We provide a rostered day off (RDO) program for our wages employees, and a job share arrangement is in place for some clerical-based positions. We also have the ability to offer a job share arrangement for our senior production employees.

We provide our employees nearing retirement with a flexible work arrangement that accommodates their needs – assisting us to retain them, and educate the next generation of GPC employees.

It is our policy to provide employment opportunities for all people, including nominated Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) target groups (women, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders, people from non-English speaking backgrounds and people with a disability), on an equal and unbiased basis.

We have an EEO Management Plan that aims to ensure our workplace is free of harassment and discrimination. Our plan incorporates the requirements and objectives of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 and Equal Opportunity in Public Employment Act 1992 (Qld).

We are committed to providing world-class personal and professional training opportunities to our employees through our apprenticeship program, traineeships, leadership development opportunities, tertiary study assistance, our vacational placement and work placement schemes.

Our Tertiary Study Assistance Scheme provides benefits to our employees undertaking study toward self development and improved qualifications. The scheme provides employees with financial assistance towards the cost of tertiary study in recognised courses that will benefit their role and/or our organisation.

We communicate with our employees on a regular basis using a number of different mediums. We also ensure hard copies of electronic documents are placed on notice boards. These include:

	A monthly Message From The CEO – this correspondence (a letter posted to each employees home address) keeps employees informed on port performance issues, developments and achievements
	Workers Weekly – this electronic newsletter provides brief news updates and information on safety statistics, incidents, injuries and hazards that have occurred during the week
	Annual Business Forums – conducted by our CEO these sessions, provided to various departments over several days, inform employees on matters relating to current port developments and future directions
	Toolbox Talks – these weekly briefings are held in various work areas and provide updates on matters of port development, safety, achievements, opportunities and challenges
	Safety Bulletins – electronic bulletins which are distributed as required advising on issues associated with shutdowns or events that may affect the general operations of the port
	Safety Alerts – electronic notification of a high risk activity/event that is to occur or that an incident has occurred resulting in an injury or notifiable event
	Safety and Environment Update – electronic notification to employees that provides details on the past week’s safety and environment statistics, injuries, incidents and hazards. This also includes information for Toolbox Talks
	Off the Job Health and Safety Information – a letter to employees and their families sent to their home. This letter provides information about Off the Job Health and Safety – it promotes health and safety in the home and a healthier, safer community
	Weekly safety statistics – emailed to employees, these provide details on the week’s safety statistics, injuries and hazards.

We value our employees and each year display our gratitude for their efforts through the provision of a number of free social events. Each year the following events are held:

	Apprentice Welcome Night
	Family Picnic Day
	Service Awards
	Women’s Forum
	Retiree’s Day
	Christmas Drinks

The GPC Hotline is a free call number. It provides our employees with an avenue to confidentially relay their complaints and concerns. The number links directly to a call centre that is provided independently by our internal auditors. Each call is logged and details of the complaint are directed to appropriate personnel.

The objectives of the GPC Hotline are:

	To promote and encourage all employees to report concerns with respect to fraud and related misconduct within the organisation  so that these can be dealt with appropriately
	To provide an alternative, independent option for confidential reporting of issues and concerns
	To permit the confidential reporting and discussion of issues of concern to individual employees regarding potential fraud and related misconduct
	To assist employees with ethical dilemmas and concerns and provide a healthier working environment.

Although employees always have the option of reporting matters of concern to their line supervisors and managers they are encouraged to use the Hotline to report any suspicions of fraud and related misconduct. We offer an assurance that when these concerns are made with honest intent employees will be fully supported.

We provide an annual medical assessment and discussion with a medical practitioner to all employees. The service is voluntary and confidential.

We also provide a medical benefit scheme for our employees. We make gap payments for employees, and their dependent families, who are members of an approved medical fund. On production of receipts, we reimburse the difference between actual medical, dental, optometry and hospital expenses, and the refund available under private health insurance cover, to a maximum of $3,000 per calendar year.

We encourage our employees to take part in personal health and fitness programs to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. As an incentive, we pay a percentage of their annual gym membership fees.

Employees also encouraged to attend back care education awareness sessions during the year. The sessions offer instructions on how to prevent back injuries. These sessions allow us to potentially reduce the number of these injuries.

To maintain our employees’ overall health we contract Converge International to provide a confidential counselling services program. This service gives all of our people and their immediate families the opportunity to access a professional service that can provide support with both personal and work related issues. Converge provides a 24 hour hotline to contact counsellors and regularly makes on site visits.