The following has been copied from (2007) records of the NSW State Parliament: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20070925031
The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ [3.09 p.m.]: In Australia 2.3 million people are part-time or casual workers, one of the highest rates amongst the industrialised countries in the world. More than one in four Australian workers are now in casual employment. Casualisation is an increasingly problematic trend in the workplace. Casual jobs attract an hourly rate of pay but offer very few other rights and benefits, such as the right to notice, the right to severance pay and most forms of paid leave. Casualisation in the workplace has been further fuelled by the introduction of the Federal Government's industrial relations laws by way of lifting award restrictions and broadening employer power. This reform as a means for flexibility has encouraged instances of increasing casualisation in individual workplaces, thus reinforcing the increasing uncertainty and instability within the labour market
The speech suggests that casualisation of the Australian workforce was exacerbated by the former Liberal Governments industrial relations policies.
So, 4 years later and with different masters things should have changed.
They haven’t and there’s a continuing trend toward part time and casual work.
Why?
Because the casualisation of the workforce has nothing to do with Work Choices nor is it a result of Fair Work Australia. The truth is that finding and offering such employment is in the financial interests of employment service provides both in Job Services Australia and within Disability Employment Services.
I have repeatedly spoken about the systematic distortions created by the measurement system used to evaluate employment service providers - the Star Ratings.
The funding bodys Star Ratings reward simple numerical placements: 2 beats 1, even when the 2 are only 8 hours of employment and the 1 is 38 hours employment. In this case full time work means a person leaves welfare behind and the 2 part time positions both continue to require full payment. Nevertheless in the Star Ratings 2 beats 1 and every provider knows it.
This fact has created a system in which it is in the interests of programs like NOVA to only seek part time work, to divide up full time positions to offer multiple subsidies and even to mine schools, pulling out students for a days paid work.
The measurement system used is a disaster for the long term interests of people who have a idsability
The Star Ratings are out today and NOVA scores a consistent 3 out of 5 (that suggests we’re middle muddle) What the Star Ratings won’t tell you is that all NOVA staff are required to achieve at least 15 hours of employment each week before a placement counts for internal recognition.
Since the introduction of “Star Ratings” an industry has been built to rort them. I am collecting examples for later publication but in the meantime this is where you can find a copy of the most recent results here: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/PerfFramework/Pages/DESStarRatings.aspx They tell you nothing much, they fail to recognize deliberate distortions and tip a wink at any process that delivers greater overall numbers no matter how morally bankrupt.
Will this process reduce the total cost of welfare for people with a disability? – Nope.
Will the process lead to increased full time participation? – Nope.
Will the process continue? – Absolutely!
If only it wasn’t important.
Would you like a face-to-face meeting with Martin via Skype? Click the button below to make an appointment
Subscribe to this Blog - blog.novaemployment.com.au Copy the link above and paste it into your favourite Reader to subscribe to an RSS feed of this blog. To watch a short video explanation of RSS and how it helps you save time reading the web click here
Your Comments There are currently no comments on this article
Previous Posts
Properly Caring
Much is made about the easy life enjoyed by people on welfare - we've all seen the 'news' items that show flagrant abuse of the system with welfare recipients engaged in employment or other activities that conflict with the obligation to inform Centrelink of change in status or simply as a means of defrauding the Commonwealth....
2 Things
2 Things:
First:
About the middle of February I wrote: i. "NOVA Needs You!
We are presently engaged in a very significant recruitment drive and are particularly keen to hear from folk with disability and/or sales experience to join our team of Employment Consultants - THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB - you need to be resilient, self sacrificing and have stacks of smarts and even then we only take the best....
We're struggling!
NOVA Needs You!
We are presently engaged in a very significant recruitment drive and are particularly keen to hear from folk with disability and/or sales experience to join our team of Employment Consultants - THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB - you need to be resilient, self sacrificing and have stacks of smarts and even then we only take the best....
Extraordinary Results
When Government Star Ratings seem designed to celebrate the ordinary, it is a pleasure to be able to share a terrific piece of selfless effort on behalf of others....
Whats wrong with Employment Services II? What's wrong with Employment Services II
My mum used to frequently admonish my brothers and I with the words, 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again'....
Whats wrong with Employment Services? There's rumours of a shake-up in the Job Active program - word is, the program isn't making a real difference and employers don't like it!
There's plenty of evidence to suggest that, despite the best intent of Government and funding body, the Disability Employment Service (DES) is similarly in the doldrums....
I need you! Comrades
NOVA needs you - we are very keen to enlist new members of our organisation.
Here's what you need: the patience of Job, the strength of the Hulk, the wisdom of Solomon and a selfless devotion caring for the needs of others worthy of Mother Teresa....
Tragic Loss People with Disability lost a true champion last Wednesday with the unexpected passing of a truly great man, the Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Australia and a dear friend Mr Paul Cain....
Fair Warning
I'm giving fair warning of my intention to expose examples of the current DES-ESS contract's exploitation.
I have written to the Commonwealth expressing my concerns about clear manipulation of the present contract....
Fundamentals
The new contract for Disability Employment Services (DES) will not bring performance improvement.
Government will scratch it's head, blame the economy, blame people with disability, talk about educating employers and spend money on consultations before coming to the conclusion that people with disability must meet more stringent 'mutual obligations'....
100%
Each year, around about the International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) NOVA Employment holds a formal graduation for students that have participated in our pre-employment programs....
Profiting from poverty
Profiting from Poverty
I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment....
New Contract but no change!
New Contract but no change!
Today marks the first day of a new Disability Employment Service (DES) contract.
There are new players and new rules....
Administrative Overload
'It's nice to be busy' and 'busy is better than idle' and all of my mum's other sayings about work being good for you, and all of them said; we're drowning!
The administrative burden of a new Disability Employment Service contract (starts July 1st) and the mountains of paperwork required for an NDIS dollar (approximately 10X that of the former TTW program) has seen us add 3 extra staff to the admin team and we are still receiving a large volume of enquiries that are causing us some time delay in getting back to folk....
Podcasts I've been learning all about Podcasts (I suspect that this may be a long road!)
However, getting paid to be inspired is not the worst way to spend a Monday afternoon and that is just how my day has gone....
Lucky Lucky
I am truly fortunate to work with the very best people in this great nation and we are truly lucky to be part of the best short film festival this side of anywhere!
"Focusonability" voting starts today and there is an even larger number of films (287) than last year....
On the money Sometime over the next week a new Disability Employment Service contract will be announced.
We are moving into a new world of greater consumer choice and greater mobility of job seekers....
Making a tough job tougher!
Making a tough job tougher
It isnt easy to get a decent job and its harder to do so if you have a disability.
NOVA employs around 190 people, an effective and experienced team who are able to draw upon a staff of highly skilled trainers and a support program honed over almost 30 years and tens of thousands of participants....
Your Work There was never any doubt in my mind that I would work. My dad told me I would work and there wasn't ever a suggestion that my future held an alternative option....
Not so bad! Taken from: Today's Guardian at 4.09pm Tuesday 7th November 2017:
www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jun/23/russia-and-the-us-have-the-worst-employment-gaps-for-disabled-people
In a world full of discouragement there’s always a space for good news....
Subscribe to this Blog