Principal Workplace Champions (PWCs) are an integral part of Our People Matter and the QPS Volunteer Network.  The PWC is essentially the link between management and staff for the purpose of giving life to the strategy.  PWC’s are QPS members who are trained to assist and support their colleagues and to assist local management to achieve positive outcomes in each of the four priorities (healthy bodies, healthy minds, safer workplaces, fair and positive workplaces).

PWC’s relate to colleagues by virtue of a common working environment and experience. They work in conjunction with their QPS Safety and Wellbeing Advisor and with support of Communications, Culture and Engagement and Safety & Wellbeing.

The PWC will:

• Ensure reporting requirements are met;
• Provide the necessary level of influence to achieve buy in and ensure participation from both management and staff;
• Promote staff awareness of OPM initiatives, projects, policies and processes;
• Assist Workplace Champions in the course of their role;
• Develop the governance framework for the program;
• Chair the local Our People Matter committee and
• Actively manage the Workplace Champion network within their area.

A Workplace Champion is the advocate for the strategy, promoting and co-ordinating activities at a local level, with assistance and support from their PWC, Communications, Culture and Engagement and Safety & Wellbeing.

The Workplace Champion will be the point of contact and voice for their area of responsibility.  The Workplace Champion will seek out programs, initiatives and activities to implement, dependant on the needs of the workgroup.

The Workplace Champion will:

• Local point of contact for the Our People Matter strategy
• Identify, promote and co-ordinate strategy activities
• Disseminate resources and communication material on health, safety and wellbeing risks, initiatives and advice
• Assist district/business group in strategy reporting requirements
• Member of the local Our People Matter committee
• Attend Safety & Wellbeing and OPM training and development, meetings and conferences as required
• Provide input into developing the annual Our People Matter plan for their area
• Assist and liaise with the Principal Workplace Champion

The number of Workplace Champions per business group/District will be determined by the PWC, with approval from the relevant Assistant Commissioner/Executive Director.

Communications, Culture and Engagement will manage the overall co-ordination of the network, including the recording and reporting of PWC and Workplace Champion positions.

PWC’s and Workplace Champions will receive training and development along with a champion’s toolkit to support knowledge transfer and sharing of information.

An initial induction for the roles will be provided with follow-up engagement occurring throughout the year, both via face-to-face and remotely.

This volunteer network is vital to the success of the strategy and it is important to Communications, Culture and Engagement to recognise and reward those who go above and beyond.  Achievements may be recognised through articles in QPS publications, QPS Workplace, newsletters, awards, annual conferences, merchandise and certificates.

The success of this program relies on having the right people in these very important roles.  It is also vital that the role comes with the full support of management.  The positions are open to any member of the QPS who has a passion for the Our People Matter strategy and implementing positive change to support the four OPM pillars.  Subsequently, recruitment for Workplace Champion roles will be through an expression of interest, with a recommendation from the person’s Officer in Charge / Manager and approved by the PWC.

The initial term of appointment will be 3 years to allow the person time to gain buy in, develop networks and build on successes.  This will be reviewed in the program review cycle.

This role is not transferrable, if the person was to move out of the area of responsibility, a new EOI process will need to occur.

If the person no longer wishes to undertake the role, approval from the PWC is required and advice with approval sent to Communications, Culture and Engagement .

For more information, email [email protected].