Management in public service must improve says survey of public servants

“Management in the public service must improve if employers are to get the most out of public servants and if public servants are to successfully develop their careers,” said Brenda Pilott, PSA National Secretary commenting on the Career Progression and Development Survey completed by over 5000 public servants and released by the State Services Commission today.

The report shows that only a third of managers were rated as good at providing their staff with performance feedback and actively encouraging and supporting career development.

“There must be better training and support provided to managers in the public service,” said Brenda Pilott. “While technical competency and expert knowledge are important attributes in many jobs, the ability to relate well to people and communicate effectively is more important in management positions.”

The survey also showed that concerns about balancing work and family commitments inhibits employees from applying for higher level positions and that over 20 percent of public servants consider they have poor pay and benefits. Satisfaction with pay and benefits has declined since 2000.

“If the State Services Commission is serious about modelling good employment, it must improve its commitment to family friendly policies and ensure that public servants can balance their work and family commitments.”

“It is clear that increasing pay in the public service will be critical to ensure we can attract and retain employees from across the private and public sectors.”

“Our union is currently involved in bargaining in several public service departments where our members have expectations of significant union negotiated pay increases.”

The survey also showed that public servants were less likely to aspire to a Chief Executive position than in 2000.

“It is concerning that fewer public servants aspire to being Chief Executives especially given the high turnover in recent years,” said Brenda Pilott. “The public service needs leadership which understands our changing society.”

ENDS

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