AP836954 - Medibank Private Limited Award 2004
PART 3 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
11. PROCEDURES FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTATION
11.1.1 In the event of a dispute arising in the workplace, the procedure to be followed to resolve the matter will be as follows:
11.1.1(a) the employee and their supervisor will meet and confer on the matter (noting that separate company policy exists for managing individual grievances or conflict which should ordinarily be followed in the first instance); and
11.1.1(b) If the matter is not resolved at such a meeting, the parties will arrange for further discussions between the employee and their nominee, if any, and more senior levels of management; and
11.1.1(c) at any time during steps 11.1.1(a) and 11.1.1(b) the employee/s may choose to be represented by the relevant union delegate/official or other employee representative.
11.1.2 If the matter is still not resolved, a discussion will be held between representatives of the employee and MPL.
11.1.3 If the matter cannot be resolved, either party may refer the matter to the AIRC and be dealt with within the full range of the AIRC’s powers.
11.1.4 While the parties attempt to resolve the matter, work will continue as normal unless an employee has a reasonable concern about an imminent risk to his or her health and safety.
11.2 Leave of absence to attend proceedings
11.2.1 Where the provisions of 11.1.1 and 11.1.2 have been complied with, and to assist in the resolution of the matter, the union delegate/employee representative referred to in 11.1.1(c) will be granted leave of absence to attend AIRC proceedings arising from referral of the matter in 11.1.3.
11.2.2 A union delegate/employee representative granted leave of absence under 11.2.1 will not suffer any loss of pay.
11.3 Leave of absence to attend courses
To assist in the resolution of disputes in an agency a union delegate/employee representative, referred to in 11.1.1(c), will be granted leave of absence to attend short courses conducted by a recognised training provider which are specifically directed towards effective dispute resolution. The granting of leave will be subject to the operating requirements of MPL.
11.3.1 The specific training course will be agreed between MPL and the individual employee.
11.3.2 A union delegate/employee representative granted leave of absence under this clause will not suffer any loss of pay.
To facilitate communication between employees and/or employee representatives at the workplace, the employer will permit the use of notice boards, provided that such communication is not offensive or improper.
