❓ Hon Helen Morton questions the Health Department on the implementation and monitoring of recommendations related to family-friendly initiatives and work-life balance within WA Health, following up on reports from 2004 and 2005. The response details actions taken, committees formed, and ongoing monitoring efforts.
AnsweredQoN 5924Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
The report dated April 2005 was a follow up to the Committee’s initial progress report, provided to the Director General of Health in March 2004. According to the report of April 2005, at the time of the initial progress report in March 2004, it was the intention of the Committee that several additional reports would be developed for consideration. The Health Department took much longer than anticipated to implement, however, such that further progress reports were not completed.
The report dated April 2005 purports to be a final report providing an overview, recommendations for an ongoing structure, follow-up of the initial progress report, and recommendations for further action.
(1) The Advisory Committee recommended that a new Committee be established to ensure that the initiatives - both commenced and proposed - are fully implemented. Has this recommendation been implemented?
(2) If yes to (1), please name the members of this Committee, and identify any and all reports provided by the Committee to the Director General of Health.
(3) The report of April 2005 outlines seven recommendations made and provided to the Director General of Health in the initial progress report in March 2004, and documents the status of these recommendations as understood by the Committee in April 2005. What is the current status of these seven original recommendations?
(4) Has the status of the above-referenced seven recommendations been monitored since April 2005?
(5) If yes to (4), has a report documenting their status been written?
(6) Has a publication of case studies detailing Family Friendly Initiatives been completed, as outlined in recommendation number five?
(7) The April 2005 report also outlines 12 future action recommendations. What is the status of these recommendations?
(8) Has the status of the 12 future action recommendations referenced in (6) above been monitored since April 2005?
(9) If yes to (8), has a report documenting their status been written?
(10) Has a specific working group established by the Family Friendly Network been established, as referenced in recommendation number four?
(11) If yes to (10), who comprises the group?
(12) What is the status of the Family Friendly Network officially launched on 23 March 2005?
The report dated April 2005 purports to be a final report providing an overview, recommendations for an ongoing structure, follow-up of the initial progress report, and recommendations for further action.
(1) The Advisory Committee recommended that a new Committee be established to ensure that the initiatives - both commenced and proposed - are fully implemented. Has this recommendation been implemented?
(2) If yes to (1), please name the members of this Committee, and identify any and all reports provided by the Committee to the Director General of Health.
(3) The report of April 2005 outlines seven recommendations made and provided to the Director General of Health in the initial progress report in March 2004, and documents the status of these recommendations as understood by the Committee in April 2005. What is the current status of these seven original recommendations?
(4) Has the status of the above-referenced seven recommendations been monitored since April 2005?
(5) If yes to (4), has a report documenting their status been written?
(6) Has a publication of case studies detailing Family Friendly Initiatives been completed, as outlined in recommendation number five?
(7) The April 2005 report also outlines 12 future action recommendations. What is the status of these recommendations?
(8) Has the status of the 12 future action recommendations referenced in (6) above been monitored since April 2005?
(9) If yes to (8), has a report documenting their status been written?
(10) Has a specific working group established by the Family Friendly Network been established, as referenced in recommendation number four?
(11) If yes to (10), who comprises the group?
(12) What is the status of the Family Friendly Network officially launched on 23 March 2005?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 March 2008
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Health
Response time
19 days
(1)
The new committee was formally appointed in April 2006. It was re?named the 'State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance'. The purpose of this committee is to ensure flexible work practices are available to all WA Health employees as a means of retaining a skilled and experienced workforce. The tenure of this committee has been further extended to March 2010. Some replacement members are currently awaiting Cabinet approval.
(2)
Chair person
· Dr Cheryl Davenport
Community Members
· Faye Bastow
· Rae Young
· Linda Slack-Smith
Union Representatives
· Jo Dorai-Raj (CPSU)
· Chris Panizza (HSU)
· Neil Fergus (ANF)
· (AMA) - TBA
· Formerly Angela Holmes (LHMU) - TBA
· Formerly Kelly Bombara (Engineering/Building Trades) - TBA
Health Management Representatives
· Formerly Di Mantell (DoH, Royal St), now Suzanne McCavanagh (SMAHS)
· Debra Leyland (HCN)
· Formerly Steve Gregory, now Geoff Travers (WACHS)
· Formerly Jaynie Kirkpatrick, now Derrick Simpson (South West AHS)
· Formerly Dr Phil Della (Office of the Chief Nursing Officer) -TBA
· Steve Seeds (Metropolitan Health Services)
Government Representatives
· Formerly Alison Hall; now Ainsley Gifford (DOCEP)
· Formerly Cora-Ann Wilson; now Andrew Lee (DFC)
Family Friendly Network
· Erica Cunningham (NMAHS)
· Kim Luby (NMAHS)
The Chairperson of the State Health Advisory Committee periodically briefs the Director General on progress of the achievement of Work Life Balance strategies.
The Report on the Childcare Program was endorsed by the Director General in 2007.
(3)
1.
Establish a Family Friendly Network across health
The Family Friendly Network was re-named as the Work Life Balance Network and remains active across WA Health.
2.
Publication of a Family Friendly pamphlet
The following Work Life Balance publications were produced, distributed across the Department of Health and published on the Work Life Balance website:
· Achievement of Work Life Balance - Retention & Attraction Strategies for WA Health.
· Be part of the Family Friendly Network.
· Further Information about the Work Life Balance Network.
· Childcare Program.
· Ten Essential Management Actions for creating a Family Friendly Workplace.
· A Guide to your Entitlements - An essential guide to the work, life, balance entitlements.
3.
Training for Managers in Family Friendly Entitlements
Training for managers was delivered during 2006-07. Further training will be delivered throughout 2008.
4.
Rostering Seminar series
This series of seminars was conducted in 2004 and is available to Health Services on video.
5.
Publication of Case Studies detailing Family Friendly Initiatives
Eleven (11) Case Studies were written and published on the Work Life Balance website. This is an ongoing initiative and new case studies are written up as results come to hand.
6.
Review of current Exit Interview Processes
A pilot Pre-Exit Interview and Survey project commenced in March 2007 and will be completed in June 2008. The findings of this study will inform recommendations for a whole of Health means of collecting and responding to exit data.
7.
The use of Surveys in developing family friendly initiatives
The WA Health Climate Survey reported some Work Life Balance data.
An Australian Research Council Linkage Project: "Work/Life Balance, Well-Being and Health: Theory, Practice and Policy" will commence in April 2008.
There is an ongoing employee Diversity Survey which gathers data on the achievement of Diversity outcomes.
(4)
The State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance meets bi?monthly and monitors all Work Life Balance initiatives.
(5)
The next State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance Report is currently being drafted.
(6)
Eleven (11) Case Studies were written and published on the Work Life Balance website. This is an ongoing initiative and new case studies are written up as results come to hand.
(7)
Recommendation 1: Family Friendly Plan for Health
A Strategic Plan for Work Life Balance initiatives is currently under development.
Recommendation 2: On-Site Childcare Facilities
The first on-site Childcare Centre is scheduled to open at Rockingham Hospital in July 2009. Planning to construct Childcare Centres at all new or re-developed secondary and tertiary hospitals is progressing.
Recommendation 3: Families that Work - Seminar Series
Training for managers was delivered during 2006-07 and will continue throughout 2008.
Recommendation 4: Policy Advice
The following policies relevant to Work Life Balance have been approved:
· Work Life Balance Policy.
· Purchased Leave Policy and Guidelines.
· Deferred Salary Scheme Policy and Guidelines.
· Part Time/Job Share Policy and Guidelines.
· Breastfeeding and the Workplace Policy and Guidelines.
· Telecommuting Policy.
· Family Work Room Policy (Royal St only).
· Phased Retirement Policy.
Recommendation 5: Incentives Program
Planning to present an award for Work Life Balance initiatives has commenced.
Recommendation 6: Family Friendly Network
The voluntary Network Coordinator (Kim Luby) has visited all metropolitan Health campuses as well as health services in the South West and Great Southern to promote flexible work practices.
Recommendation 7: Attraction and Retention Strategies
Shifting the focus from Family Friendly to Work Life Balance has facilitated the implementation of retention strategies across the life?span to retain skilled employees at every stage of their career instead of only focussing on employees with childcare responsibilities.
An Attraction and Retention Working Group has been established. In 2007 an Attention and Retraction publication, which identifies a wide range of possible retention strategies, was published in 2007.
Recommendation 8: Case Studies
Eleven (11) Case Studies were written and published on the Work Life Balance website. This is an ongoing initiative and new case studies are written up as results come to hand.
Recommendation 9: Departmental Resources for Family Friendly
Initiatives
Recruiting for the Work Life Balance Unit is currently underway. There will be one Coordinator, one Educator and a Work Life Balance Consultant for each Area Health Service.
Recommendation 10: Evaluation of Family Friendly Initiatives
Through an ARC Linkage Project the impact of Work Life Balance initiatives will be evaluated using the Australian Work And Life Index (AWALI).
Work has commenced on establishing reliable benchmarks to evaluate Work Life Balance initiatives, for example, turnover rates, increased returns from parental leave and the number of childcare places available to staff.
Recommendation 11: State Health Advisory Committee on Family Friendly Initiatives
The new State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance was established in March 2006. The term of this committee has been further extended until March 2010.
Recommendation 12: This Report is Made Public
The State Health Advisory Committee on Family Friendly Initiatives Report to the Director General April 2005 is published on the Work Life Balance website.
(8)
The progress of all Work Life Balance initiatives is monitored through the bi-monthly meetings of the State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance.
(9)
The next State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance Report is currently being drafted.
(10)
The following specialist Working Groups have been established:
· Childcare Working Group
· Attraction & Retention Working Group
· Equity & Diversity Working Group
· Phased Retirement Working Group
(11)
Childcare Working Group:
Cheryl Davenport (Chair)
Fiona Kaesahagan (SCGH)
Gayle Herron (LHMU)
Shane Coombs (Joondalup)
Liz Prime
Rae Young
Cora-Ann Wilson
Helen Creed
Attraction & Retention Working Group:
Cheryl Davenport (Chair)
Linda Slack-Smith (UWA)
Alison Hall (MRWA)
Kim Luby (NMAHS)
Elizabeth Cook (SMAHS)
Erica Cunningham (NMAHS)
Sue Flindell (SMAHS)
Luci Bertoli (DoH)
Rebecca Newton (DoH)
Yvonne Prout (SMAHS)
Equity & Diversity Working Group:
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The new committee was formally appointed in April 2006. It was re?named the 'State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance'. The purpose of this committee is to ensure flexible work practices are available to all WA Health employees as a means of retaining a skilled and experienced workforce. The tenure of this committee has been further extended to March 2010. Some replacement members are currently awaiting Cabinet approval.
(2)
Chair person
· Dr Cheryl Davenport
Community Members
· Faye Bastow
· Rae Young
· Linda Slack-Smith
Union Representatives
· Jo Dorai-Raj (CPSU)
· Chris Panizza (HSU)
· Neil Fergus (ANF)
· (AMA) - TBA
· Formerly Angela Holmes (LHMU) - TBA
· Formerly Kelly Bombara (Engineering/Building Trades) - TBA
Health Management Representatives
· Formerly Di Mantell (DoH, Royal St), now Suzanne McCavanagh (SMAHS)
· Debra Leyland (HCN)
· Formerly Steve Gregory, now Geoff Travers (WACHS)
· Formerly Jaynie Kirkpatrick, now Derrick Simpson (South West AHS)
· Formerly Dr Phil Della (Office of the Chief Nursing Officer) -TBA
· Steve Seeds (Metropolitan Health Services)
Government Representatives
· Formerly Alison Hall; now Ainsley Gifford (DOCEP)
· Formerly Cora-Ann Wilson; now Andrew Lee (DFC)
Family Friendly Network
· Erica Cunningham (NMAHS)
· Kim Luby (NMAHS)
The Chairperson of the State Health Advisory Committee periodically briefs the Director General on progress of the achievement of Work Life Balance strategies.
The Report on the Childcare Program was endorsed by the Director General in 2007.
(3)
1.
Establish a Family Friendly Network across health
The Family Friendly Network was re-named as the Work Life Balance Network and remains active across WA Health.
2.
Publication of a Family Friendly pamphlet
The following Work Life Balance publications were produced, distributed across the Department of Health and published on the Work Life Balance website:
· Achievement of Work Life Balance - Retention & Attraction Strategies for WA Health.
· Be part of the Family Friendly Network.
· Further Information about the Work Life Balance Network.
· Childcare Program.
· Ten Essential Management Actions for creating a Family Friendly Workplace.
· A Guide to your Entitlements - An essential guide to the work, life, balance entitlements.
3.
Training for Managers in Family Friendly Entitlements
Training for managers was delivered during 2006-07. Further training will be delivered throughout 2008.
4.
Rostering Seminar series
This series of seminars was conducted in 2004 and is available to Health Services on video.
5.
Publication of Case Studies detailing Family Friendly Initiatives
Eleven (11) Case Studies were written and published on the Work Life Balance website. This is an ongoing initiative and new case studies are written up as results come to hand.
6.
Review of current Exit Interview Processes
A pilot Pre-Exit Interview and Survey project commenced in March 2007 and will be completed in June 2008. The findings of this study will inform recommendations for a whole of Health means of collecting and responding to exit data.
7.
The use of Surveys in developing family friendly initiatives
The WA Health Climate Survey reported some Work Life Balance data.
An Australian Research Council Linkage Project: "Work/Life Balance, Well-Being and Health: Theory, Practice and Policy" will commence in April 2008.
There is an ongoing employee Diversity Survey which gathers data on the achievement of Diversity outcomes.
(4)
The State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance meets bi?monthly and monitors all Work Life Balance initiatives.
(5)
The next State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance Report is currently being drafted.
(6)
Eleven (11) Case Studies were written and published on the Work Life Balance website. This is an ongoing initiative and new case studies are written up as results come to hand.
(7)
Recommendation 1: Family Friendly Plan for Health
A Strategic Plan for Work Life Balance initiatives is currently under development.
Recommendation 2: On-Site Childcare Facilities
The first on-site Childcare Centre is scheduled to open at Rockingham Hospital in July 2009. Planning to construct Childcare Centres at all new or re-developed secondary and tertiary hospitals is progressing.
Recommendation 3: Families that Work - Seminar Series
Training for managers was delivered during 2006-07 and will continue throughout 2008.
Recommendation 4: Policy Advice
The following policies relevant to Work Life Balance have been approved:
· Work Life Balance Policy.
· Purchased Leave Policy and Guidelines.
· Deferred Salary Scheme Policy and Guidelines.
· Part Time/Job Share Policy and Guidelines.
· Breastfeeding and the Workplace Policy and Guidelines.
· Telecommuting Policy.
· Family Work Room Policy (Royal St only).
· Phased Retirement Policy.
Recommendation 5: Incentives Program
Planning to present an award for Work Life Balance initiatives has commenced.
Recommendation 6: Family Friendly Network
The voluntary Network Coordinator (Kim Luby) has visited all metropolitan Health campuses as well as health services in the South West and Great Southern to promote flexible work practices.
Recommendation 7: Attraction and Retention Strategies
Shifting the focus from Family Friendly to Work Life Balance has facilitated the implementation of retention strategies across the life?span to retain skilled employees at every stage of their career instead of only focussing on employees with childcare responsibilities.
An Attraction and Retention Working Group has been established. In 2007 an Attention and Retraction publication, which identifies a wide range of possible retention strategies, was published in 2007.
Recommendation 8: Case Studies
Eleven (11) Case Studies were written and published on the Work Life Balance website. This is an ongoing initiative and new case studies are written up as results come to hand.
Recommendation 9: Departmental Resources for Family Friendly
Initiatives
Recruiting for the Work Life Balance Unit is currently underway. There will be one Coordinator, one Educator and a Work Life Balance Consultant for each Area Health Service.
Recommendation 10: Evaluation of Family Friendly Initiatives
Through an ARC Linkage Project the impact of Work Life Balance initiatives will be evaluated using the Australian Work And Life Index (AWALI).
Work has commenced on establishing reliable benchmarks to evaluate Work Life Balance initiatives, for example, turnover rates, increased returns from parental leave and the number of childcare places available to staff.
Recommendation 11: State Health Advisory Committee on Family Friendly Initiatives
The new State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance was established in March 2006. The term of this committee has been further extended until March 2010.
Recommendation 12: This Report is Made Public
The State Health Advisory Committee on Family Friendly Initiatives Report to the Director General April 2005 is published on the Work Life Balance website.
(8)
The progress of all Work Life Balance initiatives is monitored through the bi-monthly meetings of the State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance.
(9)
The next State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance Report is currently being drafted.
(10)
The following specialist Working Groups have been established:
· Childcare Working Group
· Attraction & Retention Working Group
· Equity & Diversity Working Group
· Phased Retirement Working Group
(11)
Childcare Working Group:
Cheryl Davenport (Chair)
Fiona Kaesahagan (SCGH)
Gayle Herron (LHMU)
Shane Coombs (Joondalup)
Liz Prime
Rae Young
Cora-Ann Wilson
Helen Creed
Attraction & Retention Working Group:
Cheryl Davenport (Chair)
Linda Slack-Smith (UWA)
Alison Hall (MRWA)
Kim Luby (NMAHS)
Elizabeth Cook (SMAHS)
Erica Cunningham (NMAHS)
Sue Flindell (SMAHS)
Luci Bertoli (DoH)
Rebecca Newton (DoH)
Yvonne Prout (SMAHS)
Equity & Diversity Working Group:
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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