Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander UWS Staff

UWS aims to provide a flexible, supportive and diverse working environment and encourages employees to live a balanced lifestyle, combining work and family responsibilities. UWS strives to provide a work environment that encourages fairness, equity and respect for social and cultural diversity. Many staff benefits are offered to employees of the University, including cultural leave and a language allowance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

UWS recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees have cultural and community responsibilities. Under the University of Western Sydney Enterprise Agreements, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees (other than casual employees) are entitled to:

• up to 5 days paid leave a year to participate in cultural/ceremonial activities
• up to 10 days unpaid leave a year to fulfil cultural/ceremonial obligations.

An employee who is required to use Indigenous Australian language in the course of their work will be paid an Indigenous Australian Language allowance of:

• $1100 a year for employees who are capable of using a minimal knowledge of language for the purpose of simple communication
• $2201 a year for a level of ability for the ordinary purposes of general business, conversation, reading and writing.

Find out more about the UWS Staff Benefits.

Career Support

UWS recognises the importance of building the skills and professionalism of its people and encourages continual professional development and learning.

The Organisational Development Unit provides career support through a wide range of professional development courses and services which are available to all UWS staff. UWS encourages its staff to actively plan their careers and take part in professional development activities which will enhance their career prospects and job progression.

Strong emphasis is placed on the value of a diverse and harmonious workplace. UWS acknowledges that to be productive and happy we need to take care of ourselves and others to create work life balance and a culture of civility and respect.

Mentors

The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement engages mentors to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees at all levels (Trainees, Cadets, Early Career Academics etc.) as part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talent Management Program.

The role of the mentor is to help the learning process and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the university. For example, if mentoring a Trainee, during the traineeship period, the mentor will be required to support the trainee with a monthly one-hour catch-up to discuss progress.

Mentoring is not necessarily training. A person who agrees to take on the position of mentor needs to be able to dedicate an amount of time to the task and should be accessible to the mentee.  Mentors should also know how workplace environments affect learning, guided learning techniques and strategies, good communication skills, good counselling skills, outcomes expected of the mentee in the learning program, subject matter.

A mentor is not there to do the work that the mentee feels they are not able to do.

There are numerous benefits for the mentor in being involved with a mentoring program. These include:

• enhanced self esteem
• job enrichment
• recognition as a developer of people
• interest and motivation in work
• close relationship with the mentee
• extra resource (the mentee).

Vickie Robinson ITP Co-ordinator had this to say about her involvement as a Mentor in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talent Management program

I enjoy helping people find their own way. I have life experience that lends to being aware of the issues facing young people. I do a lot of community work with young people and always find it amazing how easy it is for them to blossom and run with concepts when shown the path. Everyone’s path is different but society tries to bundle everyone into the same category which does not work for everyone. I am able to help people embrace their individuality while ticking the boxes on the way. It works!

To register your interest in mentoring, please contact the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement.