Service NSW is to cut thousands of jobs as part of a major restructuring and staff are furious at the mass redundancies.
Chief Executive Greg Wells told staff earlier this week that between 6 percent and 0 percent of jobs would be cut across most divisions. 7News reported.
The state government has previously publicly announced that 25 per cent of Service NSW staff would lose their jobs.
The four areas affected by job cuts are customer service, service delivery, partnerships and projects, and cybersecurity.
About 125 full-time jobs are expected to be eliminated, although job cuts will primarily affect contractors, temporary workers and other staff.
Instead, the agency will boost its online services to continue supporting clients.
Staff have criticised the move, with some saying they are struggling to cope with the workload.
“How are we going to do our jobs properly if we’re hanging by a thread?” one staff member asked.
Service NSW is to cut thousands of jobs as part of a major restructuring and staff are furious at the mass redundancies
The employee said the agency is “sacrificing ordinary people” while those in senior positions will not be affected.
“Each division will retain its own director and CEO,” the employee said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Service NSW for comment.
A company report found that agency departments that assess claims for eligibility and control fraud would need to reduce their workforce.
Disaster preparedness and recovery divisions would also need to cut jobs.
The report’s findings indicate that the workforce could increase during “high-impact crises and disaster events.”
Meanwhile, the service search function will be removed from the digital services division, but there will be “minimal reductions” in the cybersecurity department.
The Service NSW Business Bureau, which is a one-on-one resource for small businesses across the state in need of assistance, will also be affected.
The Business Bureau will now offer more “self-service” options to help businesses apply for support measures.
As of June 2024, the agency employed nearly 5,000 people statewide, up from 2,860 in June 2019.
The Public Service Association of New South Wales (PSA) has expressed its displeasure at the redundancies.
“The PSA is deeply concerned about the impact of this drastic cut and will fight for its members every step of the way,” they said.
‘The PSA is pressing for all options to be explored, including releasing vacant and temporary positions for continued employment.’
A spokeswoman for Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib told Daily Mail Australia that the layoffs would not affect service centres.
“There will be no reduction in the current number of 117 Service NSW customer service centres through this process,” the spokeswoman said.
The government services agency will reduce its workforce by 60 percent across four divisions over the next year
‘An additional centre will open in Tallawong this year to provide an extra option for people living in Sydney’s north-west.’
The spokeswoman said most of the job cuts were being made in services that were needed during the Covid pandemic when more resources were needed.
“Many of the programs developed in response to the pandemic and natural disasters no longer require this intensive crisis support,” the spokeswoman said.
‘The reduction in staff will include senior executives, in line with the NSW Government’s election commitment.’
The exact number of workers who will lose their jobs will be determined later.
