Employees of the city’s second largest workforce have been given a deadline for feedback to council CEO Tim Baker as biggest staffing restructure in decades begins.
Gold Coast City Council unveils their “Back to Basics” budget for 2022-23.
Mr Baker in a briefing which began at 2pm at HOTA on Wednesday gave staffers five weeks to respond to the changes set to save ratepayers at least $5 million annually.
Some workers panicking about their future, contacted the Bulletin prior to the meeting aware the jobs of several senior executives were “on the chopping block”.
They said they had been advised to punch their payroll number into an internal internet side to determine their fate in the restructure.
Council confirmed its staff were notified that they could access a new online tool which would tell them if their position had moved and if so, where to.
They were told the proposed restructure, including any changes which occur as a result of the consultation, will take effect from November 1.
Gold Coast City Council CEO Tim Baker briefs councillors about a major restructure of the City’s workforce.
Mr Baker told the Bulletin: “This is a big change, so we know we may not have this right first go which is why we now want to hear from our workforce about what they think. Staff will have five weeks, starting today, to provide feedback.
“I am committed to reviewing all feedback.”
The administration in the lead-up had stressed that workers will not lose their jobs.
An employee told the Bulletin: “Some executive co-ordinators are on the chopping board. I know of at least five who say they will be sacked.”
The briefing was live streamed so the City’s 4000 employees could get details on the purpose of each of the new departments announced two weeks ago, and the functions within them.
The proposed structure will address the roles which are duplicated across the organisation, and council says it will ensure the City is focused on delivering value for money services to the community.
New CEO Tim Baker — aims to save $5 million from restructure. Picture Glenn Hampson.
“As I have previously said, no staff employed under the Local Government Award will lose their jobs as part of this restructure. We are just wanting to put the right staff in the right teams to ensure we are delivering the best possible outcome for the community,” Mr Baker said.
The CEO had previously confirmed that approximately 20 executive leader positions would no longer exist under the new structure.
However, more than 30 of the leadership positions currently remain vacant, having executives acting in these roles.
Executive staff were briefed earlier this week and all staff whose positions may have changed significantly or no longer exist in the proposed new structure have been personally notified.
Mr Baker behind closed doors gave councillors a briefing at the recent full council meeting on the restructure which he estimates will save $5 million a year which can be put into new infrastructure.
Senior roles will be merged and areas of expertise centralised in the biggest restructure in recent decades of council’s workforce, the second largest in the city.
Jobs of permanently employed 4000 staffers are safe, but there are some vacancies that can be filled by those in middle or higher management likely to lose their current positions.
The Bulletin was told there will be “consolidation” of senior roles on executive contracts.
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