Supported work contracts, often taken by workers with disabilities, will cease to be offered by Mount Gambier City Council while the organisation reviews its internal policies.
In an employment termination letter sent to a long-term worker with a disability, council chief executive Sarah Philpott said the infrastructure department was "pausing appointment of trainees and supported work placements whilst we revise programs and implementation strategies to ensure we have the capability to meet the workforce requirements for city infrastructure".
The pause meant the worker's employment contract would not be renewed.
A council spokesperson said other areas of the organisation were subject to the same policy decision.
"The organisation is currently reviewing a number of areas of activity," the spokesperson said.
"Some fixed-term contracts and traineeships in some parts of our organisation have expired or will do so shortly.
"Until the reviews are concluded, most of these arrangements have not been renewed.
"This allows for flexibility and is normal business practice in all public and private sector organisations."
Council quiet on quotas
The City of Mount Gambier released a four-year disability inclusion plan in 2020 with a number of action plans including commitments to increase training and employment opportunities.
It included a statement that the council would promote workforce diversity, committing to recruiting and retaining a greater proportion of staff with disability.
The document said the goal would be reviewed each year, with its success to be measured by proportionate quotas.
However, the council has not revealed what quotas had been set two years since the plan was adopted.
"The City of Mount Gambier remains committed to diversity and inclusivity and this commitment has been demonstrated for many years," the spokesperson said.
A timeframe of when supported workers would again be hired was also not provided.
"[The council] observes the privacy of all its employees in accordance with current expectations and relevant legislation," the spokesperson said.
"We are unable to discuss the employment arrangements of individuals or groups of individuals."
Advocates call for leadership
Job placement provider Wise Employment has clients who are hired through supported worker programs.
Wise Employment Mount Gambier branch manager Leigh Russell said the group was unable to comment on the actions of the council.
"We are working with our impacted customers to ensure that they secure further ongoing and sustainable employment," she said.
South East Disability Advocacy Service chief executive David McGinley, whose organisation gives support to people and families living with disabilities, said government organisations needed to play a leading role on employment.
"It's a push that's coming from government bodies like the federal Department for Social Services and that should flow down to local councils," Mr McGinlay said.
"Employment of people with disabilities generally means you're going to get someone extremely loyal to your service, they just need an employer to give them a chance.
"There's too much fear within the mainstream employment of employing someone with a disability and that's something that we need to get past."
Editor's note 8/12/2022: This story has been updated to clarify the situation around supported work contracts being paused.
