Insight 1: Leading and building healthy workplace culture

A common theme across several of the inquiries was that respondents found the culture of their workplaces hostile or resistant to critical analysis. Respondents described the difficulty of having their concerns about the Scheme addressed in agencies where the workplace culture did not foster critical discussion, or where critique was perceived as delaying progress towards implementation of the Agency’s understand sign of government policy.

The culture of an agency is primarily influenced by those who lead, setting a standard and example for staff to follow.

‘Leaders’ behaviour sets the tone and creates the psychological safety necessary for the APS to be high performing and to provide the frank and fearless advice that is a cornerstone of the service. Leaders who enable a safe place to collaborate, express concern and ask questions create conditions for innovative thinking and a diversity of views’.[9]

The Taskforce considered the APS standards for leadership in the course of the inquiries and the ultimate impact this had on actions and decisions in the design and delivery of the Scheme.

Members of the APS Senior Executive Service (SES) should encourage a workplace where employees feel supported and comfortable raising concerns and risks. SES employees are required, by personal example and other appropriate means, to promote the Values and Employment principles and compliance with the Code.[10]

Adverse behaviour in senior leadership is intimidating, creating a culture where employees feel discouraged to provide clear and comprehensive advice to highlight risks or issues. Senior leaders should seek to be informed with strategic, inquisitive, evidence driven advice. The fact that some leaders, on numerous occasions during the design and delivery of the Scheme, failed this standard of care and diligence in connection with APS employment, had a consequential impact on more junior staff who limited their own performance to reflect the work place leadership practices and culture they observed.