The CPSU NSW met with the Life Without Barriers (LWB) management team on 11 May 2023 to raise members issues following the implementation of the restructure in April. LWB have been meeting weekly with the CPSU NSW disability team, the Industrial Officer, the Organisers and LWB union delegates to consult on the change management process.
Please find the latest bulletin on the restructure here.
Rostering issues
The CPSU NSW has been receiving complaints from LWB members in relation to the new rostering hub. The number of mistakes in rostering has been creating undue stress and anxiety for members since the change to centralized rostering. LWB has agreed to address these issues and continue to meet with the CPSU NSW to work through these issues.
LWB advise that until these issues are fully resolved, the rostering and filling of shifts will sit with DSL/ Group home and/or the on call team. The CPSU NSW say this has created increased workloads on the new DSL roles and DSW staff in Group homes.
LWB reports that the process is to call the Roster Hub 6am till 8pm Monday Friday , afterhours to call Group home, DSL on call and then the ROM if outside work hours.
Another issue causing concern is the display of rosters in the house. Staff cannot see the roster of the house they are working in, and who is next on the roster. Only the DSL can view the full roster.
If staff can only view their line roster on Kronos and are not relieved after their shift they are being asked to stay on. The CPSU NSW say this is unfair where staff are looking after vulnerable people and cannot leave their shift to attend to their own personal commitments or caring responsibilities.
We refer members to the SCHADs award clause 25.
Staff continue to raise the issue of fairness in rostering, that casuals are been given shifts over part time staff. The CPSU NSW say rostering must be fair and communicated to all staff. The CPSU NSW wants LWB to develop rostering principles and guidelines that are transparent and followed in rostering.
Rosters must be published at least 14 days in advance for full time and part time staff and rosters are built in fortnightly cycles
Master Rosters
The CPSU NSW will get further updates about any Master roster changes which will require full consultation with staff.
LWB have advised there will be changes to the Master Rosters, to commence first in the South Sydney East Region and the Nepean Blue Mountains. LWB advise there will be full consultation on the proposed changes to Master roster in the Regions.
Kronos App
LWB have confirmed that Kronos is not a surveillance tracking device and does not track the location of staff.
The reference to ‘tracking’ is in reference to recording start and end times of a shift so that an employee is able to be paid correctly. There is no reference to tracking an employee’s location in the documentation because the system does not do this.
LWB are planning on replacing paper sign on sheets with an electronic timesheets. When this occurs staff will have the option of signing on through an app or via a desktop, but no paper based options will be available.
The CPSU NSW has raised issues on behalf of some members who aren’t able to download the Kronos App on their personal mobile phone, as an alternative they can use desk top computer at Group home and or House mobile to check shifts.
On line Training modules are been rolled out to staff.