Guidance Matters No.5 November 2020
In this edition of Guidance Matters, we will unpack the application of the new Public Service Directives and how they potentially impact on guidance officers (GOs) and senior guidance officers (SGOs) when it comes to access to permanency and relocations.
Guidance Matters no.5 November 2020
The guidance officer permanency campaign to date
The QTU has been actively pursuing the problems faced by GOs in continuous temporary employment with the Department of Education (DoE) for several years. It has consistently been made clear that a range of mechanisms should be implemented to maximise permanent employment for GOs. DoE had commenced implementing a process whereby permanent teachers who are relieving above level as GOs would be made permanent. To date, a large number of temporary GOs have been made permanent in accordance with this process. Further information can be found here: Guidance Officers
The QTU’s efforts to ensure that more permanent positions become available for GOs has been running parallel to the QTU’s advocacy for changes to the Public Service Act. These changes provide an essential boost to the firm QTU position that GOs in long-term acting arrangements should be made permanent as a matter of priority. It is unacceptable that GOs remain in acting positions for years when there is a substantive vacancy.
Recent changes to the Public Service Directive
The Public Service Directive that applies to GOs and SGOs acting in higher duties (a position above their substantive position) is Appointing a public service employee to a higher classification level 13/20.
The main changes in this directive are:
- an employee can request permanent appointment at the higher level at the end of 12 months, and then annually
- an employee may also make an additional request for permanent appointment after 12 months if the role becomes substantively vacant
- a 28-day decision period – otherwise deemed refusal
- the decision can be appealed after two years.
- The QTU has developed FAQs for members to support them in unpacking this directive. Members should note that while the term “RAL” (relieve above level) is commonly used among GOs, the term used in the directive is “higher classification”. The FAQs can be accessed here:
Where to from here?
The changes in this directive give GOs and SGOs a process and the underpinning of an industrial instrument to their request for permanency in the higher position. The QTU is currently working with the DoE to provide a clear process enabling members to access the entitlements relevant to the directives.
Relocation matters
If you are a permanent GO, you can apply for a relocation (relocation is the process for classified positions such as GOs - transfers are for teaching positions).
The QTU Guidance Officer information brochure has been recently updated and can be accessed here: Guidance Officers. Please read the document in the first instance and if you have further questions, contact the QTU.
Workload matters – specialist support records in OneSchool
Recent changes to the Guidelines for Specialist Support Records has led to queries from GOs regarding workload, specifically concerns that GOs will be required to scan and upload older documents previously held in secure storage. The QTU has followed up with the DoE regarding this matter, and the response was that only new specialist support records have to be uploaded to OneSchool. There is no expectation that prior items will be uploaded.
Senior guidance officer award coverage update
The QTU has been working towards the goal of bringing senior guidance officers’ current conditions back to the Teaching in State Education Award – State 2016.
There has been a delay in proceedings regarding this and other matters due to COVID-19, and now the state government is in caretaker mode pending the outcome of the current state election. The matter is still on the agenda for the next Certification Agreement Implementation Committee (CAIC) meeting and will continue to be pursued for our members.
History – QTU advocacy to date
The QTU pursued award coverage for SGOs through late 2016 and during 2017. The department’s stated position is that it “does not necessarily agree with the QTU’s position on this topic”.
The QTU canvassed the DoE’s challenges in attracting and then retaining SGOs (due to the dual award coverage issue) and noted that departmental officers in the regions are aware of the issue. The QTU has a firm position that award coverage can be resolved in the interest of students and their parents, schools, SGOs and the department.
In 2019, it was determined that the award coverage matter was best progressed as part of the 2019 EB negotiations and should be listed in the QTU log of claims. This occurred.
This matter was pursued, along with many others, in the log of claims, which resulted in the matter being part of the accepted final offer. Award coverage, along with a number of other matters including WHS, gender pay, ST/EST, workload, specialist teacher, rural and remote incentives, teacher transfer, etc., were listed as matters to work through over the life of the agreement by the CAIC. Some matters could be addressed quickly, some were urgent with direct timelines, and some were complex standing agenda items to be addressed over the life of the agreement.
Award coverage has been listed as a standing agenda item, with finalisation required by June 2021 for CECs, SGOs and RSSOs. Discussions have occurred over a number of meetings without agreement between the parties. The matter is listed again for the CAIC meeting this term, as it has been previously. Each meeting gets closer to an outcome, however it is not a simple process.
SGOs are encouraged to continue to advocate to their local members, the Minister and the department to support our position that SGOs belong in the Teachers’ Award.
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064