PSA MEDIA RELEASE

24th July 2012 - For Immediate Use

More evidence of public service morale crisis

The Public Service Association says a new survey provides yet more evidence of the negative impact of government budget cuts and on-going restructuring of the public service.

A survey of more than 2,000 people by Right Management shows only 31% of public sector employees feel engaged in their work and just 35% feel connected to their organisation – down from 43% three years ago.

It reinforces the results of a survey of Inland Revenue staff in which two-thirds felt either disengaged or ambivalent about their work. The recent Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index also showed employment confidence among public sector workers at the lowest point since the measure was introduced six years ago.

PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott says it’s simply more evidence of the deepening morale crisis in the public service.

“Thousands of jobs have already been cut and more are expected as government departments are forced to slash a billion dollars out of their budgets over the next few years. There’s a real climate of insecurity and anxiety which does nothing to promote staff involvement or engagement.”

Hurried change management and restructuring have also put public sector employees under enormous pressure and many feel their concerns have not been listened to.

“It’s difficult to feel engaged in your organisation in the face of less resource, constant restructuring, higher workloads and public complaints,” says Brenda Pilott.

“The government has set out ten ambitious targets for the public service and expects it to go the extra mile to deliver on the outcomes. At the same time the Deputy Prime Minister has referred to the need to lower public service wages. With mixed messages like that it’s no wonder public sector morale is plummeting.”

“People need to feel valued and proud of what they do – the government needs to listen to that if it wants to have an engaged and connected public service workforce.”

ENDS

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