About 250 staff members at TasTAFE have ranked stress as a number one factor that lead to negative outcomes in their roles, an internal employee survey has revealed.
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The staff survey, conducted in November, shows about 50 per cent of participants ranked stress as a major factor. The survey had 505 respondents.
The survey documents were obtained by Fairfax Tasmania as allegations of nepotism and long-term cultural problems are raised about the government-funded education institution.
It is unclear what cohort of staff responded to the survey and if that included management.
A summary of outcomes from the survey reveals low ratings for positive job outcomes, with only 30 per cent responding they had role clarity and satisfaction in their positions.
A graph of causal outcomes relating to the culture of TasTAFE revealed more than 90 per cent of staff had issues with organisational bases of power within the institution.
Employee involvement in decision-making ranked low in the survey, with 10 per cent of respondents saying they received it.
However, despite stress being a major factor, 60 per cent of respondents indicated their intention to stay with the organisation and in their positions.
Allegations of nepotism have arisen after the release of an Integrity Commission report from a complaint made to the independent ombudsman in February.
The report alleged former chief executive Stephen Conway of favouritism in the process of hiring senior executive Lori Hocking.
The report was released in Parliament on May 23. Mr Conway resigned from his position prior to the release of the report.
The state government then announced an independent audit of the TasTAFE recruitment process.
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said in a statement on May 23 the state government took the allegations seriously and would develop a new induction process for board members.
The Tasmanian branch of the Education Union has written to the Premier to conduct a full investigation.
AEU Tasmania TasTAFE division president Damien von Samorzewski said the government had failed to act on these long-term issues.
“We have been concerned about the culture for some time and this has been raised with managers and also identified in internal TasTAFE reports but the government has failed to act,” he said.
An education department spokesperson said it had been aware of concerns raised by TasTAFE staff through the union and it was working with the state government to address any concerns to support staff.
“My focus, as it has always been, is on the future of TasTAFE – an organisation that is integral to Tasmania’s future in providing the skills needed for our growing workforce,” Mr Rockliff said.
A code of conduct complaint against Mr Conway was filed by the Premier but will not proceed due to his resignation.
Ms Hocking is on annual leave and it is unclear if any action will be taken against her.