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Around 300 Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) staff members from around the country will be laid off over the next 12 months following the state insurer’s restructuring proposal, it has been suggested.
If the plan proceeds, staffing levels in ACC’s Hawke’s Bay office will be halved, with 34 jobs going. Additionally, Hastings ACC is proposing to cut staff numbers from 67 to 33, NZ Herald reported. ACC reportedly expects the new structure to take effect from January 24 next year.
As previously reported, staffing levels at Timaru’s ACC office will also be halved from 36 to 18. In Plymouth, 10 staff members are expected to lose their jobs.
Read more: ACC announces new business structure
ACC said the decision for the restructure followed feedback from customers and staff members who said they need the ACC to be more responsive, more transparent, and easier to deal with. It explained that, where possible, it would offer reassignment to an appropriate role in the same location if one is available, reassignment to a similar role in a different location if they are interested, or where this is not feasible then redundancy will be offered.
“We know this is a difficult time for our client service teams and we are being transparent and supportive throughout this process,” the commission said. “Importantly, these proposed changes are not about saving money.
“They are designed to improve your health outcomes if you’re injured by making us more accessible. They’ll also empower our employees to focus their efforts where they are most needed,” ACC added.
