New report shows public services held back by poor workplace culture

A new report by Victoria University’s Centre for Labour, Employment and Work shows that public servants are working significant unpaid overtime to ensure the public services New Zealanders value are able to continue.

Richard Wagstaff, Public Service Association (PSA) National Secretary, said “This report shows that public servants want to make a difference, but are held back by poor workplace culture,”

“An incredible 1 million hours per year of unpaid overtime are worked to ensure New Zealanders can access quality public services, which demonstrates the commitment of public servants to their job goes way beyond what they are contracted to do, and is also a sign of unmanageable workloads.

“Public servants say they are committed to making a difference and to their job and to the public they serve, but that commitment does not extend the organisations they work for.

“Of real concern is the fact that one third of public servants have experienced bullying in the last six months, adding to the pressure faced by public sector workers.

“Public service productivity, and the public services New Zealanders value, are continually hurt by harmful workplace culture including bullying and overwork,” said Richard Wagstaff.

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