Review of Classification of General Staff Positions

Policy

This policy applies to employees working under the Collective Workplace Agreement. Where roles, responsibilities and required competencies change within a position, the classification of a general staff position may be reviewed within the Standards and Guidelines set out below.

This policy does not apply to employees covered by an Australian Workplace Agreement. Where an employee has an Australian Workplace Agreement, and there is an increase in responsibility, level of complexity of duties or other work value components the employee’s total remuneration should be reviewed to determine whether it remains appropriate.

Standards and Guidelines

An application for a determination on the title and/or classification of any position may be submitted at any time using the prescribed form.

An application for determination as to the title and/or classification of a position is determined, in the first instance, by the Director of Human Resources.

Where possible, an application for a determination as to title and/or classification is determined within two (2) months of the date of receipt of the application in Human Resources.

A staff member who is dissatisfied with the decision on the application for determination may, within one (1) month of being advised of the outcome of the application, pursue the claim under the Resolution of Disputes clause of the Collective Workplace Agreement.

Where any application for a determination is unsuccessful, the staff member concerned will not be permitted to lodge a further application until the expiration of a period of twelve (12) calendar months from the date of the last application.

The University retains the right to determine:

• the title and/or classification of new positions;
• the title and/or classification structure for categories and groups of positions;
• the criteria for appointment at, or promotion to, all positions and categories of positions; and
• the title and/or classification of vacant positions, having regard for the duties and responsibility attached to those positions.

Date of Effect of Reclassification Decisions

The effective date for reclassification of a position is the date on which the Administrative Head indicates that the request has been considered.

This applies to requests for reclassification which are generated by either the staff member or management.

Reclassification Beyond Hew/DWM Level 10 Range

Any request for remuneration to HEW level 10 or above is to be assessed against market levels and if successful the staff member may be offered employment outside the Collective Workplace Agreement.

Reclassification Procedures

The justification for reclassification of general salaried positions is that there has been a change in the duties and responsibilities required of the position which have resulted in a significant net addition to the work value of the position since it was last reviewed. One means of measuring an increase in work value is by comparing the position with others classified at different levels. Reclassification is not available if the position has changed because of an increase in work volume.

Changes in duties and responsibilities may only be introduced by a supervisor/manager and approved by the Administrative Head. When this happens the revised position description will be forwarded to the Director Human Resources for approval.

In circumstances where a staff member and the Administrative Head disagree about either the duties and responsibilities required of a position or the basis of a claim, the staff member should complete a reclassification application form and submit it through the Administrative Head who should respond to the staff member in writing, prior to submitting the claim. The comments of the Administrative Head together with the application should then be forwarded to Human Resources.

General Staff Position - Reclassification Application

Responsibilities

Related Policies and Procedures

Murdoch University General Staff Collective Workplace Agreement 2006