns the administration of the State Service and employment matters relevant to that Act. There are currently 25 EDs, which cover a range of employment matters such as determining the requirements for statements of duties, advertising of duties, selection, essential requirements, performance management, workplace diversity and the State Service Principles and the Code of Conduct.

Under Section 15(1)(b) of the Act, the Employer can determine Practices, Procedures and Standards in relation to management of, and employment in, the State Service and evaluate their application within age.

Continue reading: Chapter 8 – Diversity and Good Workplaces