More than 35 City of Greater Geelong employees have been redeployed to provide support to the City’s workforce as it continues to deliver essential community services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Employees whose roles were impacted by necessary facilities closures have undergone expediated training to become Welfare Contact Officers in an innovative new program offering redeployment opportunities and important health assistance for City employees.
Welfare Contact Officers are responsible for providing confidential social and emotional support and connecting individuals with relevant resources.
The Officers are an important contact for employees delivering services in the field, those impacted by service closures as well as employees working remotely, to ensure ongoing support and build resiliency during the current global crisis.
Other local governments across Victoria are looking to the City program as a model for implementation of similar programs in their local communities.
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 215 roles have been filled through the City’s temporary redeployment program, out of nearly 250 positions made available.
The City is working closely with the Australian Services Union and other unions in its approach to the health and wellbeing of employees.
City of Greater Geelong CEO – Martin Cutter
City employees are responsible for providing a huge range of services for our community and ensuring our people are supported during these unprecedented times is vital.
The Welfare Contact Officer program is about making contact with our people and identifying those who are vulnerable and may need extra support, and is also providing an important retraining and redeployment opportunity for City employees whose roles have been impacted by facilities closures.
We’ve built a strong culture within the City which is reflected in the commitment of our employees to community service, and it is being demonstrated throughout this crisis in the way our employees are adapting so professionally and resiliently to ensure critical essential services continue for our communities.
Greater Geelong Mayor – Cr Stephanie Asher
Our communities are facing unprecedented times with extreme challenges around job security, sickness and isolation from loved ones.
Out of the incredibly difficult impacts of this crisis, it has been pleasing to see the City’s employees redeployed into a meaningful role that focuses on the health and wellbeing of other City employees as they work to ensure that services are maintained and in some instances, boosted during this global pandemic.
Lisa Darmanin – Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union – Vic/Tas Authorities & Services Branch
The ASU welcomes the opportunity for a number of its Delegates at the City of Greater Geelong to work closely with Council to ensure the welfare of all staff in the face of the challenge of COVID19.
In addition, training in domestic violence awareness and emotional resilience will assist employee welfare officers to provide effective support to staff at this challenging time.
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.
Meet one of our Welfare Contact Officers, Karen Butterworth
Karen has temporarily joined the welfare team from Family Services.
With an extensive background caring for others, Karen is using her skills to support employees at the City.
Karen, how long have you been working at the City of Greater Geelong?
I first began working with City of Geelong (pre-amalgamation) in 1992 and worked through to 1997 as a family day care supervisor, before leaving to have my twins. I commenced my role as a parent educator in 2002.
What other roles have you had during this time?
I have been fortunate enough to have several opportunities within my time at Council, in areas including pre-kindergarten development, family day care, early childhood development and supported playgroup.
Tell us more about your usual role.
As a regional parenting facilitator, I lead a range of programs for parents and carers. I love having the opportunity to support families as well as being part of a team that is so supportive and proactive in delivering a much-needed service to the community.
Describe your current role as a Welfare Contact Officer.
My role involves providing a network of support to employees of the City who are on various forms of leave depending on circumstances, and those that are working from home for an extended period. The calls take anywhere from three to 30 minutes. In that time, I check to see how staff are going, if they require any support or resources, how they are managing and provide assistance and links to services.
How would you describe the importance of your role at this time?
I think that this role is so important in the current time of COVID-19, where we are all having to deal with a new kind of normal. This role is about ensuring that staff feel supported, cared for and valued, while supporting staff to feel connected.
What are the most common topics of conversation?
Over the past couple of weeks, common topics have been how to manage work and home schooling, navigating changes to routine, the importance of self-care and missing human interaction.
How are you finding working from home? Do you have any personal tips or tricks you to share?
I make sure that I get up and ready as though I was physically leaving for work. I have learnt that it is important to take breaks, which is easier said than done. Working from home has meant that my two Labradors are getting very spoilt! I am loving the CALM app, as well as Words with Friends.
Away from work, how do you like to spend your time?
My daughter and I are hooked on jigsaw puzzles, we just completed our fourth. We found three pieces missing, I am thinking our puppies might be responsible. I have also been able to get back into the garden and managing to take regular walks with my dogs.
