Inquiry into Australia Post's treatment of injured and ill workers
Terms of Reference
The practices and procedures of Australia Post over the past three years in relation to the treatment of injured and ill workers, including but not limited to:
1. allegations that injured staff have been forced back to work in inappropriate duties before they have recovered from workplace injuries:
2. the desirability of salary bonus policies that reward managers based on lost time injury management and the extent to which this policy may impact on return to work recommendations of managers to achieve bonus targets:
3. the commercial arrangements that exist between Australia Post and InjuryNet and the quality of the service provided by the organisation:
4. allegations of Compensation Delegates using fitness for duty assessments from Facility Nominated doctors to justify refusal of compensation claims and whether the practice is in breach of the Privacy Act 1988 and Comcare policies:
5. allegations that Australia Post has no legal authority to demand medical assessments of injured workers when they are clearly workers' compensation matters:
6. the frequency of referrals to InjuryNet Doctors and the policies and circumstances behind the practices:
7. the comparison of outcomes arising from circumstances when an injured worker attends a facility nominated doctor, their own doctor and when an employee attends both, the practices in place to manage conflicting medical recommendations in the workplace; and
8. any related matters.
For further information, contact: Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia