Union has no time for Centrelink stopwatch plan

[Banjo]

Union has no time for Centrelink stopwatch plan

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has criticised management at Bunbury's Centrelink office for proposing to use stopwatches to monitor staff efficiency.

The CPSU says staff were told team leaders would monitor their customer calls with a stopwatch.

The measure was due to be introduced last week.

However, in an email to staff, obtained by the ABC, Centrelink management advises that the program will not go ahead because it had attracted complaints and it was possible to obtain the information using other systems.

CPSU organiser Rory Lambert says the measure is insulting to staff.

"We couldn't see the point of the use of the stopwatches, $10 hand-held stopwatches, when there is multi-million dollar IT system in place ... capable of recording," he said.

Mr Lambert says members complained immediately about feeling micromanaged and intimidated.

"Hand-held stopwatches to further monitor staff's calls to Centrelink customers, that wasn't was well received," he said.

The Department of Human Services has been contacted for comment.

www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-16/union-has-no-time-for-centrelink-stopwatch-plan/5601328?§ion=news

[Denis-NFA]

I often comment on my treatment from CLink staff and I think like any organization that there are some people with a strange outlook on life but I, for one, would hate to work in the place.

Despite whatever angst I may have previously expressed, and what I may complain about in the future, I find CLink workers to be helpful.

[Deleted]

Jul 18, 2014 5:45:47 GMT 7 Denis-NFA said:

I often comment on my treatment from CLink staff and I think like any organization that there are some people with a strange outlook on life but I, for one, would hate to work in the place.

Despite whatever angst I may have previously expressed, and what I may complain about in the future, I find CLink workers to be helpful.

In the main I agree and have found a number of Cl staff very helpful and some even considerate.  However at a recent 'assessment' when I attended and the staffer did not even know why I was there, to be an exception.  Moreover, when she told me that she didn't really care so long as they paid her, I may start to have second thoughts?

[Denis-NFA]

Jul 27, 2014 14:27:11 GMT 7 @mogo51 said:

Jul 18, 2014 5:45:47 GMT 7 Denis-NFA said:

I often comment on my treatment from CLink staff and I think like any organization that there are some people with a strange outlook on life but I, for one, would hate to work in the place.

Despite whatever angst I may have previously expressed, and what I may complain about in the future, I find CLink workers to be helpful.

In the main I agree and have found a number of Cl staff very helpful and some even considerate.  However at a recent 'assessment' when I attended and the staffer did not even know why I was there, to be an exception.  Moreover, when she told me that she didn't really care so long as they paid her, I may start to have second thoughts?

Hey @mogo51

That is the sort of situation where we need to be able to approach any member of The Australian Parliament and tell them directly of our treatment by any 'Public Servant'.

That would have been not very good for you and I can appreciate your comment.

[Banjo]

Jul 28, 2014 1:19:41 GMT 7 Denis-NFA said:

Jul 27, 2014 14:27:11 GMT 7 @mogo51 said:

In the main I agree and have found a number of Cl staff very helpful and some even considerate.  However at a recent 'assessment' when I attended and the staffer did not even know why I was there, to be an exception.  Moreover, when she told me that she didn't really care so long as they paid her, I may start to have second thoughts?

Hey @mogo51

That is the sort of situation where we need to be able to approach any member of The Australian Parliament and tell them directly of our treatment by any 'Public Servant'.

That would have been not very good for you and I can appreciate your comment.

Isn't this what the Ombudsman is for?