I am committed to maintaining good employer-employee relations to maximize productivity in the department. I have developed excellent relationships with the 42 staff working in the department and take time to listen to staff enquiries and complaints, identify their needs and work through any issues that might be concerning them. I am keen to ensure that staff welfare is prioritized and in the time I have been with the department, there has been a 40 per cent reduction in personal leave and a dramatic improvement in retention rates.