The Varied Australian National University Enterprise Agreement 2005 – 2008

Part Seven – Staff Relations

42. Managing Change

42.1 Principles

42.1.1 Sound management of workplace change implies the timely consultation and involvement of the staff members who will be directly affected by the change, and where the staff members have chosen, their representative(s).

42.1.2 The University may make intermittent use of contract labour to meet a short term need for particular expertise or a period of high demand for particular activities which cannot be met from existing staff resources. 

42.1.3 Any outsourcing proposal that would have an impact on members of staff will be subject to the managing change provisions prescribed in this clause, except where this is not practicable in cases of emergency or in circumstances where buildings, plant, equipment, services or health and safety are threatened and appropriate University staff members are not readily available.

42.2 Preliminary Consideration of Change

42.2.1 Informal discussions or consideration of workplace changes issues prior to the development of a specific change proposal do not invoke 42.3.

42.2.2 When informal discussions lead to the development of a specific change proposal as envisaged in 42.3.1, such discussions should involve all staff likely to be directly affected as soon as practicable.  A staff member will be considered to be directly affected when the proposed change is likely to have an impact on that staff member’s work practices or working conditions.

42.2.3 The formal change process provided for in 42.3 will not apply where all staff members in a work area who are directly affected by a change proposal have been involved in consideration of the change under 42.2.1 and those staff members agree with the proposed change.  However, the University will notify the USCC-SC Chair where change affects a work area.

42.2.4 If affected staff members or their representatives advise the University that they do not agree with the proposed change, then the formal change process under 42.3 will commence.

42.3 The Formal Change Process

42.3.1 Subject to 42.2.3, the provisions of this sub-clause will apply where a specific change proposal is made which is likely to lead to one or more of the following: relocation of a work area; elimination of positions; a change to hours of operation; introduction of significant technological change; or a significant change to work practices or impact on conditions, including change that would be likely to lead to changed responsibility levels.

42.3.2 Where there is a specific change proposal, the University will issue documentation setting out the change to directly affected staff and the USCC-SC Chair.  The documentation will include, where appropriate, the extent and nature of the change proposal, reasons for making the change, the aim of the change, timeframe for change, and any relevant financial information.

42.4 Consultation

42.4.1 Staff members as groups and, where they choose, their representatives will be consulted in relation to the specific change proposal. Consultation will include: circulation of specific proposals for consideration;   an   opportunity for written responses, including alternatives, from affected staff and their representatives (if requested);   meetings to discuss and examine the change proposal and alternatives; and provision of relevant information related to the proposed change and its implementation.

42.4.2 In the case of change affecting an individual staff member, consultation will include relevant information and the opportunity to discuss the proposal with the staff member and, where he or she chooses, a representative. Where the change proceeds, the University will meet and confer to reach timely agreement on implementation of that change, including means of avoiding or mitigating detrimental outcomes for the staff member.

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