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Ambulance Victoria review – Update 11 (4 November 2021)

The first volume of our independent review into workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria is being finalised and will be delivered on 30 November 2021. It will detail our findings and recommendations in relation to safety, respect and trust within the organisation.

4 November 2021

Hi everyone

I’m pleased to provide the eleventh update on the Commission’s Independent review into workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria.

Since my last update, my team and I have worked to finalise the first volume of the final report.

As a quick reminder, in my last update, I let you know that we will deliver the final report in two volumes.

Volume I will be delivered on 30 November 2021 and will detail our findings and recommendations in relation to safety, respect and trust. This will include the Commission’s findings in relation to:

  • the nature, extent, drivers and impacts of discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and victimisation at Ambulance Victoria
  • how safe and respected AV’s employees and first responders feel in the workplace
  • the adequacy of AV’s response to reports and complaints of unlawful conduct.

This volume will also set out the Commission’s recommendations with respect to the immediate steps that AV can take to improve safety, respect and trust within the organisation.

Volume II, to be delivered in March 2022, will detail our findings and recommendations in relation to equality, fairness and inclusion within the organisation. This will include the Commission’s findings and recommendations related to:

  • equal representation, pay and progression
  • flexibility, accessibility, support for parents and carers, and transition-to-retirement
  • organisational capability, leadership development and continuous improvement.

As I shared in my last message, the Commission asked to deliver the report in two volumes to ensure we could properly consider all the information provided by the larger-than-anticipated number of employees and first responders who shared their experiences and views with us. This challenge was also complicated by the significant ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Commission’s operations – an impact that we know continues to be felt by all at Ambulance Victoria.

My team may have been in touch with you over the last few weeks to ask for your consent to use a de-identified quote or a case study from your interviews, submissions and participation in focus groups. While we are not able to do complete justice to all of those who came forward to share their stories with us, every experience that has been shared has shaped the Commission’s findings and the pathway forward. That you would so generously share your stories with us and allow us to draw on them for quotes and case studies in the final report, is demonstrative of your courage and the immense care you have for making Ambulance Victoria a better place to work.

Additionally, my team and I have consulted with Ambulance Victoria’s Board and Executive Committee on the key findings and recommendations in Volume I. We have also spoken with and consulted other key stakeholders, including the Department of Health, WorkSafe, unions and professional associations and the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector. They have also generously shared their time, expertise and thoughts with us to help us to refine our proposed solutions and recommendations.

Volume I will go into production next week. This means that our analysis and recommendations will be finalised, and the report will be carefully designed and printed. We are continuing to work on Volume II in the meantime.

I look forward to presenting our findings and recommendations (which is only possible because of the stories and suggestions for change that you all entrusted us with). I will be in touch again before we deliver Volume I on 30 November to provide you with some further details.

I hope you are all safe and well.

Take care

Ro Allen
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner

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The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission acknowledges that we work on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We also work remotely and serve communities on the lands of other Traditional Custodians.

We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.