Delivering ‘Broader Outcomes’ for New Zealand

At FIRST, we are on a mission to deliver better outcomes for our people, our clients and Aotearoa NZ now and in the future. This is something we have in common with a lot of our clients – many organisations are no longer just interested in the financial bottom line and this is especially true of the NZ Government, writes FIRST Security’s GM Sales, Jemima Briggs.

Head of Government Procurement Laurence Piddock recently talked to Newsroom about radically improving the way the government spends $51.5 billion a year of taxpayer money.

And it starts with a key inclusion in the most recent edition of the Government Procurement Rules which states that agencies “must consider, and incorporate where appropriate, broader outcomes when purchasing goods, services or works.” This means government agencies must think socially, culturally, and environmentally about the goods and services they purchase.

So, what are ‘broader outcomes’? Broader outcomes are the secondary benefits that are generated by the way a good service or works is produced or delivered. “These outcomes can be social, environmental, cultural or economic benefits, and will deliver long-term public value for New Zealand.”

In essence, the idea recognises the role that government – as a large and influential procurer of goods and services – can use its procurement practices to drive positive outcomes for the community beyond the immediate purchase of the good/service.

The Detail

The Procurement Rules provide detail on what social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits fall under broader outcomes, with Cabinet placing specific requirements on agencies to deliver broader outcomes against a set of priority areas, including:

1. Increasing New Zealand businesses’ access to government procurement: increasing the number of New Zealand businesses contracting directly to government, and within the supply chain. This includes Māori and Pasifika businesses.
2. Increasing the size and skill level of the domestic construction sector workforce: the government is leveraging procurement through construction to encourage businesses to increase the size and skills of their workforces.
3. Improving conditions for workers and future-proof the ability of New Zealand businesses to trade: this priority protects workers from unfair and unsafe behaviour, and incentivises well-performing firms while ensuring they are not undercut by firms who have reduced costs through poor labour practices.
4. Supporting the transition to a net zero emissions economy and assist the Government to meet its goal of significant reduction in waste by 2020 and beyond.

Security: A Priority Sector

In relation to Priority Outcome 3 (employment standards) listed above, the Government has directed that its agencies must?meet certain requirements ?where their procurement relates to the purchasing of cleaning services, security services or forestry contracts. Specifically:

When procuring cleaning services, security services or forestry services (with a focus on low wage employment), agencies need to ensure that suppliers demonstrate compliance with employment standards within their business and through the domestic supply chain delivering that service. The supply chain is defined as all employees of firms sub-contracted by the tier one supplier, who are employed as cleaners, security staff or forestry workers.

[Note: there are some great resources listed on the?NZ Government Procurement ?website for organisations interested in further guidance on implementing the employment standards aspects of broader outcomes]

Delivering on Employment Standards

Broader Outcomes makes good sense for New Zealand, for our communities, and for our workforces. As a supplier of security services to a range of government agencies, FIRST Security is committed to employment and business practices that help make New Zealand a?better place.

In fact, we are committed to being the most ethical provider of security guarding and patrols in Aotearoa.

In an industry characterised by minimum wage employment, we are proud to have 60% of our officers on at least the living wage – and rising. We fly the Living Wage flag when talking to potential clients, providing information about the Living Wage and explaining the long-term benefits it brings.

In conjunction with encouraging our clients to pay Living Wage, we’re actively improving the service we deliver, which means enhanced training and career development for our personnel. Delivering ever higher and more consistent standards of service to our clients is easier when we can keep good people in our ranks – and this means ensuring that we offer a career in which people can grow.

It’s also about providing a safe work environment, which is easier said than done when you’re an organisation with hundreds of employees deployed on client sites and in vehicle-based patrols throughout the main streets and back roads of New Zealand. Our 24/7/365 National Operations Centre ensures that all of our officers are supported at all times with regular welfare checks and a constant line of communication. This is complemented by a range of other controls, such as appropriate PPE and fatigue management.

As the country’s largest provider of security guarding and patrol services, we’re also privileged to be able to employ specialists covering recruitment, human resources, rehabilitation and wellness, health and safety, quality, and sustainability. These professionals support our operations managers to ensure we are taking care of our people.

Rather than just complying with employment standards, we strive to lead our industry in the achievement of better standards, and we are proud of our position as an industry leader in this regard – and as a security employer of choice. It’s good for us, and it’s good for the communities we strive to protect.

In future posts, we look forward to talking more about our broader outcomes focus in the cultural space and in terms of sustainability and supporting regional Aotearoa.