Qld Public servants’ ‘unfair’ appeals jump

Queensland’s public servants are calling out ‘unfair and unreasonable’ work decisions at a higher rate than ever before.

THE number of appeals made by public servants against “unfair and unreasonable” decisions, such as suspension without pay, has jumped 75 per cent year on year according to the Public Service Appeals report.

The report reveals 42 of Queensland’s public sector workers appealed a management decision they thought was unfair, of which 10 were allowed.

According to the report released earlier this year, the increase “may be due to heightened employee awareness of the new appeal right”.

Public servants are allowed to challenge a decision made by management relating to their employment, suspension or disciplinary action under the Public Service Act

Overall, however, the number of appeals made by public servants fell 21 per cent to 225 in the 2018-19 financial year.

Of the appeals finalised, 43 were allowed.

In Queensland’s public service employment of a temporary worker is reviewed after two years to determine whether or not they should be converted to a permanent position.

Temporary employment disputes made up the highest number of public service appeals, with 93 challenges finalised in 2018–19.

The Department of Education recorded 19 complaints from workers about temporary employment, followed by the Metro South and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services with 10 each.