PSA MEDIA RELEASE

22nd June 2012 - For Immediate Use

ACC needs to rethink performance-based pay system

The Public Service Association says that in the past ACC has consistently rejected attempts to negotiate a fairer, more transparent pay system for staff.

The current political debate around performance-based targets for ACC staff only serves to illustrate the difficulties performance based pay systems create and shows they have no place in the public sector,” says PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.

“The PSA is working with ACC to develop a new remuneration system which recognises the difficulties with performance pay. There needs to be a clearer and fairer system.”

Claims that staff are receiving bonuses for getting claimants off ACC’s books are not accurate and only serve to undermine their work.

“Staff are doing their best to provide a quality service and focus on appropriate rehabilitation, treatment and training to get people back into work.”

Frontline ACC staff are already under a lot of pressure due to the intense political scrutiny, constant restructuring, and top-level management changes.

“It’s disappointing for them to now have their commitment and work ethic being questioned. They are being put in a position where they have to defend themselves against suggestions their work is driven by performance pay and targets,” Brenda Pilott says.

ENDS

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