Public Service Workplace Developments,Challenges, Gains and Weaknesses

1. Public Service Workplace Developments,Challenges, Gains and Weaknesses MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW • Vision and Mission of the Impact&Action Project • Program of Action April 2001 • Key Elements of the Public Service HIV\AIDS Implementation Strategy 2002-4 • Communications Campaign Tender and Way forward • Public Service Regulations and Outline of the Workplace Manual ,Guide Development on HIV/AIDS in PS, general response on consultation • Policy Development (PSCBC HIV\AIDS Workplace Policy)

3. IMPACT & ACTION PROJECT Conceptual response of the Minister for Public Service and Administration, Minister GJ Fraser-Moleketi as early as 2000, as a response from the employer perspective within the context of the (IMC) Inter-Ministerial Committee on HIV\AIDS, SANAC(South African National AIDS Council) VISION : To have a well informed and supportive public service where HIV\AIDS is effectively managed GOAL: To ensure that the public service is able to sustain a quality service in spite of the progression of HIV\AIDS in South Africa

4. PROGRAMME OF ACTION 2001 Background of this document was from the I&A Project Document that later led to the Impact Study Phase, and Response Phase, Monitoring\Quality Assurance Phase by the Minister through DPSA, SAMDI and PSC.. Targeted Outcomes for 2OO1\2002 and Achievements thereof • Policy and Legislation • Workplace Policy Framework and Minimum Standards • National Strategy on Human Resource Development(HRD) to include HIV\AIDS • Research on Medical Assistance&Pensions the Public Service • PSCBC Agreements • Workplace program and policy for DPSA& SAMDI to pilot ’best practices’ and to develop monitoring and evaluation tools to be tested

5. Program of Action of 2001 cont.. • Establishment of the training program\course for managers and supervisors by SAMDI • Effective learning Forums and networks creation to support policy implementation, minimum standards and workplace programs- national and provincial departments • To put HIV\AIDS in the public service workplace on the Agenda of FOSAD and Cabinet through our Minister and DG • Establish and support the workplace focussed Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) pilot sites, or Comprehensive Workplace Health Services Program

6. Key elements of the Public Service HIV\AIDS I.S. • Situational Analysis and the Role of the Ministry • Targeted outcomes and achievement\Outline Progress has been made on Workplace Policy Framework, Conditions of Service,legislation review,Learning Networks and Sharing of Best Practice(Capacity Building Training&Support)

7. Key Elements of the I.S. cont • Challenges to the Project Integration to broader functional areas of DPSA and the Ministry Our role in SANAC as a sector and the political dynamics Operationalising Policies and Programs that we have proposed in the Manual, PSR, e.g. demand on ( HIV\AIDS Committees, EAP’s, Special Programs etc) - Partnerships with the Private Sector (SABCOHA), local government Maximizing the drive, speed to ensure sustenance of quality service delivery whilst noting the threat of HIV/AIDS e.g.(HR’s readiness to prepare for scarce skills retention, succession planning, transfer of knowledge and skills for continuity etc.)

8. Key Elements of I.S More employees who are sick More employees who die • Higher rates of absenteeism • Higher no of employees who require medical treatment = additional costs • Additional strain & workload on those who remain • Lower productivity • Higher turnover rates • Higher recruitment & HRD costs • Higher pension costs • Lower morale

9. Key Elements of the I.S. MAIN FOCAL AREAS • Institution Building • Consultation and co-ordination mechanism • Facilitation Policy Implementation • Monitoring and Evaluation • Project’s Operational Plan

10. COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TENDER Purpose and Key objectives • Political and administrative leaders of govt. depts • Organized labour • General Public,opinion formers and community stakeholders • Public Servants Deliverables • Communication Strategy • Action Plan • Budget • Implementation\Actual Campaign • Final Report

11. COMMUNICATIONS TENDER Methodology Structure: Project Manager;Project Steering Committee- document reviews-informant interviews,focus group discussions , consultative process widely and strategically etc. Phase 1: Research and Consultation, Phase 2: Approval, Phase 3: Implementation, Phase 4: Project Closure Duration \ Time-Frame Predicted to last three to four months at least subject to the action plan of the potential service provider Evaluation Criteria: *possibility of approaching National Treasury for special deviations on specific aspects

12. PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATIONS AND WORKPLACE MANUAL GUIDE UPDATES • Key process features of the Amendments to the PSR Approval Gazzeted Publicized and promoted (Who, How, When ,to whom?) Facilitation of implementation process\ roll-up \kick start • Focus elements , implications and interpretation Occupational Exposure- (Compensation Commissioner?) READY!!,proof of the facts, validation, remedy\prevention(High risk groups) Procedure for case handling(PS Disciplinary Procedure, Grievance Procedure?) CONFIDENTIALITY!!! Public Service Protocol and Ethical Code on the Management of VCT (National Dept Health Policy Framework?) ALL I NCLUSIVE!!

13. WORKPLACE MANUAL DEVELOPMENT • Where are we? Draft has been developed and = consulted through Workshops: KZN, EC, GTG, MP, NW, all National Govt Depts Kalefong Hospital, GTG(Med. Superintended), Westville Prison, KZN( HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator), Daimler-Chrysler, EC(AIDS Co-ordinator), SAPS , Limp-Nylstroom(Senior-Superintended& Head of Helping Professionals),Land Affairs- Deeds Office, PTA(Controller & AIDS Co-ordinator) + formal Informant Interviews through personal visits using a Questionnaire

14. WORKPLACE MANUAL cont... • Manual Outlines and Chapters Introduction to the Guide Introduction to HIV\AIDS in the PS Governing Framework( Responses& legislation, Policy and Structures) Development, Management, Implementation ,Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/AIDS Workplace Responses( Management & Individuals’ Roles and Responsibilities,Compliance with the PSR, Workplace Programs, How develop a policy, structures and committees ,

15. POLICY DEVELOPMENT PSCBC • Most interesting process indeed whereby common interest and service delivery issues were prioritized • Characteristics of success in this process by all players: patience, dedication, constructive debate, tenacity, commitment to time-frames, objectivity,quality product,learning Key Areas of this Workplace Policy Framework: • Binding Agreement to all Parties(Employer & Organized labor) • Preamble • Mission and Vision • Definitions of Terms • Scope of Application • Wellness Programs , and the Training Framework • Legal Framework, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

16. POLICY DEVELOPMENT(cont) Attached Appendixes • SADC Code on HIV\AIDS and Employment • Employment Equity Act -Code of Good Practice (Labour, RSA)

17. KEY ELEMNETS OF THE I .S., THE COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN TENDER,PSR APPROVAL • I. S (Implementation Strategy) 3 Strategic focal Areas: Institution Building, Consultation and Cordination mechanisms, Facilitating Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Operational Plan • Workplace committees will provide vehicle for constructive engagement and effective partnerships at departmental level • Shop stewards should be trained on their roles/responsibilities as peer-educators • DaimlerChrysler is a shining example of what can be done to turn the pandemic around through active involvement of union leaders and shop stewards • We should share ideas on the possibility of organising joint briefing sessions to management/union reps - funding can be obtained • Unions will also play critical role in sectoral initiatives (e.g. Safety and Security, Education, Health and Welfare) • At central level, key challenge is to conclude effective agreements on medical assistance and pension. Improved ill health management system also to be introduced a.s.a.p…DPSA will involve unions in national information exchange/learning initiatives (e.g. annual HIV/AIDS Indabas)