EBA Update

EBA Bulletin No.8 / 2 November 2011

Southern Health remains committed to ensuring all Southern Health staff are provided with up to date information. In order to achieve this, the Human Resources Department has created a link on its website entitled EBA Updates under the heading HR Publications/References to hold useful information for staff. I encourage you to visit this site regularly.

SCHEDULE 2.1 NOTICE OF EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIONAL RIGHTS Enterprise Bargaining processes are frequently accompanied by some groups attempting to capture media attention by stating issues in simple terms. Southern Health understands that such actions are not just restricted to Health Care and this occurs across many different industries. Unfortunately though, this does result in staff hearing or reading information that may not be completely accurate. Southern Health is always concerned that such information may create some anxiety and discomfort to our employees. Southern Health would therefore like to take this to opportunity to directly communicate to you the following: the well being of our patients remains a key focus for us all we believe all of our staff should be treated as highly valued professionals we recognize and respect that you have industrial rights and if you participate in imposing lawful bans this will not be taken personally or be held against you in the future the Enterprise Bargaining system places all parties, both centrally and at the workplace, in positions and roles they would prefer not to be in. Both sides should respect these positions and not allow personal feelings to intrude or impact on lasting relationships unnecessarily During protected industrial action, management will carry out its obligations to patients in a planned and thoughtful manner. This will be done collaboratively with nurses who we understand may be uncomfortable in balancing both their rights of industrial action and their commitment to their patients. Nurses should feel welcome to discuss any concerns and should be given all available information in an accurate and balanced manner. Employers are seeking to respond to health service demands by utilizing the workforce flexibly within the retained framework of the ratios system. Southern Health do not seek the abolition of ratios, we do seek to more flexibly attend to service demand. Southern Health hopes that this information will assist you in balancing the information you receive from all sources. We will continue to share information as it comes to us.

Fiona Prestedge Executive Director, Human Resources Footer ref: EBA bulletin #8/2 November 2011