VICTORIA – New provincial
government human resources practices that promote workplace safety and
excellence are detailed in a report that responds to recommendations arising
from last year’s shooting deaths at the Kamloops office of the Ministry of
Water, Land and Air Protection.
Vince Collins, Deputy Minister of
the B.C. Public Service Agency, issued the report today.
The report follows from the recent
recommendations of the coroner’s jury, Workers’ Compensation Board and a
Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection union/management committee. The
report accepts these recommendations either in full or part, and addresses
leadership skills, performance reviews, the termination process,
violence-prevention policies and training, and health and safety.
“It is my hope that these new
policies and practices will make B.C. government public service workplaces more
secure for employees,” said Collins. As the changes are based on the principles
of respect, communication and conflict resolution, they will also contribute to
a stronger, more efficient public service.”
Actions currently underway or to
be completed across the B.C. government include:
- A
risk-assessment tool will be developed by Sept. 30, 2003 to assist
managers when the potential for violence may exist.
- Avenues
for addressing potential violence and safety concerns will be discussed by
all employees and their supervisors by Sept. 30, 2003.
- The
Standards of Conduct for public service employees will be amended to
express that violence and threats in the workplace are unacceptable, will
not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately. Supervisors and
employees will receive the new standards and discuss their rights to and
responsibilities for a safe workplace by Sept. 30, 2003.
- Annual
performance reviews and development plans, which include information on
employee interaction with staff and supervisors, are to be completed for
all managers by the end of this fiscal year, and for all other employees
by 2004/05.
- A
360-degree feedback and evaluation tool, which provides for peer and
subordinate input, is now available to assess the performance of managers.
- Existing
mandatory harassment awareness training will be revised to include
prevention of worker-to-worker violence by Sept. 30, 2003.
- A new
leadership program is now available to all supervisors that prepares them
to provide coaching, progressive discipline and conflict resolution.
- Hiring
practices and training and development for managers now emphasize
proficiency in leading and managing others, as well as technical skills.
The report is available on http://www.bcpublicservice.ca/ or by
calling (250) 387-0518.
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