Axed public servants take the exit
The number of state public servants in the “departure lounge” for excess employees has almost halved.
There are, however, still a number of public servants who have been on the excess list for between two and five years.
The “departure lounge” houses employees declared excess to requirements and still unable to be found suitable employment in another area.
They are often placed at a desk with a computer terminal, no internet access and little work to keep them occupied while still drawing a full salary.
In its latest “State of the Public Sector” report, the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment highlighted the management of excess employees, an increase in women on boards and a reduction of workplace injuries.
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The report says number of excess employees was reduced from 312 at 30 June 2012 to 177 at 30 June 2013, a 43 per cent reduction.
“The number of employees being formally declared excess across the sector fell from an average of 26 per month in 2011-12, to an average of 13 per month in 2012-13,” the report stated.
“In addition, there have been significant decreases in the number of long term excess employees as follows: A 48% reduction in employees who have been excess less than one year; A 54% reduction in employees who have been excess from 1 to 2 years; A 2% reduction in employees who have been excess from 2 to 5 years; • A 100% reduction in employees who have been excess for over 5 years.”
During the 2013 financial year, 161 excess employees were added to the excess list and 296 were placed or separated.
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Workforce data showed there had been a slight improvement in the number of Aboriginal employees, although still short of the 2 per cent target.
“Although the target has not yet been achieved across the public sector, there are several agencies that have significantly exceeded it,” the report said.
The agencies with higher levels included Communities and Social Inclusion (3.6 per cent) Correctional Services’ employees (3.3 per cent) and Environment, Water and Natural Resources (3.1 per cent).
“Whilst there has been an increase in the representation of Aboriginal people in the public sector, Aboriginal employees remain predominantly in lower level administrative positions.
“At the end of June 2012 approximately 72 per cent of Aboriginal employees were in the trainee to ASO4 classification compared to 51 per cent for non-Aboriginal public sector employees.”
Premier Jay Weatherill said that while there had been some encouraging process, more could be done in the area of employing people with a disability.
“Several public sector agencies will soon undertake trials of innovative engagement, support and employment models to support workforce participation of people with a disability,” he said.
The report gave no specific figures on employee numbers.
Its estimated, however, that the total number of public servants has topped 108,000.
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