Government looking at “reducing cost and improving efficiency” of administration and support services
A recent press report drew attention to work being done by Treasury and other agencies to look at ways to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of “back office” or “administrative and support services” across government.
Knowing that PSA members in the public service are concerned about how they might be affected, the PSA asked for an urgent briefing from Treasury. Read on
Opportunity for PSA members affected by redundancy
Learning State is offering a skills recognition assessment service so that state sector employees affected by redundancy can gain a tertiary qualification based on their existing skills.
This means that employees are able to gain a National Certificate (a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework) in a much shorter timeframe than usual because they are gaining recognition for their current skills – not learning new ones.
Read on
Tertiary Education Commission job cuts
The Tertiary Education Commission has cut 70 full-time equivalent positions.PSA National Secretary says the cuts are at odds with government demands for value for money and a stronger focus on front-line services. Listen to the report on Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint
Key issues in the public service
The PSA briefing papers to incoming ministers summarise some of the key issues facing members for members in the public service.
The PSA raises the bar: public service common leave provisions
The PSA has won common leave provisions for government departments in the core public service. They will mean improved entitlements for most public servants. And if departments have any leave provisions that are better, they will retain them.
The leave provisions are a significant milestone to a more cohesive public service and without the unfair disparities in employment conditions that currently exist.
They set a benchmark to enhance work/life balance and career mobility and position the public service as a good place to work.
Resources for PSA members
Common leave provisions: summary leaflet
Who they cover
Public servants under attack
Scapegoating public servants is a familiar political tactic, says PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott.
NZ Herald article
PSA article
PSA forum on political neutrality
The PSA held a forum in Wellington on 3 December on the employment implications of the inquiry into political neutrality. PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott provided a summary of what had occurred leading up to the inquiry, the verdict, and the PSA's concerns.
Speaking notes
Political Neutrality cabinet manual
Integrity and Conduct Survey
Survey raises some concerns
The new integrity and conduct survey unearthed concerns about some aspects of workplace behaviour and leadership.
PSA media release
Survey report
PSA forum on integrity and conduct
PSA members in Wellington took part in a forum on 31 October to talk about the integrity and conduct survey findings. The need for more training about the Code of Conduct was identified.
SSC presentation
Workplace bullying
The integrity and conduct survey confirms that workplace bullying is a serious issue in public sector workplaces.<
More on Workplace Bullying
PSA Journal article on bullying
PSA members talk about bullying
New Code of Conduct
State services commissioner, Mark Prebble, launched a new Code of Conduct on 19 June. The code, called Standards of Integrity and Conduct, covers staff across the state sector, and no longer just the public service. The new Code takes effect on November 30. The Public Service Code of Conduct, which covers the core public service, applies until that date.
Code of Conduct
PSA guide to the "whistleblowing" law
A survey found there is little awareness of the Protected Disclosures Act. The PSA guide to the Act points to when it can be used and what protections it does and doesn't provide.
PSA summary
NZ Public Service least corrupt
The New Zealand Public Service continues to rank as the least corrupt in the world, according to the latest annual survey by Transparency International.
Survey
Satisfaction and trust in state services
The SSC released the findings of a survey into New Zealanders’ levels of satisfaction with public services in July 2007. The findings reveal that while most people are confident that public servants do a good job, there is a view that the public service is not good at admitting mistakes or learning from them.
The survey also found that trust in the public service is negatively influenced by the views of others and by media coverage. People's actual experience of the public service is rated more positively.
Executive Summary of the report
Democracy at Work - the PSA's agenda
The Satisfaction and Trust survey adds weight to the PSA’s strategic agenda Democracy at Work which is about the central role of public servants and citizens in building effective and highly-valued public services.
Democracy at Work