Recently we raised your concerns with Nigel about the car parking at North Fenton Street.

We told Nigel that workers had been instructed not to park in the client parking space when coming onto shift at 11pm because of neighbour complaints.

We also told Nigel that some of you were concerned because the workers at this site are all female and cars have recently been broken into in the area, which poses a potential safety risk late at night.

Nigel has since let us know that as far as he is aware there is only one car parking space for the unit and the client’s personal car is parked in that parking space.

Nigel also talked more about the neighbours complaining:

‘At the time - we had received a complaint from the neighbour that our staff cars were unnecessarily blocking the shared driveway. Further, the way the parking is arranged, the arriving vehicle’s headlights will shine into the neighbour’s unit, and the engine noise is metres from the windows. As the shift change occurs 11pm every single night, the neighbour felt the noise/light was an unreasonable disruption. I was willing to be respectful of this neighbours’ concerns. I was also aware we do not specifically offer “off-street” parking as an employment standard, however that there is car parking available immediately outside on the street.

In terms of safety, whilst we agreed that staff could park on the street, staff initially had concerns surrounding potential of physical threat at night. There is plenty of free street parking available, within sight of the unit, hence it was agreed that for safety reasons, the staff could arrive, move quickly inside, and handover would occur. The person commencing shift would remain with “eyes on” the departing staff member until their car started and pulled away from the curb.’

Nigel agreed that there had been a car break-in however he said it occurred when the car was parked on site.

He also let us know that if you have any further concerns or think this information is inaccurate, then it’s best to follow-up with Danza.

Remember, while sometimes alternative arrangements may need to be made to access your work ultimately your employer is obligated to provide you with a safe workplace – that includes when you’re starting and finishing your shift.

If you’re feeling unsafe then you should fill in a risk assessment form and follow up any concerns in the first instance with Danza.

If you still feel you’re not being heard, or if risk assessments are not being followed up, then please give HACSUassist a call on 1300 880 032 and we can help you through it.