Monitor The
Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs
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Volume 4, Thursday October 9th, 2008
Workers want more
BHP Billiton is currently consulting with parts of its work force to gain a response to a possible change to the current four on, four off roster. As reported earlier the proposed roster would allow workers more weekends at home with family and friends than the current schedules. Feedback received by the Monitor from employees affected by the proposed shift changes have been generally in favour of the proposed changes. “Who wouldn’t be happy about extra time at home on the weekends” said one employee. However, the review of shift arrangements has raised an unexpected response from many workers and families. In an interview with Tom Beever Family and Youth Officer he said, “BHP Billiton is to be congratulated for considering possible changes to some shift arrangements. I endorse any move that will promote a more balanced and family friendly lifestyle. But what employees are calling for is an improved workplace environment” Mr Beever said “While most people have responded positively to the proposed changes there has also been disappointment that other, in their minds, more important, work place issues that continually go unchanged or challenged.”
Mr Beever said, “There was a real hope that the culture of the mine and the workplace environment would improve when BHP Billiton took over from WMC, but so many have said, and continue to say, there has been no real improvement.” The discussions with employees concerning the proposed shift changes raised the question “are the changes more a form of just tinkering with model without really addressing the issues that most strongly concern employees and contractors?” “Some BHP Billiton employees and contractors want to be able to go to work and enjoy an environment where they feel valued and appreciated. They want to feel respected and to be able to enjoy healthy workplace relationships with colleagues and particularly management. Sadly too often this does not occur”. “The issue most often raised is that of working relationships between some employees and contract staff, with supervisors and middle management. It seems there are frequent incidences that are considerably beyond acceptable business practices.” Mr Beever said. Mr Beever reiterated that “It’s great that possible shift changes are being considered that will benefit some employees. But the point is urgent changes need to be made to create a healthy workplace
environment that will benefit all workers and their families. It was widely agreed that the changes are positive particularly for those who commute with the only negative response being more of a note of caution that for those who have trouble adjusting to the changes in and out of night shifts that the longer, five night shifts, maybe a challenge to some workers. New figures just released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that Roxby Downs has the highest turnover of population in South Australia. The statistics released placed the towns turnover at 107% between 2001 and 2006, an average of 21% per year. There are many reasons people leave town, career advancement, family, lifestyle with workplace dissatisfaction being only one of them. Retention is one of the major issues for all businesses and the community and many of the reasons people move on are out of the control of employers. We are however in control of the type of work place we create and every business large and small must strive to create and maintain a healthy balance built on mutual respect between themselves and their employees.
Competition was high for the Oktopalfest strong arm contest as contestants tried to sabotage each other’s chances of victory.
Roxby Downs Town Oval Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th October
Opening Ceremony 2.00pm
Come and support your favourite team, family and friends. Food, live entertainment and merchandise. EVERYBODY WELCOME! Recognising our sponsors and supporters: Beenham Elite - BHP Billiton Olympic Dam - Big Sky Credit Union - BSH Transport - Cat Hire - Coates Hire - Des Kelly - Greyhound Australia - Heading Contractors - Hertz Rentals - Lavrick Engineering - Leed Engineering And Construction - Northpoint Toyota - Oasis Restaurant & Roxby Downs Motor Inn - Olympic Dam Transport - Roxby Chinese Restaurant - Roxby Downs BP - Roxby Downs Community Club - Roxby Downs Council - Roxby Downs & Districts Racing Club - Roxby Downs Leisure Centre - Roxby Downs Rotary - Roxby Downs Sun - Roxby Downs Tavern - Roxby Pool and Yard Maintenance - Roxby Traders - St John Ambulance - Tandales Hair & Beauty - The Monitor Newspaper - York Civil