Ambulance Victoria review – Update 2 (28 January 2021)

28 January 2021

Hello

I am pleased to begin 2021 with an update on the Commission’s Independent review into workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria (see Terms of Reference).

What’s happening with the review?

Since my last update, the research methodology that we developed for the review has received ethics approval.

This important initial milestone means that we are confident that we have put in place safe and confidential pathways for you to share your experiences with us. It also means that we can now begin engaging with you all.

How do I share my experiences?

We have set up a range of safe, confidential and independent pathways for you. This includes contributing via an online survey, written submissions, interviews and focus groups (see our website for detailed information).

1. Online survey: Current and former employees/first responders/volunteers are able to complete a confidential online survey between mid-February and mid-March. In mid-February, current employees/first responders/volunteers will automatically receive a unique link to the survey. Former employees/first responders/volunteers need to register their interest in completing the survey by emailing us at AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au, following which you will receive a unique link to the survey. Survey responses will be kept confidential.
2. Written submissions: Current and former employees/first responders/volunteers can make a written submission using our online web form or by emailing the submission to AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au. A short guide to completing a written submission is available on our website. All submissions will be kept confidential and will not be published. We will receive written submissions up until COB on Monday, 31 May.
3. Interviews: Current and former employees/first responders/volunteers can share their experiences via a confidential interview with our independent staff. Interviews will take place in person, online and via telephone between 10 February and 31 May (subject to COVID-19 guidelines). To register for an interview, please contact our dedicated hotline from 1 February (1300 395 726) or email us at AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au.
4. Focus groups: The Commission will host a series of  confidential and voluntary focus groups for employees and first responders/volunteers between 1 April and 31 May. Further information about these focus groups will be available shortly.

How do I register to participate?

If you do want to participate, please register you interest via our dedicated hotline (1300 395 726) or email address (AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au). Our telephone hotline opens at 10am on 1 February.

Our staff will then contact you to confirm how you’d like to participate and will make appropriate arrangements. If you’ve already registered your interest, our staff will reach out to you shortly.   

A note on the survey: Only former employees/first responders/volunteers wanting to complete the online survey need to register their interest with the Commission. Current personnel will automatically receive a unique link to the survey in mid-February.

I want to participate, but am concerned about my privacy and confidentiality

Your privacy is one of our key concerns.

All methods of participation are confidential and only authorised Commission staff will have access to your names and contact details.

The information you provide to us will only be used for research purposes to inform the review and allow us to contact you in relation to your participation. No identifying details will be passed on to AV or published.

We will publish a final report at the end of the review that details our findings and recommendations. It will contain de-identified information only. We will publish the final report on our website and provide a copy to AV.

Detailed information about how the Commission will use and store your information and our consent processes is available on our website.

What happens if I’ve signed a non-disclosure agreement?

To enable as many people as possible to come forward and share their experiences, AV has issued a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). You can download a copy of this waiver on the Commission’s website.

Is the Commission acting independently of AV?

The Commission is an independent statutory agency.

Under the Equal Opportunity Act, we can conduct an independent review to determine whether or not a duty holder’s programs and practices comply with the Act. We must receive a request to conduct an independent review. This is what AV has asked us to do.

Once we receive a request and agree the scope of the review, we are responsible for conducting the review. This includes collecting and analysing evidence, determining findings, developing any recommendations for change and developing and publishing the final report of the review. This work is completed independently of the duty holder, in this case, AV.

Can I participate in the review and make a complaint?

If you share your experiences with us, we will use this information to identify broad themes that will inform the findings and recommendations in our final report.

It is important to understand that participating in the review is not the same as making a formal complaint under the Equal Opportunity Act. For this reason, the Commission will not make any findings about your individual experiences of discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and/or bullying as part of the review.

Separate to the review, however, you can make a complaint under the Equal Opportunity Act, using the Commission’s Dispute Resolution Service – it’s free, fair and timely. Call 1300 292 153 for more information.

Making a complaint now will not prevent you from participating in the review, nor will participating in the review prevent you from making a complaint at a later point.

How do I get more information about the review?

You can attend online information and Q+A sessions about the review on 5 February, 8 February and/or 10 February. More details will be available on our website shortly, including on how to register.

You can also contact the Commission about the review via our dedicated telephone hotline from 1 February (1300 395 726) and email address (AVreview@veohrc.vic.gov.au). You can also read more about the review online.

I look forward to engaging with you as the review shifts into this important new phase. My commitment to you is that the Commission will provide you with safe, confidential and independent pathways to share your experiences and shape the future of AV.

Take care

Kristen Hilton
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner