The ASU has now met with Publicis management and can communicate the following.
Consultation
The ASU notes that Publicis has an obligation at law to consult around organisational change. The obligation extends to consultation around minimising the need for redundancies. Such might include joint identification of redeployment opportunities or alternative cost saving measures.
Whilst the ASU was informed of the need for change, it was not consulted about the nature of proposed changes. At this time the ASU has learnt of a proposal to reduce staff numbers and been informed of process around selection of staff to new positions.
The ASU intends to ensure that Publicis make the process as fair and as transparent as possible.
What we know:
- The RAP and ACE departments are to be amalgamated.
- Team leader numbers will be decreased from 14 to 6 or 7.
- Team leaders will be responsible for approximately 20 staff.
- Temporary support roles will become available.
- From other management staff 4 employees have accepted redundancy packages.
Process
Publicis intends to undertake a “Spill and Fill” procedure. Management propose to relieve each team leader of his or her position and have them sit an interview for one of the ‘new’ Team Leader positions.
Interviews are to take place on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Candidates are to be notified of the outcome on Wednesday 6th August.
Interviewers will assess candidates according to the following criteria,
- Team Performance Data 20%
- Reports from direct manager 30%
- Responses to Behavioural Questions 50%
The ASU’s view
The ASU has asked Publicis that it provide an opportunity to affected employees to request a voluntary redundancy. The ASU believes it would be unfair to force all Team Leaders to interview, knowing that it may then end up that some employees wishing to leave are forced to stay whilst other employees desperate to stay get made redundant.
Further, by seeking Voluntary Redundancies before any interview process, it might happen that a sufficient number of employees eliminate themselves from the competition for jobs. This would avoid the interview process and significantly reduce the amount of stress experienced by all.
What next:
The ASU will continue to negotiate for a two stage process.
- A request for Volunteers.
- An interview process if and only if necessary.
What about everybody else
The ASU can confirm that the contract has now been signed with Qantas. This means that budgets are now known and, except as by natural attrition, all other roles are safe for the time being.
Should you have any other concerns or would like information about joining the ASU, don’t hesitate to contact ASU Organiser for Publicis Loyalty, Andy Lewis.