Western Downs. Regional Council preferred employment option is the maintenance of a predominantly full-time and part- time workforce. Where a casual employee over a 12 month period is employed for a minimum of, or an average of 16 hours per fortnight, that employee may apply to Western Downs Regional Council to transfer to permanent part time.
Western Downs. Regional Council’s duty to notify
(a) Where Western Downs Regional Council decides to introduce changes in production, program, organisation, structure or technology, that are likely to have significant effects on employees, Western Downs Regional Council shall notify the employees who may be affected by the proposed changes and, where relevant, their Union.
(b) ‘Significant effects’ includes termination of employment, major changes in the composition, operation or size of Western Downs Regional Council workforce or in the skills required; the elimination or diminution of job opportunities or job tenure; the alteration of hours of work; the need for retraining or transfer of employees to other work or locations and the restructuring of jobs: Provided that where the Agreement makes provision for alteration of any of the matters referred to herein an alteration shall be deemed not to have significant effect.
Western Downs. Regional Council may, at Western Downs Regional Council’s option, make payment in lieu thereof of an amount equal to the difference between the former amounts Western Downs Regional Council would have been liable to pay and the new lower amount Western Downs Regional Council is liable to pay the employee for the number of weeks of notice still owing.
Western Downs. Regional Council shall notify Centrelink as soon as possible giving all relevant information about the proposed terminations, including a written statement of the reasons for the terminations, the number and categories of the employees likely to be affected, the number of workers normally employed and the period over which the terminations are intended to be carried out.
Western Downs. Regional Council shall provide all employees with pay advice in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act 1999 and in addition shall include the employee’s sick leave balance.
Western Downs. Regional Council shall pay the employee’s salary as if the employee worked ordinary hours during such time off.
Western Downs. Regional Council must not attempt to influence or pressure an employee to elect to cash out a period of annual leave.
Western Downs. Regional Council may, as a result of a substantial concern over the consistent use of sick leave (paid and unpaid) based on the nature of its occurrence, duration and overall pattern over the preceding three (3) month period, formally notify the employee in writing that they are required to attend a meeting to discuss sick leave usage where the employee will be provided with a copy of their sick leave record and afforded an opportunity to explain their sick leave use. The employee may be represented by a union representative.
Western Downs. Regional Council may request to the sheriff that the employee be excused from jury service given the position the employee holds or the nature of duties of the position.
Western Downs. Regional Council is committed to the ongoing learning and development of staff. In addition to orientation and annual mandatory and compulsory training, Western Downs Regional Council facilities will develop annual training calendars in consultation with staff.
