As one of the biggest councils in Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong is a major employer with more than 2,600 workers providing a wide range of services for almost 300,000 residents.
In line with federal and state directions, a number of these services had to temporarily close.
Since the closures, more than 200 roles have been filled through the City's temporary redeployment program, out of nearly 250 positions made available.
The focus now turns to extending further work opportunities for casual City employees impacted by closures.
Casual employees left without shifts due to required facility closures have been invited to register for the redeployment program.
The City is taking a flexible approach to matching employees with temporary opportunities to ensure the new roles suit skillsets, interests and availabilities.
Roles have been created across the organisation in areas including:
- Meals on Wheels
- Staff welfare
- Administration
- Accounting
- Tree management
- Parks Maintenance
- Project support
- Street cleaning
- Online fitness
The City is working closely with our union delegates at the Australian Services Union and other unions in exploring redeployment opportunities.
So far, the majority of redeployed employees have come from our leisure and recreation services.
This includes Lauren, who was redeployed from her administration position at Waterworld in Norlane into the City's tree maintenance team, assisting with clearing vegetation from footpaths.
An employee with the City for four years, Lauren said the redeployment opportunities came quickly after the centre was closed.
Quotes attributed to Lauren Allchin, City of Greater Geelong Leisure Services Officer:
There were plenty of opportunities to take on roles that didn't require prior experience.I successfully applied for the role of Private Vegetation Officer after talking it through with one of the City's Welfare Contact Officers, who called me to see how I was going after the closures.
I have been able to keep similar hours of work, and the flexibility of this role allows me to easily keep going with my university studies.
I am really grateful to be able to keep working. It gives me a sense of purpose and normality through this unusual time.
Quotes attributed to City of Greater Geelong CEO Martin Cutter:
I'm extremely pleased with the success of our redeployment so far.It's great to hear stories such as Lauren's, about employees who have continued to feel valued and purposeful in their work at the City.
As one of the biggest councils in Victoria, we provide a huge range of services for our community. Not only has the redeployment program allowed us to keep employees working, we have been able to boost services to better support our community during this time.
Quotes attributed to City of Greater Geelong Acting Mayor Kylie Grzybek:
We want to support our employees as much as we can in this difficult time, in terms of both their employment and their mental health and wellbeing.The team is talking directly to all employees to understand their individual circumstances and how we can best support them. Every day alternative work is being identified in our business that adds value to our community.
We really want our employees to feel valued and valuable, and the absolute best way to do that is by finding them other meaningful roles within the organisation.
The following comment to be attributed to Lisa Darmanin, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union - Vic/Tas Authorities & Services Branch:
Both Council and the Union are working closely together to ensure that all permanent staff remain financially secure through a mix of work and, where necessary, access to leave.? ?The Union also welcomes that Council is continuing to review the changing situation regarding casual employees who have had to explore other options and remains committed to engaging them again at the earliest opportunity.
The ASU believes that the collaborative approach adopted by the City will enable Council and its employees to recover more quickly as the current situation eases.
