Name badges - Customs management bypass safety concerns

CPSU’s survey also reveals that 88% of respondents do not believe that Customs have adequately considered their concerns about the proposed changes -  in particular, their serious concerns around health and safety. You can check CPSU’s online survey stats below.

CPSU notifies a dispute

Despite CPSU’s efforts to raise members’ safety concerns, Customs have chosen to ignore staff feedback and press on with changes to the draft Dress and Appearance Standards Policy. The CPSU does not believe Customs have genuinely considered or addressed the concerns of staff and has notified Customs of a dispute under the agreement. Read the CPSU’s dispute notification letter here.

What are members saying? – See the online survey stats below

• CPSU members are telling us that as the requirement to wear their full name on a badge does not apply to DAFF and Immigration Officers then the same standard should apply to Customs Officers
• CPSU members are telling us that it is not appropriate to compare Officers at Airports to the AFP or state Police as protections for AFP and Police Officers are more commonly known in the community
• CPSU members do not want to be a target for crime syndicates or disgruntled members of the public and are genuinely concerned for the safety of their families and themselves

Survey Results

Customs have adequately considered staff concerns about proposed changes to the uniform policy and new name badge requirements

• Strongly agree 3%
• Agree 2.1%
• Neutral/ Unsure 6.0%
• Disagree 24.3%
• Strongly disagree 64.6%

Wearing my surname on my name badge is a potential security and safety risk in my current workplace

• Strongly agree 63.0%
• Agree 15.5%
• Neutral/ Unsure 6.2%
• Disagree 7.4%
• Strongly disagree 7.9%

Customs should respect an employee’s choice not to wear their full name (or surname) on their name badge where they hold personal security and safety concerns

• Strongly agree 82.1%
• Agree 10.2%
• Neutral/ Unsure 0.6%
• Disagree 2.4%
• Strongly disagree 4.7%

If given a choice I would agree to wear my full name (or surname) on my name badge whilst working in a public contact area

• Strongly agree 4.9%
• Agree 7.0%
• Neutral/ Unsure 7.5%
• Disagree 18.3%
• Strongly disagree 62.3%

Next steps

Customs say they will consider individual requests from staff members to be exempt from the policy. Shortly CPSU will explain to members how to apply for an exemption from wearing the full name badges. We suggest that all members stand strong and collectively demonstrate to the employer about the depth of feeling around this issue by applying for an exemption.

Keep up your involvement – it’s what it takes to win

CPSU members achieve workplace change by working together. Not a member yet? Support your colleagues to improve the draft dress and appearance policy and join online today or call 1300 137 636.