Switch (WA Public Sector) - Information for staff

• Switch is a public sector initiative, coordinated by the Public Sector Commission, that matches staff to tasks needed in another agency that are consistent with their skills and experience and, where possible, align with their usual working arrangements.
• You can review and consider the working arrangements in another agency before accepting a mobilisation placement.
• Your terms and conditions of employment are not affected during your placement or when you return to your home agency.
• You are expected to work where you are most needed. You are not required to do any tasks that you do not have the skills for or that put you at risk.
• Placements can be for up to six months and can be cancelled at any time by any party.
• Mobilisation is available to permanent and fixed term contract staff only.

• Switch does not support mobilisation of staff in specialist roles such as medical professionals, teachers and police officers. 
• It is not available to casual employees and temporary hire personnel. 
• Mobilisation of staff on fixed term contracts of employment cannot extend beyond the duration of their existing contracts.
• Switch is not used to fill vacant positions. Where roles required to be filled extend beyond short-term needs, agencies should fill them through normal secondment or recruitment processes.
• Agencies do not need to obtain redeployment clearance as arrangements through Switch do not involve filling vacancies.
• Switch does not replace usual redeployment processes.

• Agencies send requests for staff and the Public Sector Commission reviews, prioritises and posts requests on the Sidekicker system.
• Requests include clear work requirements, tasks, hours of work and flexibility options such as capacity for working remotely.

• Agencies identify staff who can be mobilised quickly to other agencies.
• Identified staff need to be available for release within five business days of being selected but preferably immediately.

• Agencies nominate a mobilisation coordinator as the contact for all requests and placements.
• The coordinator is responsible for:
  • using Sidekicker (both for requesting staff and identifying staff)
  • facilitating arrangements with other agencies
  • communicating with and supporting staff placed with other agencies
  • coordinating and communicating with the Public Sector Commission and with agencies where staff are placed.

• If you are identified as available for mobilisation, we invite you to register and create a profile on Sidekicker. Your profile includes your current skills, capabilities and experiences, and helps match you with tasks needed in other agencies.
• If you are matched with a request for staff (based on your skills and those that are needed), you receive a link to the opportunity on Sidekicker.
• You can indicate in the system whether you are available for the placement. The placement agency may contact you to discuss details of your availability and work arrangements for the placement.
• You can also browse other open task requests in the system and indicate your interest.

The system user guide for staff shows you how to create your profile and use the system.

• If selected for a placement with another agency, you are given information and support to start the placement.
• Release from your home agency is immediate, and you are expected to start within a few days.
• Your placement agency gives you the details of a primary contact person during the placement. It is their responsibility to induct you, and provide any training, materials and equipment for your placement.

• You remain at your substantive classification level and current award or agreement for the duration of your placement.
• Your hours of work may be subject to change by agreement, and should be discussed before the placement occurs.

• Throughout your placement, your home agency should check in with you regularly to ensure your placement is going well. 
• If you have any concerns about your placement, you should make all efforts to resolve these through your supervisor/coordinator. You can seek advice from your home or placement agency, your home agency employee assistance program or your union if you are a member. 
• If at any stage you feel the placement is not working, you should immediately contact your home agency for advice.   

Home agency

• identifies and approves availability of staff to be mobilised using the available staff form
• maintains pay and entitlements of mobilised staff including managing leave (both home and placement agencies need to approve leave requests during placements)
• negotiates with the placement agency for budget transfers where significant additional payroll costs are incurred (see note below)
• sets up controls, such as project codes, to track and monitor any expenditure associated with the placement
• maintains appropriate records of staff mobilisation arrangements such as rosters, agreements to work shifts and overtime, working from home and flexible work hours
• checks in regularly and supports staff on placements
• communicates with the placement agency
• advises the Public Sector Commission of changes to staff availability
• supports staff returning to their agency when placements end
• manages any substandard performance or other disciplinary matters unless agreed that they are to be handled by the placement agency
• advises the placement agency of any approved staff leave intended to be taken during the placement so it can consider this as part of its mobilisation decision
• is responsible for staff leave accrued during placements
• ensures any leave applications are supported and approved by it and the placement agency
• is responsible for any workers’ compensation claims and manages them in consultation with the placement agency
• continues providing employee assistance program services to mobilised staff.

Placement agency

• exhausts internal staffing capacity before submitting requests for additional staff
• submits requests for additional staff using the request for staff form
• advises the Public Sector Commission, home agency and staff on placement of any changes to the need for staff or required working arrangements of requested or placed staff
• negotiates work arrangements with the home agency and staff on placement (eg duties that attract additional entitlements such as overtime and shift work penalties)
• maintains appropriate records of staff mobilisation arrangements such as rosters, agreements to work shifts and overtime, working from home and flexible work hours
• inducts staff in the workplace
• maintains clear lines of communication with the home agency
• pays any relocation costs in the event of regional and remote placements
• supervises daily staff attendance, performance and conduct
• maintains a record of attendance that is approved by the supervisor and sends copies of approved attendance records to the home agency
• allows access to its employee assistance services where specialist professional advice is not available from the home agency services
• provides any training and development needed for placements
• makes arrangements with staff for such things as remote working and provides equipment
• supports staff through supervision, access to support services and communication
• reports any underperformance or suspected breaches of discipline to the home agency for management unless agreed that they are to be handled by the placement agency.

Note: As much as possible tasks that attract additional entitlements such as overtime and shift work penalties should be kept to a minimum and negotiated between the placement agency and home agency in the first instance. Placements occur on the basis that the placement agency does not bear costs of staff on placement. However, if placement tasks attract significant additional ongoing entitlement above the usual pay of staff, costs can be recouped from the placement agency by negotiation. The home agency must be kept informed of the hours worked.

Staff

• create profiles on Sidekicker with professional details including availability for mobilisation
• respond promptly to placements opportunities
• participate in inductions at the placement agency
• comply with relevant policies, practices and Code of Conduct of the placement agency
• advise both the home agency and Public Sector Commission if availability for placement changes
• forward timesheets and any claims for additional payments to the home agency for payment and recordkeeping.