DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
Posted by: brains
27th Oct 2009 11:51pm
Do the staff in their offices really care about the people they deal with or is it just job.
You must be a member to reply to this chat topic. Click here to sign in.
Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.
Australian Marine Conservation Society are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of scientists, educators and passionate advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.
Comments 14
Coldan
the dept staff are underpaid and overworked most of them are working hard in the best interests of the kids, but government policy shoots it all down in flames
Gypsy
I look to see where I could add my view on Government, this appears to be the closest to my view
I use to work within Federal Government, I know from my experience, I was dump by the federal department, i was punished for reporting bullying. My manager found it easier not to extend my contract after I complained about a co worker for bullying. Regardless I had my contract renewed everytime prior, excellent feedback you name it. My manager said it was easier since I reported the person Bullying it had caused tension.
APS Code of conduct strictly states, you must report bullying, this will have no effect on your position, you need not fear losing your job for reporting. Yeah well I can tell you I had been to HR and other government departments to fight it, every single one ignored me. Now it's past the time 12 months, the same departments are now saying I could had done something had I not let it go, I didn't let it go, I contacted lots of departments including ComCare, everyone in these departments let it go. Now me the victum is in so much trouble financially and life in general, I don't even have my own place to live, I was put out of work, I still am the victum being punished. The bullying never had counselling or anything, another statement made in the APS Code of Conduct. The manager did give me a months warning, this never happens in government, but I believed he knew I would still be proffesional as I did, but that bully did not stop she just kept going, even after I email my boss again about it, she knew she will be OK. Dumb me only reported this because I believed the APS code of conduct. It's just words on paper
I thought of suicide many times while I was working, the bullying was out of control, and of course I still think of it since been told. Then on the last day, my manager had told me how he was thinking of suiciding, I told him he is selfish, he has his wife and children, but I honestly think he was telling me it';s ok to do it. I still think of doing this thats why I see a Physco Dr and take endless tablets, some days good, most are not.
The Government have to start answering for their sins. I know I will never stop feeling useless and I know I should not feel this way, but bullies are good like that, they are clever and great liars. This should never happen, but it does, more than you think.
I was on contract, had been there for nearly 2yrs, I believed I would be put on perm on my third year, thats all gone
And I am sorry, but please, the government employees do not always follow policies and procedures, they also cover their backs well.
I wish just one day soon someone will help me and apologise for the way I was treated and punished, and believe they should pay for their SINS.
paradox
Hi Gypsy, can I say i feel for you and the situation you have been put into. Certainly government policy's not to disadvantage anyone for reporting Bullying or other misdemeanour's by staff. However reality is so completely different than some departmental code of conduct scribbled by someone with no practical experience. Please do not even think of committing suicide, they are not worth it and you deserve better. You also deserve a better air your grievances and if you can use this forum to let people know how you feel, there are many people willing to help you get past this part of your life. Please remember that you can contact the Fairwork Australia Ombudsman in your city and have your case assessed. The initial contact will be via an application to have your case listed and scheduled for an initial hearing. The lodgement cost is $65 to $70 depending where you are and you can be assured of an impartial hearing. I've been there and won my case of unfair dismissal even though I had no contract to fall back onto or a lawyer at my side. before you start the ball rolling get your facts as well as you can remember write them down and submit everything relevant with your application. Please, keep in touch and if you require personal contact I will provide you with my email. Good luck and i hope you have a reasonable festive season.
Becky
That really sux Gypsy,how awful for you. I think there are always good & bad apples in all industries & careers. You shld not go back to that type of employment as it will be vey bad for ur health,how about re-training in something else maybe to give you a total change of mental focus as you must have alot to still offer our society.Dont let that tramp keep you downt for the rest of ur life,take ur control back in ur life & re-direct all ur energy in getting better & finding a new fulfilling career. I aplaud you for ur courage to stand up .....now go & make a better life somewhere so the tramp hasnt won,wat a loser she is....not worth you wasting anymore time & thut on her.....hope you get some encouragment,how about a support group where you can go & share your anger & frustration at the whole experience & dis-appointment .....all the best mate,dont give up
19chris51
I think there is just so much they can do, I am not for or against, but i have known of people who are so vulgar they use vulgar language on thse people and they get away with it, then the genunine person comes along, and they, the poor people are so fed up,
would not the average person not like to be treated like this, so why should they??
anglesea
I did consulting work for the Department. I was impressed by the dedication, hard work and long hours put in by the staff I dealt with. Pubic sevice bashing is ill informed and most unfair.
Dazbo
Definately just a job. In my area they are staffed by either new entrants to the public service or they are transferred to the department because they have not proven to be competent in their previous department or have done something wrong. Perhaps the Government should consider actually employing people with life experience of the job they are to do so they have a personal understanding of the customer's circumstances instead of people that like talking about how many forms they filled out.
queenie
half of these public servents you will find should be pensioned off as for the others fresh out of uni they no nothing but our experience for many years as carers dosent count its just yes sir no sir with all these government agencys and this is the worst i re named it dept of child endangerment what do you think does it fit
nessa7980
queenie yes the new name does fit perfectly. I work for an organisation who has contact with the department and there are some serious issues I think they need to address. Sometimes they get it right but most of the time it's just bullshyt. I care more for the community that I work in than them and I get paid alot less.
porge
It is just a job for which they are very overpaid. Public servants are all the same. Over paid and underworked.
Stekel
Most of the normal staff members try hard, however the middle and top management only think of their carriers
Coldan
they do have to follow policy, as I have been a foster carer for 15 years I get annoyed when the needs of the children seem to come 2nd to the parents, and the only way to change this is to get the policies changed,
Coldan
you do have to do some training, I am through the agency Anglicare, who support me, it is a most satisfactory feeling caring for a child and giving them what they need, now the money side, haha, is app $1.45 per hour, yes per hour for 24 hours every day,
Special needs kids, you wing it!!!!! you can get support but it takes a while, try ringing your local child safety office to find out the agency nearest you
SABETI
Hey Coldan, we were thinking of fostering a child as we have none at home and believe we have a lot to offer a child in need. Is it very complicated to begin with and does the government help the child if there is a special need?