2020

WorkPac Christmas Pay Run Guide for 2020

BY: Stacie Hill01/12/2020

​“Tis the season to be jolly” and on that note, with Christmas fast approaching, you don’t want to be left wondering when you are going to receive your pay. To help with understanding the changes to pay processing days, WorkPac has placed a message on the bottom of your pay slip advising these details. These details can also be found below. 1.Pay Processing DatesWeek Commencing Monday 21st December 2020 Please ensure WorkPac has received your approved timesheet by 10am Monday 21st December 2020 to ensure it is processed on time. All pay runs will be processed as per normal. Week Commencing Monday 28th December 2020 Due to the Boxing Day Public Holiday, pays will be delayed by 1 working day with all pay runs processed on the 31st December 2020. Please ensure you submit your approved timesheet to WorkPac by 10am Tuesday 29th December 2020 at the very latest to ensure it is processed on time. The next pay run will be Monday 4th January 2021.​2.Understand your banks processing daysPays may also be delayed further with your bank due to public holidays, so be sure to contact them to find out how they approach transferring money on public holidays.​3.Talk to your recruitment CoordinatorIf you have any concerns regarding pay over the Christmas period, please get in touch with your WorkPac representative in advance by calling 1300 967 572. To stay up to date on when your local business centre is open during the holidays, please keep an eye out for our upcoming post on all business centre hours. ​We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

Dual Award Nomination, for Client Service and Best Back Office Team

BY: Tracey Mesken13/11/2020

Two of WorkPac’s teams are nominated for the TALiNT International Annual Recruitment Awards which is taking place between 4 – 5pm AEDT on Friday 13th November.The annual TALiNT Awards recognise the remarkable hard work, commitment, and sheer entrepreneurship in the Australian recruitment industry. This is an opportunity to win one of the most coveted and prestigious accolades in the sector.Our Project Services Recruitment team who manage recruitment for one of our largest clients, is nominated for the Client Service Award. The award recognises excellence and collaboration in the delivery of a talent acquisition project where you have worked side-by-side with a client fulfilling a specific requirement campaign.Karla Walton our Senior Site Manager based in Mackay explains, “the team have been nominated because they rose to an epic challenge by one of our largest clients during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.”“We were required to recruit hundreds of skilled and experienced mining workers locally within the Bowen Basin and surrounding region in the face of risks and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”“Thirteen Queensland mine sites remained completely operational throughout the peak of the pandemic, with the mobilisation of standby personnel when needed supplied by the WorkPac team.”The WorkPac Credit team have been nominated as a finalist for the Best Back Office Team Award.The Credit team are a vital part of the WorkPac business where each day, they convert sales into realised revenue and achieve outcome-focussed solutions for the business. What makes this team special is their unique culture and the strong partnerships built with WorkPac’s other teams, along with their genuine desire to continually improve and track their performance against metrics. One of the biggest tangible benefits delivered by this team is the reduction of WorkPac’s Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) by 12 days (a 29% reduction) which has had a significant, positive impact on monthly cash flow. The team have also achieved bad debt levels among the lowest in the Mining, Construction and Civil Engineering industries with only 0.05% of bad debts (industry average is approximately 2%).Our Head of Credit Doug Ventham explained, “the WorkPac Credit team are a true partner to our clients, recruitment operatives and managers. Through personal involvement with both our Business Managers and clients, we are able to resolve suitable trading terms in order to collect outstanding monies owed.” “We go to great lengths to understand how our clients want their invoices to be presented, in order to enable swift payment.”To further help deliver quantifiable benefits, the Credit team engaged with WorkPac’s Technology team to implement an invoicing bot to automatically develop invoices from payroll data and then check each invoice against approved timesheets and purchase orders for automated approval. The benefits of this new system have included a reduction in average payment times and greatly reduced administrative activity for both our Operations team and our clients.Through this understanding of the benefits that the team provide, and their support to maintain client relationships, the Credit team are appreciated by and have true synergy with their stakeholders across the business. WorkPac also congratulates all other nominees for the Awards, after a tough year, we are looking forward to celebrating digitally within our industry.

Movember - making a difference in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer!

BY: Tracey Mesken12/11/2020

​Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends face a health crisis that isn’t being talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent. This month all across WorkPac Group we are taking action and raising awareness on Men’s Health and some of the biggest health issues being faced by men, being; prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health and suicide prevention. It’s as simple as seeing your GP and arranging a routine blood test! – We encourage you to ask about PSA testing and arrange an examination if you notice any changes as early detection can lead to better health outcomes. We are proud to promote the Movember charity and encourage all our employees to become involved with the various events being run throughout the month, such as; ‘Grow a Mo’, ‘Move for Movember’ or ‘Host a Mo-ment’ please visit the website here https://au.movember.com/about/foundationto find out more about these great fund raising and awareness programs you can become involved with.We also encourage all our employees to reach out to the professional services below if you need mental health support services;  LifeLine 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636  https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-supportR U OK https://www.ruok.org.au/Gryphon Psychology 1800 056 076 https://gryphonpsych.com.au/portfolio-items/employee-assistance-program/FreeOn-line Risk Assessment: Please click on the link to access a free Men’s Health Prostate Risk Assessment via our partners at Maxwellplus+  - It only takes 3 minutes to complete andcould save your life  https://maxwellplus.com/risk/Additional Resources: Please also take the time to view some informative Video Links for: MentalHealth & Wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjQBuowaDKY&feature=youtu.be True NorthProstate & Testicular Cancer Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10u61DdJNaE&feature=youtu.be​

Congratulations to Latryce Pearse winner of our NAIDOC artwork competition

BY: Tracey Mesken10/11/2020

​Latryce Pearse a WorkPac Machine Operator at Rio Tinto Gove is the winner of the WorkPac’s inaugural National NAIDOC artwork competition. Her artwork ‘Arnhem Resilience’', illustrates how European contact challenged Indigenous people and tried to divide our communities.​The competition was a chance for talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who are employed by the WorkPac Group to be recognised across Australia. ​JobTrail General Manager Julian Genn explained, “To help WorkPac & JobTrail celebrate NAIDOC week we invited our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to submit artworks for the inaugural 2020 WorkPac National NAIDOC Artwork Competition.”​“The winning artist receives a $500 prize and the artwork has been used to create our 2020 WorkPac NAIDOC week shirt which will be worn by WorkPac staff across Australia.” ​“We are thrilled to congratulate our competition winner Latryce Pearse, a Machine Operator at Rio Tinto’s Gove Operations, said Mr Genn.​Latryce’s father is Yolngu from Nhulunbuy and her mother is Tahitian (French Polynesian). The local language in Nhulunbuy in Yolngu Matha. ​Ms Pearce explains “My favourite part of NAIDOC is that it gives Indigenous people the opportunity to showcase their talent from all around the country.” ​“I decided I wanted each piece of artwork to represent both sides of my Aboriginal & Polynesian heritage. ​“So I started to incorporate bright colours and traditional Indigenous symbols and patterns.​“I also love to use the acrylic pour method in some of my pieces to usually symbolise flowing rivers. ​“I get a lot of my inspiration from other Indigenous artists around Australia.”​Ms Pearce’s NAIDOC art represents how European contact challenged Indigenous people and tried to divide our communities. It shows that mother earth provided the rivers and medicine leaves to the people to provide healing and protection. Indigenous people have held it's strong culture, spirit and connection to the land and seas. "Always was Always will be" the healer and protector of the people.​Born in Nhulunbuy, Ms Pearce has also lived in Brisbane for 10 years, and Darwin for 3 years. ​“I came back home to Gove because it’s one of the best places in Australia in my opinion! ​‘I love the easy going lifestyle, I love fishing and camping, exploring the crystal clear beaches and islands. ​‘And I have a lot of family here from both sides, so I’m very lucky. ​Ms Pearce started working for WorkPac as a Machine Operator in July 2020.​She said “I love that [this job is] a new industry to what my previous roles have typically been (Admin / Accounts based) and that I’m learning a new skill!”​“I also love my roster, 4 days on 4 days off.”​NAIDOC events will be held virtually by WorkPac this year. The company will hold a national online event with guest speakers and performers.​The 2020 NADIOC theme: Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.​Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.​NAIDOC 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations.It’s about seeing, hearing, and learning the First Nations’ 65,000+ year history of this country - which is Australian history. We want all Australians to celebrate that we have the oldest continuing cultures on the planet and to recognise that our sovereignty was never ceded.​Learn more about NAIDOC https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/2020-theme​​

R U OK Day September 10

BY: Tracey Mesken09/09/2020

​10th September 2020 is a day set aside from others to remind us all the importance of checking in with colleagues, friends and family to as the questions “R U OK?”  At WorkPac we care about all our team members. We understand that life’s challenges can leave people feeling helpless, hopeless, afraid, disconnected and at genuine risk.  We consistently encourage all our employees to have open communications with their Managers and access the dedicated Employee Assistance Program services if they need additional support. Visit https://www.workpac.com/employee-assistance-programWe understand that positive actions in an open safe environment encourages engagement and can assist with improving health and wellbeing in the workplace.  A simple way to provide support is by genuinely asking “Are you OK?”  and be prepared to have regular meaningful conversations to help someone who might be struggling to feel supported when confronted with challenges in life whether at home, work, school or in sport.This year, we encourage everyone to keep promoting the importance of Work Health and Safety in your workplaces, looking out for one another and As always, if you need any additional information or support please reach out to your WorkPac Representative, Supervisor, Direct Manager & Regional Risk Manager.

2020 Tax Information

BY: Tracey Mesken03/07/2020

​WorkPac Group employees will receive either a Payment Summary via email or an Income Statement via their myGov account on or before the 14th of July. For most people, Payment Summary information (also known as a Group Certificate) will be available after the end of the financial year in their Australian Tax Office online services account through myGov and it will be called an ‘Income Statement’.We recommend that you check two things ASAP. 1) Please make sure you have created a myGov account. There’s a guide available here https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/online-help/create-mygov-account2) Please check your contact email address in myworkpac https://my.workpac.com/main/personal-details. If this email address is incorrect please contact your recruitment coordinator.

Why we need to reconcile and not just in accounting

BY: Chartered Accountants ANZ03/06/2020

​As National Reconciliation Week draws to a close our very own Financial Accountant Sam Roberts talks about why we need to reconcile, and not just in accounting! ​https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/why-we-need-to-reconcile-and-not-just-in-accounting

A Chance for Change – When Speaking Up is Manning Up

BY: Tracey Mesken20/03/2020

​We’re told to find our ‘passion’, follow a dream, discover a vocation in life.If it comes to you, then it’s a calling.That’s what happened to Central Queensland coal miner and WorkPac employee Ivan Mardones. Ivan faced his depression and anxiety demons and founded a not for profit charity named ‘A Chance for Change’ which promotes mental health amongst men.The process towards positive mental health for Ivan included finding a different way to express his values like love, loyalty and hard work.It is summed up in the organisation’s motto, where ‘speaking up’, unlike hardening up, ‘is manning up’.A Chance for Change gives men the opportunity to talk by creating familiarity in delivering services both on and off site, Ivan said.The group has 33 ambassadors on sites around the country, and a barbershop in East Brisbane called Stigma Cutz. A Brisbane based coffee shop called Stigma Cutz will also be opening soon.As a coal miner, Ivan found that despite the efforts to promote men’s mental health on so many levels, there was something missing at the ground level.“I've got different stages I'm working on in the strategic plan, to get to where we want to be. One of the key elements is social connection,” he said.“So, I thought if we create places where mundane things such as getting a haircut can become an experience of social connection, then we're one step closer to breaking those barriers that have formed over the last 50-100 years in this country.“And one of the little twists is having the Mental Health First Aid-certified barber.“… the barber can assess when someone's in need, or they've got no idea where to go for help; or someone needs to help someone else, but they don't know where to start. They can get that information while they're getting the haircut.”WorkPac is also fortunate that one of its clients, Chris Doherty, is an Ambassador at A Chance for Change.Preventable death is the lasting impression Chris took from 12 years as a volunteer State Emergency Service member working on the Queensland-New South Wales border.Chris entered the mining industry in Queensland and has since taken on a pro-active role in promoting positive mental health through his work as an ambassador for A Chance for Change.It was a chance to continue to make a contribution, Chris said.“I joined up (to the SES) as soon as I could, straight out of school, and was in it up until about 2012 when I started doing fly-in, fly-out,” Chris said.“One of the things that we did fairly often was body recoveries from the bush, and quite a number of the body recoveries were suicide victims.“… it moved me to want to try to help that side of things as well, …,  so I thought I'd volunteer my help somewhere else.”The group gave him the opportunity to help deliver services at the ground level, said Chris.“Oh man, a lot of the ones I've seen myself are just guys missing their children or missing out on family gatherings, family outings,” he said.“Guys just get lonely and bummed about it really and get down and withdraw into themselves a little bit, or get a little bit angrier than they usually are.“So yeah, it doesn't hurt to go, ‘hey man, you want to talk?’ and once someone's realised that you're willing to listen to them and listen to them without jumping in over the top of them and; that you're not judging them for who they are or anything like that.“You're just there as a set of ears for them and to try and help them. They're generally pretty open towards seeking help.”A Chance for Change had the full support of WorkPac in Townsville, said Townsville Business Centre Manager Elisabeth Kelemete.While WorkPachad processes in place for identifying and addressing mental health issues, there was always room for intervention said Lis.The business centre had donated $1000 through the WorkPac ‘GiveBack’ program to help A Chance for A Change set up the ‘Stigma Cutz’ barbershop in Brisbane.The ambassadors were welcomed at toolbox meetings and pre-starts to promote the service and had already made their presence felt among staff, she said.As a WorkPac employee, you can access free psychology through our Employee Assistance Program. To make an appointment, call the 24/7 number 1800 056 076. You can learn more here.Alternatively, there are other services you can reach out to:Lifeline has a 24-hour crisis line that you can call for support, and many valuable resources are available on their website. You can call on 13 11 14 or visit their website here: Beyond Blue also have a 24-hour line you can reach on 1300 22 4636, and their website offers plenty of advice and information:  

COVID-19 COMMUNICATION UPDATES

BY: Tracey Mesken 11/03/2020

​Please follow the link below for general updates on COVID-19 communications for WorkPac Group employees.workpac.com/covid19For site specific COVID-19 updates for WorkPac Group employees, please login to myworkpac and visit the following linkhttps://my.workpac.com/main/covid-19At the WorkPac Group, the health and wellbeing of our people remains our top priority. There is no cause for panic. We are monitoring and assessing the situation daily and we are taking a considered, risk-based approach to managing our response and actions.Please consult with your recruitment coordinator if you have questions relating to your personal circumstances.

Do you, or someone you know, have a super balance less than $6,000? Read on!

BY: Tracey Mesken06/03/2020

​New Federal government legislation - the ­Putting Members’ Interests First Bill – will come into effect on 1 April 2020. Building on the Protecting Your Super Package 2019, this legislation is in addition to the Protecting Your Super Package (PYSP) legislation which was designed to protect members' super savings from unnecessary erosion by insurance premiums.The PMIF legislation will prevent super funds from providing automatic (known as ‘opt-out’) insurance to members who:are under 25 years old and begin to hold a new product on or after 1 April 2020, orhave an account balance under $6,000.The legislation will force funds to cancel insurance cover for members with balances of less than $6,000, unless you as the member communicates to your fund in writing that you wish to keep your insurance cover. This could mean that you – or someone you know – may no longer be covered in the event of claim.If you have recently received communication from your super fund, you are encouraged to review it.  Please ensure that you check the email address you have registered with your super fund – including your Junk mail folders – and review any messages you might have received.You can read more about these PMIF changes at Sunsuper here or contact your superannuation fund if you are with another provider. You should consider your personal circumstances before making a decision.