WorkSafe Geelong considers job cuts amid plans to cap staff numbers

WorkSafe’s Geelong headquarters could face sweeping changes as chief executive Joe Calafiore moves to cap the organisation’s ballooning workforce.

WorkSafe could be set to cut a number of jobs.

WorkSafe’s top brass wants to halt the steep increase in staff numbers that has occurred in recent years, with job cuts also on the table.

Chief executive Joe Calafiore has told staff of the Geelong-based organisation’s plan to “return to a headcount neutral position”, meaning its total number of employees will not increase.

One source with detailed knowledge of the plans said dozens of jobs were on the chopping block, but both WorkSafe and the office of its minister, Danny Pearson, did not specifically address that figure when asked about the extent of any potential cuts.

A spokesman for Mr Pearson said staffing decisions were a matter for WorkSafe, which in turn said: “Any changes to our workforce will be done in genuine consultation with our people and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and will not impact WorkSafe’s ability to keep workers safe and support those who are injured at work.”

The rear of the WorkSafe building in Geelong CBD. Geelong aerial shots. Picture: Alan Barber

It is understood an executive meeting will be held in early December to map out more details.

The number of full-time equivalent staff at WorkSafe has increased 25 per cent in the past three years, jumping from 1505 to 1884 as of June 30, according to its 2023/24 annual report.

A CPSU spokesman called on WorkSafe to rule out any job cuts.

“It’s not the sort of present you would want this time of year,” he said.

“If they’re going to make major changes they’re required to consult with us and the employees, so that’s why they need to rule it out if they are wanting to restructure, or have a proper consultation process.”

Opposition WorkCover spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said the state government must clarify whether jobs would be cut.

“The longer it is left unaddressed, the more stressful it is for everyone concerned,” she said.

Mr Calafiore was appointed chief executive in April after serving in an acting capacity for six months following the resignation of Colin Radford.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire 16th October 2024. Pictured: Danny Pearson Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Premier Jacinta Allan, Labour leader during Victorian Parliament Question time. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

He was previously chief executive of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) from 2015 to 2023.

Since taking the top job, Mr Calafiore has been joined at WorkSafe by former TAC executive Jane Barker, who was appointed executive director of people and culture in July.

Ms Barker and senior staff within her division have been tasked with investigating proposals regarding staff numbers, sources said.

While WorkSafe has not ceased recruitment, new and vacant roles are being assessed to ensure they are necessary.

A key focus of Mr Calafiore is to ensure the sustainability of the WorkCover scheme after the state Labor government repeatedly referred to it as “fundamentally broken”.

Prior to the passing of new legislation in March that limited access to mental health claims, Labor was forced to prop up WorkSafe with $1.3bn of bailout payments ahead of the 2022 election.

CEO of WorkSafe Joe Calafiore. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

A $389m surplus in 2023/24 was attributed to a significant rise in WorkCover premiums and investment returns being well above the long-term average.

WorkSafe earlier this year signed a five-year lease for two floors within the GMHBA building on Moorabool St, which comes in addition to its 14-storey headquarters at 1 Malop St that can hold around 950 staff at any one time.

Originally published as WorkSafe Geelong considers job cuts amid plans to cap staff numbers