Note: under the current circuit breaker lockdown, where it is operationally viable to perform your role remotely, you should do so. However, remote working arrangements must be approved by your manager.
Last week, David Ballantyne, Executive Director, Capital and Infrastructure, provided an update on the Working Remotely project during the Employee Forum (25 May 2021).
A number of pilot spaces for shared working have been identified in E-Block at Clayton and at the Scoresby site. While we will be looking at other sites into the future, these two locations have been identified as the priority sites for the pilot program.
Monash Health has engaged with architects who have extensive experience in contemporary workplace settings to create a design brief for these pilot spaces. We will then be looking at how we translate this across Monash Health.
We are currently working through which teams will likely use these spaces in the future. The initial phase of the brief to the architects will involve workshops with potential users of the proposed shared workspaces. Feedback from these sessions will inform the designs for these spaces. It is anticipated that the designs will be finalised in July, allowing any construction works to commence shortly thereafter once funding and approval is obtained. Once created, these pilot spaces will enable Monash Health to better determine the longer term needs of employees and teams that are likely users of shared or hot desk spaces.
Monash Health recognises the benefits of providing flexible working arrangements and supports working remotely where it is safe and practical to do so. Working remotely is a new and different environment for many employees and managers. To help, a set of tools and checklists have been developed. This includes:
- Working Remotely Procedure
- Working remotely OHS self-assessment checklist
- Working Remotely agreement
- Working Remotely page (FAQs and resources)
Employees are asked to review the Working Remotely procedure on Prompt. They should then assess their remote working environment and complete the OHS self-assessment checklist, which is also found on Prompt. Safety induction training and Office Ergonomics training courses have been set up on Latte which should also be completed and checked off on the OHS self-assessment checklist. Make sure you have this document ready for when you meet with your manager about working remotely and agree on a plan including days on-site and days working remotely. Employees will then be asked to complete and sign the Working Remotely agreement.
Once completed, email agreements and/or queries to: workingremotely@monashhealth.org
It is up to the manager to assess the appropriateness and ability of the role to be worked remotely. It is a requirement that all employees must still come in to the office regularly for collaborative events, team meetings, performance appraisals and/or other reasons as required by the manager. These agreements can be reviewed at any stage between the manager and the employee and should be regularly assessed to ensure that the arrangement is working.
The IT working group is working on a standardised equipment package for eligible employees. Further updates will follow at a later date.
A list of available workspaces (with computers) and meeting rooms at our main sites can be found on the Working Remotely page: https://coronavirus.monashhealth.org/employees/working-remotely/
Approved by Stuart Donaldson and David Ballantyne