After extensive assessment, terms were successfully agreed with OSA for Office Services, and KFPW for Property and Facilities Management. Through a select tender process, PricewaterhouseCoopers was identified as the preferred tenderer for Human Resources, and contracts were successfully negotiated. Under the guidance of the Year 2000 Steering Committee, chaired by the Departmental Secretary, excellent progress has been made in addressing the full spectrum of Y2K-related issues. It is estimated that all Year 2000 work required for business critical systems, including testing and contingency planning, will be completed by September 1999. An integrated, performance-based approach to human resource management has been an ongoing focus in 1998 99.
Remuneration includes a substantial component of performance-based salary.
Direct engagement with staff is a key feature of DOFA's employment framework. As part of DOFA's partnering arrangements, several staff exchanges have been undertaken with organisations such as IBM and Credit Suisse First Boston Australia Limited. This experience increased the management and leadership skills of participants. This year DOFA also developed a Longer Term Incentive Plan, to take effect from 1999 2000. This DOFA strategy seeks to retain key staff in the face of strong competition from other employers.