Positive workplace culture
Guidance and resources on creating and maintaining a respectful, engaged, and inclusive workplace culture.
Audience
All department employees, as well as:
- contractors and agency staff engaged to perform work for, or on behalf of, the department
- volunteers
- special religious educators
- graduate program participants
- pre-service teachers
- external providers and consultants, where their engagement requires adherence to the department's Code of ethics and conduct procedure.
Version |
Date |
Description of changes |
Approved by |
V01.0.2 |
18/02/2026 |
Updated policy owner, contact details and amended links. |
Director, Equity, Inclusion and Culture |
V01.0.1 |
04/11/2024 |
Updated to align language with the Public Service Commission Code of Ethics and Conduct. |
Acting Director, Culture, Diversity and Talent |
V01.0.0 |
05/09/2024 |
Under the 2023 Policy and procedure review program, new policy document consolidating existing instructions and improving clarity and readability. |
Chief People Officer |
About the policy
Under the Our culture policy, the department is committed to creating open, supportive, and inclusive workplaces, where our staff are safe, respected, included, valued and inspired to bring their whole selves to work. The department does this in the following ways:
- Creates positive and culturally safe workplace cultures where employees are engaged in doing their best work every day to support learners and communities.
- Provides compassionate environments where staff, learners and community members are treated with dignity and respect, and where everyone feels empowered to speak up about unacceptable behaviour or work without fear of negative consequences.
- Builds a respectful and responsive culture where all members of staff are encouraged to raise workplace concerns and, where appropriate, participate in resolving those concerns. This is underpinned by a fair, efficient and accessible complaints handling process.
Standards
All employees have a responsibility to help foster positive workplace cultures.
All employees must comply with the department’s Code of ethics and conduct procedure when working with others.
The code provides a guide for how employees can work together in ways that maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues and the community.
1. Create a positive workplace culture
A positive workplace culture is characterised by trust and respectful interactions. It supports employee and stakeholder engagement and motivates everyone to do their best. Strong, respectful employee relationships can help teams deal with challenges and remain focused and productive, especially in periods of change, disagreement or conflict.
Refer to:
2. Speak up
Employees are encouraged to speak up and support others to do the same. To speak up is to freely and respectfully share ideas, suggestions and concerns. Regularly speaking up helps create psychologically safe workplaces that:
- allow all staff to feel included and safe to contribute
- invite everyone to be honest and open
- facilitate sharing and communication of different points of view in a respectful way
- ensure employees feel empowered to challenge the way we do things and provide alternative ideas
- respectfully call out behaviours that do not match shared values and ways of working
- create pathways to inclusion where employee voices are deeply valued.
Refer to Speak Up (staff only) for a range of resources on creating safe and trusting environments.
3. Our plan and values
Our Plan for NSW Public Education outlines how the department will create an equitable and outstanding education system that strengthens trust and respect for the teaching profession.
The plan is supported by our values, which guide how employees perform their work and make decisions daily. Employees should strive to practice and maintain these values:
- Accountability
- Equity
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Service
- Trust.
Refer to Our Values at Work (staff only) for information on how employees can implement these values every day.
4. Leadership supports
4.1 Leadership Learning hub
Employees are encouraged to pursue ongoing professional development opportunities. The Leadership Learning hub (staff only) provides practical leadership resources for non-teaching and education support staff. It includes video courses, learning café group discussions, regular events, and ongoing professional development opportunities for employees at every stage of their career.
4.2 School Leadership Institute
Current and future NSW public school leaders are encouraged to develop their leadership skills. The School Leadership Institute provides leadership development programs, resources, and support for current and future NSW public school leaders. It works to promote and support Our Plan for NSW Public Education focus areas, particularly strengthening trust and respect for the teaching profession and delivering outstanding leadership, teaching and learning.
5. People Matter Employee Survey
Employees are encouraged to participate in the People Matter Employee Survey (PMES). This annual NSW public service survey measures workplace culture and experiences, allowing employees to have their say and share feedback.
Refer to Our PMES results (staff only) for annual results.
Principals and managers are encouraged to review their PMES results and consider ways to improve them locally.
Refer to Taking action on PMES results (staff only) for resources to assist with this process.
Supporting tools, resources and related information
Department:
- Leadership Learning hub (staff only)
- Positive workplace culture (staff only)
- What is a respectful workplace? (staff only)
- Speak Up (staff only)
- Our Plan for NSW Public Education
- Our Values at Work (staff only)
- Code of ethics and conduct procedure
- School Leadership Institute
- Our PMES results (staff only)
Office of the Public Service Commissioner:
Premier’s Department:
Policy contact
People Experience Programs team
Talent, Capability and Performance, People Group
The Executive Director, Talent, Capability and Performance monitors the implementation of these standards, regularly reviews their contents to ensure relevance and accuracy, and updates them as needed.