Public servants working at Geoscience Australia in Canberra are reportedly not keen on an open-plan office that's been proposed as part of their $17.5 million building refurbishment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nearly 600 employees are housed at the facility on the corner of Jerrabomberra Avenue and Hindmarsh Drive.
The Public Works Committee met Friday to review submissions on the project, including one from the main public sector union.
A letter signed by CPSU deputy secretary Beth Vincent-Pietsch recommends reconsidering the open-plan office.
The submission notes the proposed refurbishment involves shifting executive level-two (EL2) staff from private offices to an open-plan work area.
"EL2 staff members are senior public servants, with managerial and security responsibilities," the submission says.
"Moving these staff members to the open office area will likely represent a substantial change to the way these workers do their jobs; and importantly will create challenges with respect to sensitively and discretely managing information.
"Geoscience Australia staff advise that research work is conducted most productively in a quiet environment, and the movement of more staff into the open office area is likely to impact on their access to a quiet working environment for research activities."
The CPSU also expresses concern at a proposed reduction in the floorspace used by staff.
"Geoscience Australia has historically attempted to seek sub-tenants to share the building, and has been unsuccessful," the submission says.
"Should it not be possible to secure a sub-tenant, staff may suffer cramped conditions for no tangible reason beyond satisfying a bureaucratic guideline."
The other concerns related to work-health safety issues and a call to repair and paint water-damaged ceilings.
The committee is required to report as quickly as possible on the cost-effectiveness of the agency's proposal.
Geoscience Australia wants work to begin in May.
