Former Waterworld admin worker Lauren Allchin is among 200 previously stood-down council employees that City Hall has recently redeployed in other work.
The part-time worker and uni student is now with council’s tree maintenance team, clearing vegetation from footpaths.
“I’m really grateful to be able to keep working,” the 21-year-old from Highton said.
“It gives me a sense of purpose and normality through this unusual time.”
Ms Allchin applied for the job after a council welfare officer phoned to see how she was going, she said.
“There were plenty of opportunities to take on roles that didn’t require prior experience.”
In March, City Hall controversially stood down 576 employees after closing some services due to COVID-19 restrictions, drawing criticism from state and federal Labor MPs.
But recently, City Hall said it had filled more than 200 of 250 positions made available through its temporary redeployment program.
The program had created jobs in Meals on Wheels, staff welfare, accounting, administration, parks maintenance, street cleaning and online fitness, City Hall said.
So far, most of the redeployed employees have come from leisure and recreation services.
“Not only has the redeployment program allowed us to keep employees working, we have been able to boost services to better support our community during this time,” City Hall chief executive officer Martin Cutter said.
The Australian Services Union was working with City Hall to ensure all permanent staff remained financially-secure through redeployment and access to leave, its Victorian secretary Lisa Darmanin said.
Ms Darmanin also welcomed City Hall reviewing opportunities for casual workers who had been stood down and committing to “engaging them again at the earliest opportunity”.
