With a recent survey showing 50% of public sector workers feel unappreciated, unions fear the Rudd Government's razor gang may spark an exodus of experience and talent from a public service already struggling to attract staff.
With a recent survey showing 50% of public sector workers feel unappreciated, unions fear the Rudd Government's razor gang may spark an exodus of experience and talent from a public service already struggling to attract staff.
The survey, conducted by online employment agency SEEK, highlighted mixed feelings amoung public servants when it came to their jobs.
There was strong support for flexible working hours and family friendly working hours, key features of union-negotiated collective agreements.
However with over half of staff surveyed feeling unappreciated at work and 28% unhappy with the quality of overall management, the results suggest not all is well within public sector ranks.
CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones warned that the impact of cuts to the public service, widely expected as part of the Rudd Government's first budget, could result in a loss of talent from the Australian Public Service (APS).
"Public servants will play a crucial role in implementing the Government's election promises, so ensuring the APS is adequately resourced will be an early test," Mr Jones said.
"While there's been plenty of early enthusiasm, commitment and long hours from public servants, the realities of a tight labour market, unsustainable workloads and insufficient resources could mean our best and brightest start to look elsewhere.
"The lesson learnt by the Howard Government, which instituted massive public sector job cuts when it came to office, is that it takes years to rebuild experience and corporate knowledge once lost," he said.
Mr Jones said that while CPSU was opposed to the "blunt instrument" of a blanket 2% efficiency dividend, the union recognised that the Government had announced the measure during the election campaign accepts it will be implemented over the coming year.
However there was a need to "develop more sophisticated, comprehensive and innovative strategies to deliver sustained efficiencies and build the productive capacity of the public service, similar to the challenges faced by other sectors of the economy," Mr Jones said.
What do you think? Have your say by posting a comment below or by emailing cpsunews@cpsu.org.au
Comments(5)
Posted by:Dave - 14 May 2008, 10:49am
Well I have been on work related medical leave for the last eisght weeks only to return and find that my manager (the cause of my leave) has noe decided to unfund my position!!!!! There were a total of three L3 officers myself included, yet my position and while on leave is being unfunded....so much for transparency in decision making. My role now has to be shared between two L3 officers who will now be doping one and a half jobs!!!! Yet during my absence our CEO has created two new SES positions.
Posted by:Addickted - 14 May 2008, 12:28am
Definitely agree that hefty cuts are required at the SES level. In my department the answer to every management stuff up over the past few years has been to create more SES / EL 2.2 positions.
Posted by:Linda - 22 Apr 2008, 2:24pm
Here Here, I agree with Mick, get rid of the SES from the Howard era they have stunted the development and growth of many public servants that have wanted to move forward and do good work for the Australian people.
Posted by:Peanuts - 18 Apr 2008, 4:53pm
Mick's comment that the razor gang should "cut off the heads of the old growth to the 'weeds' shine is very appropriate. The PS is afterall lead by the very people or bullies that John Howard appointed to reflect his own image (policies and views), now totally out of sync with Australia's aspirations. I say the current SES's have had their time and, like the John Howard Govt, out of new ideas for the PS and country. We should get rid of them!
Posted by:Greg - 18 Apr 2008, 4:44pm
I'm all for the cuts with a few proviso's - 1. they cut all the self-seeking toadies and sycophants out of our management (should save a motza as they only serve their own interests anyway and create more work for everyone else, which has considerable potential for increased productivity). 2. put in place measures to ensure these people never ever find a place in the PS ever again; 3. Give me a package - after 37 years I reckon I've earned it. They could also consider re-employing me part time to help clean up this mess.
Well I have been on work related medical leave for the last eisght weeks only to return and find that my manager (the cause of my leave) has noe decided to unfund my position!!!!!
There were a total of three L3 officers myself included, yet my position and while on leave is being unfunded....so much for transparency in decision making. My role now has to be shared between two L3 officers who will now be doping one and a half jobs!!!!
Yet during my absence our CEO has created two new SES positions.
Definitely agree that hefty cuts are required at the SES level. In my department the answer to every management stuff up over the past few years has been to create more SES / EL 2.2 positions.
Here Here, I agree with Mick, get rid of the SES from the Howard era they have stunted the development and growth of many public servants that have wanted to move forward and do good work for the Australian people.
Mick's comment that the razor gang should "cut off the heads of the old growth to the 'weeds' shine is very appropriate. The PS is afterall lead by the very people or bullies that John Howard appointed to reflect his own image (policies and views), now totally out of sync with Australia's aspirations. I say the current SES's have had their time and, like the John Howard Govt, out of new ideas for the PS and country. We should get rid of them!
I'm all for the cuts with a few proviso's - 1. they cut all the self-seeking toadies and sycophants out of our management (should save a motza as they only serve their own interests anyway and create more work for everyone else, which has considerable potential for increased productivity). 2. put in place measures to ensure these people never ever find a place in the PS ever again; 3. Give me a package - after 37 years I reckon I've earned it. They could also consider re-employing me part time to help clean up this mess.