13 May 2016

An unsustainable long-hours culture is emerging among senior civil servants, demonstrating how government policy has worsened working conditions in the sector it uses as its “guinea pig” for reform.

The FDA’s 2016 working hours report has shown that 10% of senior managers and professionals work the equivalent of a seven-day week every week, 60% work an extra day every week, and half are unable to take their annual leave. What’s more, in 70% of cases, employers don’t even record these additional working hours.

The civil service is often used as a testing ground for government reform of the public sector, with changes to facility time, pay and conditions often implemented there before being rolled out to state-employed workers across the UK.

Under the Conservative government, the FDA found "unrealistic expectations”, “increasing workloads”, and a “detrimental effect on family relationships” among civil servants, according to General Secretary Dave Penman.

"An elected Government has the right to determine the size of the civil service, but it owes the public and its staff a duty of care in ensuring that it will match its commitments to the resources it provides,” he went on.

"Our survey is clear evidence that the Government has failed to do this and the high price being paid by civil servants is the result.”

Announcing the results of the survey, the FDA yesterday (12 May 2016) called on civil service employers to compensate their staff for every hour worked.

Experts at the Institute of Employment Rights are also debating worrying trends in the public sector as part of two conferences held in London and in Liverpool.

At these events, speakers from trade unions, academia and the legal profession will provide the latest information about proposals, legislative changes and case law precedents affecting public sector unions and their members. The day will conclude with a forward looking glance at the kind of alternative economic policies we might expect from the election of a more progressive government. See below to read more and book now.

Public Sector cuts, Privatisation and Employment Rights: London Wednesday 15 June 2016 A one-day conference Diskus Room, Unite the Union, London Read more and book

Public Sector cuts, Privatisation and Employment Rights: Liverpool Wednesday 05 July 2016 A one-day conference Conference Suite, Unite the Union NW Regional Office, Liverpool Read more and book.