Agency programs and initiatives and their effectiveness and efficiency Program name Indicators of performance/effectiveness/efficiency Comments Completed the EOC Independent Review into Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Predatory Behaviour in South Australia Police (SAPOL) The final report on the Review was released by the EOC in December 2016. It included 38 recommendations to improve the safety and wellbeing of SAPOL staff across six key areas including leadership, workforce management, training and development, flexible workplace cultures, dispute resolution and complaints, and wellbeing and support services. All recommendations were accepted for implementation by SAPOL. The EOC has been commissioned by SAPOL to independently monitor and report on their progress in implementing these 38 recommendations over a three-year period. This monitoring program begun planning phase in May 2017, and outcomes cannot be assessed in this reporting period. Sex discrimination, sexual harassment and predatory behaviour are broader social issues that affect all areas of society. SAPOL provides a vital service in keeping South Australians safe. To ensure the best possible service to the community, SAPOL must also ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff, of which 32% are women. The SAPOL Commissioner, Grant Stevens, and his leadership team have made a commitment to identify opportunities to improve their practices to ensure the culture in SAPOL is positive and inclusive. This project also allowed for effective collaboration and between agencies.
EOC and University of Adelaide PhD program The University of Adelaide and the EOC have launched a unique PhD program to help tackle key workplace and cultural equity issues facing South Australia. The PhD program will include a stipend scholarship for up to four years, as well as an internship in the EOC, with academic supervision and fortnightly one-one-one meetings with the Commissioner. The unique internship and industry experience will be offered to up to five students from 2018. Performance, effectiveness and efficiency not assessed in this reporting period. This program aims to tackle key workplace and cultural equity issues and injustices facing South Australia. The new partnership will have a genuine impact on studying and addressing important human rights and equal opportunities issues facing the State and students will be encouraged to examine areas such as alternative dispute resolution, flexible working arrangements, gender pay gaps, the effects of workplace diversity, accommodating workers impacted by domestic violence and barriers to employment to Aboriginal employees. Legal Advice Clinic with the Adelaide University Law School The EOC is currently collaborating with the University of Adelaide to set up a “pop up” legal advice service for the community to assist with identification of equal opportunity and discrimination issues, referral to other resources or supports, preparation of documents, and preparation for Tribunal hearing. Performance, effectiveness and efficiency not assessed in this reporting period. This program will support people who are often disadvantaged or ill equipped to cope with the challenge of legal process. The clinic will provide understanding to clients about process, help clients to develop confidence in navigating process, and provide “backup” support as needed to the EOC. This aims to empower people to access the justice system. Clinics also help to identify systemic discrimination issues. This can help with law reform and the development of educational materials.