Human Resources

Human Resource Information

Overview

Employee information is collected and stored by the Department for a number of purposes.  In order to comply with privacy requirements, employees must be advised of the purpose for which the information is required and the bodies or agencies to whom the Department may disclose personal information.

Human Resource Information collected by the Department may be stored either electronically or in hard copy form in personnel files.

The Department and its schools collect and maintain employee information in accordance with the following legislation: Public Records Act 1973; Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth); Information Privacy Act 2000; Freedom of Information Act 1982; Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004; Health Records Act 2001; and the Accident Compensation Act 1985.  

Schools are responsible for the management and disposal of records for school staff.  Corporate HR Services is responsible for the management and disposal of HR records for VPS employees and executive officers.  

Electronic Records

Information collected by the Department may be stored electronically on the Department’s central payroll system and other Human Resource Information Systems.  The information stored on the Department’s systems will be used for a range of functions including:

  • the generation of fortnightly pay slips
  • the recording and processing of leave requests (eduPay)
  • the processing and management of WorkSafe claims
  • the reporting of workplace incidents (eduSafe)

Personnel Files

A personnel file is created for a new employee who has not previously been employed in a Victorian state school or other Department location.  Where a person is rehired, his/her personnel file must be retrieved from the previous Department work location/school.

Various human resources (HR) information is collected and maintained on an employee’s personnel file including but not limited to:

  • Evidence of date of birth and qualifications
  • Pre-employment and appointment documentation
  • Medical assessment information
  • Documentation relating to probation or salary progression
  • Leave applications
  • Authorisations for the payment of allowances or salary changes
  • Documentation relating to complaints, unsatisfactory performance or misconduct proceedings
  • Cessation documentation

The exceptions to placing records on a personnel file are:

  • documents relating to the selection process;
  • taxation forms (Tax File Number Declarations and Withholding Declarations) which are not put in personnel files, but stored separately in a secure location;
  • documentation relating to an employee's WorkSafe claim(s).A separate file is created in the school for any such records.  Note: where a school based employee transfers to another location, the file must stay in the location where the injury occurred.

Personnel files are stored in a secure and fireproof environment when the file is not in use and handled in a secure manner and with absolute confidentiality.

Accessing HR Information

An employee may request access to his or her personnel file.  The Department may refuse to provide the employee with his or her personnel file where it is permitted to do so under relevant State or Commonwealth legislation.

Requests by an employee for access to his or her personnel file are made to their Principal (school employees) or Manager, HR Services (VPS employees).  The Principal or Manager, HR Services, must then determine whether the file is able to be released, having regard to the relevant privacy laws.

An external organisation may request access to an employee's Human Resource records, including the employee’s personnel file, for various reasons including: for auditing purposes; by a lawyer or court in compliance with a Court Order or Subpoena; by a police officer conducting an investigation; or where there is some other legal requirement, for example, by the Child Support Agency

Where access to any information is denied, the principal or Manager HR Services must advise the employee or external organisation of their right to seek access under Freedom of Information provisions.

For further Information about the Freedom of Information process contact the Freedom of Information Unit on 9637 2670 or visit http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/deptpolicies/foi.htm.

 

Other Resources

Policies and Guidelines

Legislation

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Contact Information

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