Work and Income services in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty will not be affected by a regional review that will cut 35 positions.
The government review announced yesterday does not affect WINZ service centre or frontline staff.
WINZ's proposal to see 35 fewer roles in its 11 regional headquarters will not affect frontline staff.
'In fact Work and Income frontline roles have been boosted by 500 staff as a result of the October and July Welfare Reform changes,” says national commissioner Carl Crafar.
'The proposal affects back-office structures and functions in WINZ's 11 regional headquarters.”
Carl says the proposal will mean a total of 35 fewer roles in its regional offices but because of current vacancies, it will not translate to 35 job losses.
He says affected staff were advised about this earlier this week.
'The review's about ensuring regional offices best support Work and Income's client-facing staff, now and in the future, in working directly with people who need our assistance.
'This includes looking at reporting lines and the type of back-office roles and positions that are currently in place.”
Work and Income last reviewed its regional structures 10 years ago.
Since then, Carl says the organisation, the client population and the way they work with people has changed, meaning new positions have been created and some older positions are no longer needed.
'The review's expected to be completed by the end of the year and we are consulting with staff about the proposed changes.
'Commencing this review now means we can allow an appropriate amount of time for our staff to consider and respond to the proposal while ensuring the review is complete this year.”
Carl says welfare reform implementation has gone smoothly and the latest proposal will not impact on frontline staff's ability to continue to deliver it.
'The proposal will mean a total of 35 fewer roles in the 11 regional offices across New Zealand but because of current vacancies, does not necessarily mean that 35 people won't have a job.”
4 comments
Translated to Truth
Posted on 26-07-2013 12:01 | By Disappointed
Could it possibly be that the lack of full-time positions, the loss of hundreds of jobs resulting from PSA, and the dearth of substantial new employers in the WBOP have some bearing on the need to keep local WINZ offices at full strength?
maggieanne
Posted on 26-07-2013 13:27 | By maggieanne
Delighted to hear that none of the staff at the Winz super centre in Tauranga are having to leave as they are fantastic and do a great job.
untitled
Posted on 26-07-2013 15:05 | By Maria M
would it be funny to see your old case manager in the line at wins to get help....
Trying to make a living
Posted on 27-07-2013 01:48 | By HolySpirit
WINZ staff are just people like the rest of us trying to make a living and support their families. Just because they have to make decisions that can affect the handout payments that people get doesn't make them the devil. Glad to hear more people wont be joining the growing queue of unemployed that John Key and his buddy Little Simon in Tauranga are creating.
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