Human Resources

Unique IDAG-0029DescriptionThis agency was created as part of the administrative reorganisation of the Council recommended by the Commissioners who were installed by the State Government in 1987-1988, and which took effect from 1 January 1989. The title 'Human Resources Department' was adopted on 13 March 1989, it was changed to 'Employee Services' by Resolution of the Council on 10 February 1992, to 'Personnel' from about mid-1993. Human Resources again became the preferred title by May 2005.

The head of the preceding agency, George McColl, became the first head of the new agency, with the title of Director. He retired from Council in 1993. The responsibilities of the Human Resources Department/Personnel agency were -

Administration of Council's Equal Employment Opportunity policy, adopted by Resolution of Council on 13 March 1989.
Personnel counselling on matters such as career development and retirement, and in cases of personal problems.
Recruitment and training of personnel.
Assessment and planning of current and future personnel requirements.
Occupational health and safety matters.
Processing of timesheets and payroll matters
Industrial relations matters including negotiation with trades unions.
Workers' compensation claims processing, and defence of claims brought against the Council. This responsibility was removed from Personnel and placed under the Risk Management Section of CA 111, Corporate and Business Services in late 1995 (it was subsequently moved to the new 'Employee Services' team within CA 177, Living City Services, in August 1997). The responsibility returned to Employee Services by about 2001.

In July 1991 this agency was incorporated into the Finance & Administration Division, headed by the Deputy Town Clerk (Graham Joss) as Divisional Manager. This was one of four newly-created divisions intended to coordinate Council's administrative functions. These divisions are not recognised by the Archives CRS documentation system, as they did not create any records. At the same time the word 'department' was dropped from use as part of agency titles.

In December 1992 Council adopted a consultant's report recommending a new administrative structure, including the replacement of the four old divisions with five new ones (which the CRS system has recognised), and an Office of the General Manager. From 1 January 1993 this agency was transferred to the oversight of the new Office of the General Manager. In 1995 it was transferred to the Corporate Services Division.

From 1995-96, Personnel was significantly affected by the reduction in staff numbers across Council and the move to competitive tendering of businesses fostered by the General Manager (Greg Maddock 1996+). Recruitment was devolved to the business units of Council, and internal staff training virtually ceased. Administration of the redundancy program, and management of the Joint Development Agreement negotiated with the unions, became important roles for Personnel.

From August 1997 the unit was again re-named as 'Corporate Human Resources'. It's key responsibilities were:
Recruitment coordination
Maintenance of staff records
Employee relations advice

Other responsibilities were transferred to 'Employee Services' a new unit within AGY 177, Living City Services, which provided these services on 'contract' to the Council under oversight from Corporate Human Resources:
Training & rehabilitation (incl Workers Compensation)
Occupational health & safety
Payroll services

The Employee Services unit was reamalgamated back into CA 29 by about April 2001, and the combined Human Resources unit was moved into CA 107, Office of the General Manager, and renamed Employee Services.

From 1 September 2009 a new Workplace Services Division (CA 250) was formed (Director Susan Pettifer), with three businjess units: (1) Occupational Health & Safety; (2) Human Resources Operations; (3) Workforce Capability & Learning. As a stand-alone division it is no longer administratively subordinate to the CEO office.
CreationNSW Gazette, 2 December 1988: Notice pursuant to City of Sydney Act 1988, Schedule 3, Clauses 4, 7AbolitionFrom 1 September 2009 a new Workplace Services Division (CA 250) was formed.

Series

General Correspondence and Subject Files

Temporary Staff Cards

Personal Injury Reports

Job Analysis Records

Employee Service Files

Rates of Pay Lists

Compensation Claim Registers

General Correspondence and Subject Files

Staff Record Cards, 1895-1994 [Municipal Council of Sydney / City of Sydney]

Agency

Workforce and Information Services

Living City Services

Corporate Services

Office of the CEO and Councillor Support

Description

Start date1st January 1989End date1st September 2009Relationship legacy dataPRECEDED BY: Leichhardt Municipal Council AG-0202 (08/05/2003) - Glebe transferred from Leichhardt Municipal Council to City of Sydney
PRECEDED BY: South Sydney City Council Corporate Services Department AG-0214 (06/02/2004) - Amalgamation with City of Sydney
PRECEDED BY: South Sydney City Council Corporate Services Department AG-0214 (08/05/2003) - Areas transferred to City of Sydney
PRECEDED BY: Medical AG-0002 (by 28/06/1994)
PRECEDED BY: Living City Services AG-0177 (c. 01/04/2001) - Employee Services merged into Human Resources
PRECEDED BY: Industrial Relations Department AG-0013 (01/01/1989)
RELATED TO: Sydney City Council OR-0001 (01/01/1989)
RELATED TO: Council administration FN-0026 (01/01/1989)
Source System ID29

Relationships

Preceding agenciesIndustrial Relations DepartmentLiving City ServicesMedicalSouth Sydney City Council Corporate Services DepartmentLeichhardt Municipal CouncilOrganisationSydney City CouncilRelated functionsCouncil administration

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Human Resources