Government cuts erode employee satisfaction
17 Jun '10
Are you fully satisfied in your job? Mostly satisfied? Unsatisfied? Many of us would likely place ourselves in the ‘mostly satisfied’ category, because perfection is hard to come by.
But more B.C. government employees are placing themselves in or near the third category, according to the BC government’s annual Work Environment Survey, which indicates a significant drop in job satisfaction among public service workers.
The survey, which was completed by 84 per cent of government employees, shows that employees’ view of the organization’s vision, mission and goals has dropped by 8 points over last year. Workers' view of executive level management also suffered a 6 point drop, which is hardly surprising given the conflicting messages coming from Victoria.
For most of the last year leading up to the election, the B.C. Liberal government was trying to reassure its workers and the public that it was finished with large-scale layoffs and downsizing.
Tell that to the Forest & Range ministry workers, who saw 294 jobs cut this year, and some 44 more cut in June – for a total of more than 1,100 jobs cut in the ministry since 2002. Then add the job cuts in the ministries of Citizens Services and Environment, and others.
It’s no wonder that public service workers’ job satisfaction is plummeting. Employees can no longer trust that what their employer tells them today is what they will deliver tomorrow.
Now the government has stated again that it is finished with ‘budget related’ public service cuts. For now at least. But they still have not committed to filling vacant jobs due to attrition. And they don’t say how they plan to achieve over 4,000 job cuts in the next 3 years, as noted in the last budget.
Unfortunately, more and more public servants are starting to believe that the current government thinks of them as expendable – mere statistics on a spreadsheet, easily cut to achieve their failed tax-cut agenda.
B.C. public service workers are not statistics. They are some of the most productive, knowledgeable and efficient workers in Canada. It is time the government recognized this and started working to rebuild the public service instead of tearing it down.
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Events & Meetings
February 10, 2012 - 9:00am - 4:30pm
Work Environment Study - if they only knew
Only when all government employees are free to respond to the Work Environment Study openly and without harassment will the numbers gathered have true meaning.
Members are reminded numerous times of how important their participation is in this survey but do they truly understand that when a ministry's engagement numbers fall it results in a loss of income for the Minister at the helm because participation and engagement numbers are directly tied to bonuses.
Many members do not have the time to take the survey. Some believe there will be repercussions if they answer honestly when their thoughts are less than supportive of government policies. Others look for creative ways to dodge sensitive questions.
With reduction in staffing, hiring freezes the norm and increases in workloads to the point that doing what's on your desk in the allotted work hours is impossible it is no wonder that workers feel less satisfied with their jobs and their employers. It's time for a realistic look at staffing needs throughout government not just the budget's bottom line. It's time to rebuild a vibrant public service.
Trinkets and promises before the Work Environment Survey will not increase the numbers. Respect for the worker and for the work being done by public service is the only way to to address job satisfaction. If "Public services are the glue that holds society together", then they "should be held in esteem."
Audit for Fishing and Hunting Fees
According to the Globe and Mail, the BC Wildlife Federation is asking for an audit of how govt is spending revenues from fishing and hunting fees. These fees were supposed to fund fish and wildlife management, but are likely being used for general revenue, given there don't seem to be any staff left doing these tasks. Here is a link to the article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/erosion-of-environmental-monitoring-leads-wildlife-federation-to-seek-audit-of-spending/article1586273/
Salary
It was a slap in the face to have not received ANY salary increase and then to have the government immediately spend about $150,000,000 on a new roof for B.C. Stadium!
Priorities are clear, and morale and ability to get by, financially, for public servants is definitely NOT a priority for this government. It is insulting.
Not so much cutback's fault
Cutbacks and/or budgeting are always occuring in any company or organization. However, it is how these cutbacks are handled that affects the morale of the staff.
Presently, there are many incompetent managers that have poor people skill and inefficient management skills (that went undetected during the interview for promotion.) During hard times a good leader can maintain cohesiveness within the ranks.
This survey's conclusion does not truly reflect the origination of the employee's disatisfaction.
Rotten bosses create a good part of this drop in satistaction and thus not entirely due to cutbacks.
There is rampant corruption within upper management because they are trying to justify not losing their job during the cutbacks and they are not protected by unions. In effect, the "underlings" are used as pawns to save their jobs and such action results in bullying. A more rigid "I'm the boss so don't question me" atomosphere is the message.
Henceforth, the drop in job satisfaction.
violating the contract
Now the employer is coercing employees to accept another day off in lieu of working on their flex days rather than paying them double time for working on their day of rest...
Understaffing's a Big Issue
There's less and less time to do tasks, which means more tension and much more bullying. The employer needs to consider what's worth it: Happy Staff, Happy People, Happy Customers or the opposite to save money. It's proven, they'll lose out in the end if they continue to run business this way. They'd actually make more long-term income if they upped the staff and work experience because we'd be one of the few places around with time for people. Satisfaction increases and loyalty ensues = save $ long-term.
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