Defence places great emphasis on ensuring its workplaces are fair and inclusive, which will, in turn, enhance operational capability and effectiveness.
The reporting period saw an increased focus on equity and diversity across Defence. Work commenced to review the effectiveness of equity and diversity training to integrate it into career-long training for the ADF. The concept, still in development, will move training from increasing awareness and compliance to effecting behavioural change. In addition, six new training modules were developed and are available to all staff with access to the CAMPUS Online Learning System. The modules are available on CD for personnel without access to the intranet. The modules developed are:
- Back to Basics (the new mandatory annual awareness presentation);
- Getting a Grasp on Equity and Diversity;
- Dealing with Bullying;
- Cultural Diversity;
- Making and Managing a Complaint; and
- Understanding Homosexuality.
In March 2006, the Defence Committee agreed to an integrated Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Strategy. The strategy has five components—Research, Consultation, Workforce Planning, Structural Flexibility and Sustainability. The strategy will be implemented over a 10 to 15 year period.
Defence initiated a review of processes for managing unacceptable behaviour. The review focuses on the experiences of those required to manage unacceptable behaviour in the workplace and those who have made a complaint. The results will inform a review of Defence policy, scheduled for late 2006.
The Defence Workplace Equity and Diversity Plan 2005–07 sets out the basis for promoting equity and diversity in Defence and ensures the principles and practices are implemented, managed and evaluated. Progress against the plan is reported in the Workplace Equity and Diversity Annual Report. The 2005–06 report is available at the Defence Equity and Diversity website at www.defence.gov.au/equity.
Support for staff with a disability
Defence implements the Commonwealth Disability Strategy through its national, award-winning, Disability Management Strategy. As part of its commitment to people with a disability Defence gave significant support to the Management Advisory Committee's review of the Employment of People with a Disability in the APS, providing a staff member to support the review. Defence facilitated focus groups through its Disability Network and held meetings with senior managers and human resources staff to seek their views on the barriers facing people with a disability seeking employment in the APS, as well as on the measures that have helped to facilitate their employment within Defence.
This year, Defence allocated resources to a training initiative targeted at our web masters. This will see training developed to give our people the skills to meet World Wide Web accessibility standards.
We offer a central source of funding through the Defence Assistive Technology Program to provide technology to employees with disabilities. Software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking and use of specialised monitors and headsets enables disabled staff to participate to the maximum extent possible in the workplace. This year, Defence contracted Macquarie University to conduct an industry initiative trial. The Macquarie Customised Accessibility Services Industry Initiative aims to meet the communication and information needs of employees with disabilities. Subject to the outcome of the trial, this service may be used for the conversion of training or work-related documents to an accessible format and training of managers and their staff in the use of new adaptive technologies. Formats tested include audio tape, digital, text, video and Braille.
Maintaining its broader social commitment to the provision of employment for people with an intellectual disability, Defence continued its relationship with Koomarri JobMatch signing a three-year contract in December 2005. This arrangement provides on-site employment for 14 intellectually disabled people and their supervisors. JobMatch undertakes tasks such as extensive photocopying, bulk mail-outs, collating conference papers, folders and information kits and internal courier runs.