Update: after publication, Home Affairs got in touch with us with some further clarification. We have added it in bold below.
Our recent yarn on Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo’s leadership philosophy prompted readers to contact us with further information on what goes on inside his sprawling department. Among the peculiar practices we were told go on there:
- In addition to the standard public service “pink slip” process for security breaches (if, say, you leave a confidential file on your desk overnight, security will take it and replace it with a pink piece of paper on your desk with the details of your breach on it, and you have to take the slip and collect the file again); there is a “white slip” process whereby anyone who breaches Home Affairs “integrity policy” receives a white piece of paper. Except … the white slip is blank so recipients don’t know what they’ve done …
- There’s a clothing policy in place above the usual public service requirement that staff dress appropriately and professionally for the workplace (obviously those working at airports or in the AFP have uniforms; this is about head office staff): women, or, for that matter, anyone so minded, are not permitted to wear heels, because that might slow them down in the event of an emergency evacuation, and bright colours and polka dots are also banned (apparently because they might make for an easier target for a terrorist) Home Affairs has denied this
- A social club is banned because it might lead to the consumption of alcohol. Home Affairs has denied this
Now, bear in mind these are just claims from people who, we assume, have worked at Immigration/Home Affairs or still do. We put them to Home Affairs, and a spokesperson provided this response.
The Department has a privileged position as Australia’s security and law enforcement portfolio, protecting the border and keeping Australians safe. Departmental disciplinary and security measures are designed to safeguard this privileged position. Given the nature of the Department’s work, it is a required prerequisite for all members of staff to exercise sound security practices as a natural part of their professional workplace behaviour. The Australian community has high expectations regarding Departmental staff’s behaviour and actions. As such, the Department has a strong integrity culture and sets the highest standards of personal and professional behaviours. The Department’s security, disciplinary and social policies are one of the strongest in the Commonwealth. Robust action is taken against individuals where misconduct is identified. Australian Public Service employees, including staff in the Department are expected to dress in a professional manner.
Home Affairs’ follow-up statement:
“There is no ban on women wearing high heels. Women in operational roles across the Home Affairs portfolio adhere to the relevant uniform standards of their agency. There is also no ban on bright or polka dot (or any other patterned) clothing. The only requirement on staff in non-operational roles is to dress in a professional manner. There is no ban on social clubs at the Department.”
Does your workplace have eccentric rules and weird requirements? Let us know at boss@crikey.com.au
What a relief for Home Affairs staff that there’s no social club – one would never know when Pezzullo might make a guest appearance.
I’ll bet Commandant Pezzullo at Fortress Belconnen doesn’t have the guts to tell Julie Bishop to stop wearing those 3 inch spikes that support her ankles.
and the hugely expensive (to the tax payer) flashy earings
And Ms Bishop is certainly at strong risk of terrorist attack – Pezullo himself should wear high-performance runners as well as a BP vest and steel helmet.
:))
It is often noted that the least security conscious environment is one within an enhanced security cordon.
But, seriously, anyone who left a classified file on their desk overnight should be fired for gross turpitude.
And the genius of the white feather… sorry slip, is that it invites self criticism, often far more excoriating. And fun for spectators
Nothing is ever as simple as it seems and there are some complications in respect of the issues raised. Without passing any judgment on how that department is run, in any situation high heels are a safety hazard and the consumption of alcohol on a premises by personnel even after working hours may leave the owner of the premises or the employer open to a claim for compensation which public servants show no reluctance for. Having worked in situations where appropriate ‘safe’ footwear for men is mandatory but high heels are not considered a risk (and I do know of women who have fallen off their heels, while sober, and injured themselves although in response to raising that in one situation the topic was shut down by a claim that ‘we know how to wear them’ – obviously not) and been aware of at least one case where an employee tripped after consuming alcohol on work premises after hours and then lodged a claim for compensation neither of those prohibitions sound draconian. Polka dots I have a problem with anyway but from the point of management of safety alcohol, high heels and work places don’t mix. As an employer I would seriously consider banning both alcohol and high heels, and maybe polka dots and white slips as well.
I feel like in all likelihood “There is no ban” but everybody knows the boss will send you to Siberia if you do it; a ban with plausible deniability, basically.