Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 1994-95

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE PROGRAM During the year the sub-program generated a total of 5 031 cheques, 5 347 receipts and 4 984 orders. Human Resources The Human Resources area has been in operation in the Gallery for two years. Its purpose is to assist in developing and maintaining a fair and equitable working environment where staff are provided with opportunities for development. The aim is to assist managers to maximise the potential contribution of all employees to the Gallery's goals. A framework of policies and procedures has been established to ensure employees' entitlements and responsibilities are clearly described. These include an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Employee Assistance Service Policy and guidelines, a Policy and Procedure on the Prevention and Resolution of Sexual Harassment, a Grievance Procedure, and a Performance Planning and Review Policy and implementation manual. Merit-based selection processes have been introduced to ensure fair selection of the best people and those involved in recruitment and selection have been provided with training in these processes. As part of our Equal Employment Opportunity program, a women's development program, 'Springboard', has been undertaken by twelve members of staff. This program was developed to provide skills in goal setting, assertiveness, networking and communication. A formal induction program has been developed so that new staff are given an introduction to the Gallery and its goals, Gallery policies, and workplace health and safety. The Gallery has a legislative requirement to submit an annual report on progress in relation to Equal Employment Opportunity to the Commissioner for Public Sector Equity and to submit a forward plan. The feedback was that the Gallery's report provided 'solid evidence of progress'. In order to assess and report on our progress, structured interviews were held with target group members which focused on their access to employment opportunities and their experience of the workplace environment. Feedback indicated that employees were generally pleased with the level of management support in relation to opportunities. However, as a result of the feedback a more structured approach to training and development is being developed. The Gallery was considered supportive and flexible in relation to employees with family responsibilities and these approaches will be formalised under the EEO Management Plan. The goal for the 1994-95 EEO Management Plan was to identify barriers to employment and progression of target group members and ensure equality of employment opportunities for all employees. A formalised system of Performance Management has been introduced into the Gallery and most employees have developed performance plans with their supervisors. The introduction of this system was supported by training of all staff with an emphasis on development of skills to encourage active participation in the process. Employees and supervisors agree on critical objectives to be achieved over the following twelve months and develop indicators to measure success in achieving these objectives. Overall there has been a positive response by staff to the system as it enhances communication, ensures employees and supervisors are agreed on objectives and provides a formal method for feedback. Staff have also had the opportunity to attend information sessions on the grievance procedure which is the Gallery's formal method for ensuring that complaints are dealt with promptly. A number of positions have been reviewed and the position descriptions updated and evaluated to ensure salary levels reflected any significant changes in roles. Where positions were reclassified, merit selection was undertaken to fill the positions. The following consultants were engaged by the Gallery in 1994-95 with all consultancies being in the area of human resources, the majority focusing on recruitment and selection. Genesis Management Consultancy Hogg Lawson Business Strategies Park Road Group Total $19 589.45 160.00 2092.50 21 841.95