4.2 Work culture and conditions
In November 2006, the National Blood Authority conducted an extensive staff survey covering issues such as work culture, leadership, communication, learning and development opportunities, and focus on stakeholders. The results of the survey demonstrated that the National Blood Authority has strengths in the quality of its business acumen and subject matter expertise and offers an environment that is sensitive to the needs of those with family responsibilities. In addition, the survey acknowledged strength in:
- providing active learning and development opportunities
- aligning individuals' daily work to the overall objectives of the National Blood Authority
- staff autonomy.
Senior managers have agreed to sponsor issues raised in the survey and work with staff in implementing strategies to address these matters, which include strengthening internal communications, building stakeholder relations and improving the interaction between teams.
The National Blood Authority's Staff Participation Forum is an avenue for staff and management to raise and discuss issues in an open environment and provides opportunities for increased dialogue among all levels of staff. Input from the Staff Participation Forum played a key role in the development of the organisation's new Collective Agreement. Throughout the negotiations, the National Blood Authority focused on issues including productivity, staff retention, training, workplace flexibility, professional development and salaries. The Collective Agreement is on schedule to take effect from the expiry date of the current agreement on 16 October 2007. Current salary levels are set out in Table 11.
Performance-based pay totalling $65,424.47 was awarded to five staff members following assessment against their agreed work outcomes.
At 30 June 2007, 38 staff members were employed under the Certified Agreement. Eleven staff members were engaged under Australian Workplace Agreements, of which four were senior executive service staff.
During the year, the introduction of new workplace legislation led the National Blood Authority to refine and adjust a range of human resource policies and practices, including those on occupational health and safety, the Certified Agreement, Australian Workplace Agreements, leave and superannuation.