Frequently Asked Questions

Disability Traineeships and Apprenticeships: Employee information

Q: I have a disability and am interested in working in the public sector. Is there any way I could get a traineeship or apprenticeship?

A: The JobAccess website provides a comprehensive range of information and links to current programs, resources and available equipment and allowances. Go to: http://www.jobaccess.gov.au .

Also the NSW Department of Education and Training Apprenticeships and Traineeships internet site provides a wide range of information for new and current apprentices and trainees and their employers.

Disability Traineeships and Apprenticeships: Employer information

Q: Our NSW government agency is interested in employing a qualified person with a disability. Where can I find information?

A: The Disability Works Australia provides a National Disability Recruitment Coordinator who provides a contact point and other services for employers wanting to recruit suitably qualified job seekers with a disability. Contact 1800 356 670 or visit: http://www.dwa.org.au/ or http://www.jobsearch.gov.au/providers/

Another service is the Disability Employment Network, a national network of employment service providers who assist employers of people with a disability. Services are provided at no cost to employers when they are employing a job seeker registered with the Network. Contact 1800 814 838 or visit: http://www.jobsearch.gov.au/providers

Employers of people with a disability should also check out the publications for NSW Public Sector staff on Employing Job Seekers with a Disability. These are three online versions of the printed publications which have been developed to provide flexible access to this information, especially for those with vision impairment.

Managers and employees are encouraged to access the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet website for guidelines and advice on recruitment and career development for people with a disability. This includes information on reasonable adjustments.

Denied training opportunities

Q: I am from a non-English speaking background and work in a NSW government department. I have been denied access to training and higher duties opportunities over the past six years. All my requests for training or higher duties opportunities have been denied. I am confident in my ability to do higher duties but have not been successful in any of my requests.

A: We suggest you contact your Human Resource section to find out more about your agency’s policies on access to training, Higher Duties Allowance, performance management, and dispute resolution.

Complaint of Discrimination on Health Grounds

Q: I believe I am being discriminated because of my ill-health. Despite having a medical certificate, I have been directed to come to work to attend a process to discuss my situation. Can you help?

A: The Public Sector Workforce Office (PSWO) does not provide individual advocacy. We suggest you first contact your Human Resource section and voice your concerns. They should be able to provide information about the agency’s dispute resolution policy. You may wish to seek advice from your union (if you are a union member) or from the Anti-Discrimination Board (tel: 9268 5555).

Acting in a position but unsuccessful in interview

Q: Recently I formally applied for a position that I have been acting in for over 18 months. I was the only person interviewed but my referees weren’t contacted and I was not successful in getting the position permanently. Despite this, I have been asked to continue to act in the position. Is this valid?

A: As you were an internal applicant, there are no grounds for formal appeal. However it may be useful for you to seek clarity from the convenor to clarify on what basis it was decided not to place you in the position permanently.  

Claim of unfair treatment due to complaint-making

Q: I have worked in the same NSW Government agency for 15 years under casual and temporary contracts. I recently applied for a permanent position and was unsuccessful. I believe because I have made complaints about OHS issues the past I am now being treated unfairly and victimised. I have documented all my concerns and I am currently working with my Union for re-instatement. Can you offer any other external intervention?

A: The Public Sector Workforce Office does not mediate individual complaints. We advise that you continue with your actions to date in documenting and seeking assistance from your Union.

Unfair interview process

Q: I am 62 years of age and have worked on a temporary basis for a NSW Government agency for over 5 years. I recently applied for a permanent position doing similar work to what I do now but was unsuccessful. I believe I was discriminated against on the basis of my age. I raised my concerns with the convenor of the interview panel and discovered that other candidates were prompted on a question to get more information. I did not receive any prompting on the question to help me answer it better. I have spoken to the interview panel convenor and the Human Resources Director about this inequity but this was unsuccessful.
A: As it appears that your efforts to resolve the matter internally have not been successful from your point of view, you may wish to contact the Anti-Discrimination Board for advice on the best course of action. Mediation may help to clarify and resolve the matter.

Days of Religious Significance

Q: I work for a NSW Government agency and am not of a Christian religion. Am I entitled to any time off to observe my religion’s holy days?

A: All government organisations in the NSW public sector are asked to put in place policies to accommodate religious practices where practicable. To access leave for religious reasons, employees are required to seek the agreement of their relevant Manager.

Department of Premier and Cabinet website - Circular C2008-03 outlines the days of religious significance for Multicultural NSW.

Spokeswomen's Program

Q: Is the Spokeswomen's program still running?

A: The Spokeswomen’s Program was established in 1977 to provide support, give women’s issues a profile and establish important communication networks. It has been mandatory for NSW agencies to operate a Spokeswomen’s Program.

A review of the Spokeswoman’s Program found that it worked best when customised by individual agencies to suit their needs. The non-mandatory Spokeswomen’s Program will continue as one component of a broader Women’s Employment and Development Strategy which will improve the recruitment, development and retention of women in the sector. The PSWO is revising the Spokeswomen's Program Resource Kit to assist agencies with their program.

Unfair dismissal: Private Sector

Q: I work for a private company and have been unfairly dismissed. I would like to challenge this - what can I do?

A: We (the Public Sector Workforce Office) deal with NSW government agencies only. Contact the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on tel: (02) 9228 7766 as soon as possible. You can also go to the Awards Online website which provides information on employment conditions for jobs in major private sector industries in New South Wales.