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5.5 Good employer obligations
1. Leadership, accountability and culture
Staff forums are held in both offi ces each
month for divisions to talk about their
work and current issues, and to recognise
staff and team successes, both personal
and work-related. All staff are expected to
attend these forums.
2. Recruitment, selection and induction
The HDC’s recruitment policy and practices
ensure the recruitment of the best qualifi ed
employees at all levels using the principles
of Equal Employment Opportunities, while
taking into account the career development
of existing employees. Vacancies are
advertised throughout the Offi ce as well as
externally, and employees are encouraged
to apply for positions commensurate with
their abilities. The human resources policies
are part of induction for new staff.
3. Employee development, promotion
and exit
HDC policies support professional
development and promotion, and the HDC
identifi es training and development needs
and career development needs as a formal
part of the annual performance appraisal
process. The HDC has developed a new
appraisal system where each staff member
receives a performance management
agreement tailored to their role and
development requirements.
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Professional development by employees
is encouraged, and fi nancial assistance or
assistance in the form of time off during
normal working hours may be granted by
the Commissioner. Several staff have been
given the opportunity to “act up” to cover
vacant senior management roles
and thereby further develop their
management skills.
4. Flexibility and work design
The HDC continues to offer secondments
across divisions, working from home
options, and fl exible work start
and fi nish times.
5. Remuneration, recognition
and conditions
The HDC provides fair remuneration based
on Equal Employment Opportunities
principles. The HDC recognises staff
achievements in its internal newsletter
“highlights” and at monthly staff forums.
6. Harassment and bullying prevention
The HDC has a harassment policy and has
zero tolerance for all forms of harassment
and bullying. In addition, the HDC promotes
and expects staff to comply with the State
Services Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
7. Safe and healthy environment
The HDC has an environment that
supports and encourages employee
participation in health and safety activities
through its Health and Safety Employee
Participation System and its Health and
Safety Committee, which meets regularly.
Health and safety is a regular agenda item
at monthly staff forums, and hazards are
actively managed in the offi ce. Support is
given to those staff with acknowledged
impairments by way of sign language
interpreters, special equipment, and
assistance to get to and from work.
In addition, the HDC has a number of
initiatives in place to promote a healthy
and safe working environment,
including sponsorship for health and
wellness activities, an Employee Assistance
Programme, and incident and confi dential
counselling programmes.