Service NSW is to cut thousands of jobs as part of a major restructuring, with staff furious over the mass redundancies.
CEO Greg Wells informed staff earlier this week that up to 6-0 percent of jobs would be cut across most divisions, 7News reported.
The state government has previously publicly announced that 25 percent of Service NSW staff would lose their jobs.
The four areas where jobs will be lost are customer support, service delivery, partnerships and projects, and cybersecurity.
About 125 full-time jobs will be lost, but the layoffs will primarily affect contract workers, temporary employees and other staff.
Instead, the agency will expand its online services to continue supporting customers.
Staff have reacted strongly to the move, with some saying they are struggling to cope with the workload.
“How can we do our job well if we are hanging by a thread?” said one of the employees.
Service NSW will cut thousands of jobs as part of a major restructuring, with staff furious over the mass redundancies
The employee alleged that the agency is “sacrificing the common man” while people in higher positions will not be affected.
“Each division will retain its own director and general manager,” the employee said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Service NSW for comment.
A report by the company found that the agency’s departments that review benefits claims and combat fraud should reduce their staff.
Departments dealing with disaster response and recovery should also cut jobs.
The report found that staffing levels could be expanded during “major crises and disasters.”
Meanwhile, the service finder function is being cut at the digital services department, but ‘minimal cuts’ are being made at the cybersecurity department.
The Service NSW Business Bureau, a specialist resource for small businesses in the state needing assistance, will also be affected.
The Business Bureau now offers more ‘self-service’ options to help businesses apply for support measures.
As of June 2024, the agency employed nearly 5,000 people in the state, up from 2,860 in June 2019.
The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) expressed its dismay at the redundancies.
“The PSA is deeply concerned about the consequences of this drastic cut and will continue to defend the interests of its members at every step,” the organization said.
‘The PSA urges that all options be explored, including the release of vacant and temporary positions for ongoing employment’.
A spokeswoman for Customer Service and Digital Government Minister Jihad Dib told Daily Mail Australia the layoffs will not affect service centres.
“The current number of 117 Service NSW customer service centres will not be reduced as a result of this process,” the spokeswoman said.
The government service agency will reduce its workforce by 60 percent in four departments over the next year
‘An extra center [is] opened this year in Tallawong to provide an additional option for people living in Sydney’s North West.
The spokeswoman said most of the job cuts are 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 staff reductions will also affect senior managers, in line with the New South Wales Government’s election promise.’
The exact number of employees who will lose their jobs will be determined later.