CSIRO Executive and senior management continue to work constructively with Staff Association representatives to optimise COVID-19 safety at our sites.
Returning to sites
Last week, CSIRO Executive Katherine Paroz announced enhanced measures in the next steps of the organisation’s Return to site plan, many as a result of collaboration with the Staff Association.
The communication to staff emphasised two key points:
Staff Association response
The Staff Association supports CSIRO’s approach and in particular the development of specific Covid safety measures and planning at each site. This is an initiative that Staff Association representatives have been advocating, while working with CSIRO’s Situation Management Team (SMT) over recent months.
It is clear that individual States and Territories will continue to take different approaches, so the Staff Association welcomes the embedding of site-specific planning and Covid safe measures for every CSIRO site; until a COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out in Australia.
Consultation is key
The Staff Association is urging CSIRO to undertake thorough consultation with staff, Health and Safety representatives, Staff Association delegates, area custodians and staff with key corporate citizenship roles.
Consultation is key to understanding the COVID safety risks on each site as well as raising awareness on safety measures and implementing practices that are both safe and efficient. For example, measures on laboratory work, field work, and site density and attendance will only be effective if staff are involved every step of the way.
Working from home
The Staff Association believes that many staff will continue to be able to conduct their work from home and this should be supported. A majority of CSIRO staff have taken the opportunity to set up their home with resources from CSIRO’s working from home package.
Please contact your Staff Association delegate or organiser, if you have any questions regarding your ongoing ability to work from home.
Congratulations
As CSIRO continues to boost COVID safety, the people of Melbourne have done a remarkable job to suppress COVID-19 in our community. A big congratulations to all our members in Melbourne for solidarity to the safety of many others under very challenging circumstances.
Further, the work of the Staff Association’s COVID-19 working group, comprising representatives from workplaces across the country, has been integral to effective collaboration with the SMT and CSIRO’s Executives.
Members should continue to contact working group members with issues and feedback.
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