Post by Banjo on Oct 20, 2011 15:59:03 GMT 7
Senator not laughing with Centrelink
Centrelink staff were taught how to laugh...at a cost of $2660 to the taxpayer, a senate committee has heard.
Senator Mitch Fifield on Thursday asked the Department of Human Services to justify a two-day "laughter yoga" workshop organised by Laugh Works at a "leadership forum" involving 150 Centrelink customer service representatives and management staff.
Department deputy secretary of enabling services Barbara Bennett confirmed to the committee the workshop had taken place.
Ms Bennett said the workshop was "an ice-breaker and team-building exercise".
"The session cost $2660 and it was used as a way to have an informal moment to get to know each other better," she told the hearing in Canberra.
Senator Fifield suggested Centrelink try free jumping jack exercises or a stroll around the block in future.
"We'll consider that in the future," she said.
Senator Fifield asked why Laughter Works was commissioned to provide the ice-breaking workshop and who authorised the expenditure.
Ms Bennett said she would take the question on notice.
She said it was not usual for Centrelink leadership forums to start with an ice-breaker.
"This was provided as a one-off basis, I don't think it's entirely unique that organisations are brought in to assist with ice-breaking and team-building," Ms Bennett said.
The sessions were conducted during work hours, the Senate hearing was told.
Senator Fifield quoted a testimonial from the Laughter Works website from a Centrelink staff member: "I think it really hit the mark ... As a workplace health and safety measure, I sensed that it was appreciated by a majority."
Ms Bennett could not name the person who wrote the endorsement.
Department of Human Services secretary Kathryn Campbell told the hearing there would be "guidance provided to decision-makers about the appropriateness of procurement and use of taxpayer funds.
"There's some lessons for us to learn," she said.
Ms Campbell said the yoga laughter workshop "was not something I would suggest was a good use of money".
On its website, Laughter Works says the physical act of laughing eases stress.
Meanwhile, Centrelink deputy chief Grant Tidswell denied some of his call centre staff had been forced to log trips to the bathroom.
Senator Fifield quoted media reports that call centre staff reportedly had to issue a "please explain" to management if their toilet breaks took longer than five minutes.
Mr Tidswell said the report "was a complete furphy".
"I don't know where this story originated from, there's no evidence of this practice," he said.
news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8363228/senator-not-laughing-with-centrelink
Centrelink staff were taught how to laugh...at a cost of $2660 to the taxpayer, a senate committee has heard.
Senator Mitch Fifield on Thursday asked the Department of Human Services to justify a two-day "laughter yoga" workshop organised by Laugh Works at a "leadership forum" involving 150 Centrelink customer service representatives and management staff.
Department deputy secretary of enabling services Barbara Bennett confirmed to the committee the workshop had taken place.
Ms Bennett said the workshop was "an ice-breaker and team-building exercise".
"The session cost $2660 and it was used as a way to have an informal moment to get to know each other better," she told the hearing in Canberra.
Senator Fifield suggested Centrelink try free jumping jack exercises or a stroll around the block in future.
"We'll consider that in the future," she said.
Senator Fifield asked why Laughter Works was commissioned to provide the ice-breaking workshop and who authorised the expenditure.
Ms Bennett said she would take the question on notice.
She said it was not usual for Centrelink leadership forums to start with an ice-breaker.
"This was provided as a one-off basis, I don't think it's entirely unique that organisations are brought in to assist with ice-breaking and team-building," Ms Bennett said.
The sessions were conducted during work hours, the Senate hearing was told.
Senator Fifield quoted a testimonial from the Laughter Works website from a Centrelink staff member: "I think it really hit the mark ... As a workplace health and safety measure, I sensed that it was appreciated by a majority."
Ms Bennett could not name the person who wrote the endorsement.
Department of Human Services secretary Kathryn Campbell told the hearing there would be "guidance provided to decision-makers about the appropriateness of procurement and use of taxpayer funds.
"There's some lessons for us to learn," she said.
Ms Campbell said the yoga laughter workshop "was not something I would suggest was a good use of money".
On its website, Laughter Works says the physical act of laughing eases stress.
Meanwhile, Centrelink deputy chief Grant Tidswell denied some of his call centre staff had been forced to log trips to the bathroom.
Senator Fifield quoted media reports that call centre staff reportedly had to issue a "please explain" to management if their toilet breaks took longer than five minutes.
Mr Tidswell said the report "was a complete furphy".
"I don't know where this story originated from, there's no evidence of this practice," he said.
news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8363228/senator-not-laughing-with-centrelink