ACC staff bearing the brunt of on-going political storm

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PSA MEDIA RELEASE

15th June 2012 - For Immediate Use

ACC staff bearing the brunt of on-going political storm

ACC staff are hoping that any new leadership will not result in radical change and more restructuring, according to the Public Service Association.

The on-going political storm around ACC has resulted in the resignations of two Board members, the Board Chair and the Chief Executive and continues to undermine confidence in ACC and its work.

“In the end it’s frontline staff who pay the price for that lack of confidence as they try and work with clients and meet the needs of claimants,” says PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.

“They have been working in a very pressured environment with unprecedented levels of political and media scrutiny, while at the same time trying to implement a wide-ranging reform programme.”

Brenda Pilott says there are already high levels of restructuring fatigue among ACC staff and they believe that the valuable work they do for thousands of injured New Zealanders is being undermined by constant change and controversy.

“Staff felt that they were moving in the right direction with management and were taking positive steps towards improvement. What wouldn’t be helpful is for new leadership to come in and set a radical new course which would result in sudden change and yet more restructuring.”

“They are very keen to work with any new management and support the organisation to do what it needs to ensure that it can best serve the interest of its clients,” Brenda Pilott says.

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