Is it appropriate for employers to pay staff in their role as OHS reps?
No, it is not appropriate for employers to pay staff members or workers to be OHS reps. There are a number of reasons for this:
- A person is elected as a representative by the DWG - this is not dependent on the person's qualifications, abilities, etc - but on whether the DWG believes the person will be a good representative.
- The role of the rep is a voluntary one, and it is to represent the members of their DWGs and to raise OHS issues of concern with the employer on the DWG’s behalf.
- The rep is not and should not be considered an 'expert' in OHS
- The Act is clear that OHS reps have no legal duties as reps. If reps were to be PAID, then the employer would expect (with some justification, perhaps) that reps undertake certain tasks as part of their 'duties' - for example write policies, write up workplace inspections, report to the employer and so on.
- Under the Act, an elected representative has rights and powers.