Balance between life and work could give state the edge

By COLIN JAMES

The state sector might gain a "competitive advantage" over other employers by meeting a desire for a better balance between work and other commitments, a report issued yesterday said.

The report results from a survey of the "expectations and experiences" of 6522 public servants at all levels in late 2000.

It was prompted by State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham's concerns about the number and diversity of candidates for chief executive positions, especially women.

The survey found, however, that 60 per cent of public servants aspired to a higher-level job in the service and 16 per cent wanted to be chief executives. Moreover, they said they were prepared to be flexible in getting there. Fifty per cent said they were prepared to go out into the private sector to further their career.

But half thought their chances of advancement were poor. Respondents did not see their managers as encouraging career development. Many also complained of long hours. Of those who did not aspire to a higher job, 25 per cent said they were concerned they would not be able to balance work and family responsibilities, 24 per cent did not want to move to another town and 19 per cent did not want long hours.

According to the report, these results suggest that public servants care more about what they do than money or job security.

Asked what they rated "highly important", 91 per cent said a feeling of accomplishment, 86 per cent quality of management and 77 per cent having challenging work.

The report said the public service should "respond to public servants' apparent desire for a better balance between work and other commitments.

"Promoting the public service as an employer that enables life/work balance is likely to give it an increasingly important competitive advantage," the report said.

Other suggestions in the report:

The State Services Commission could be a "broker" to disseminate good-practice information through the public service.

Emphasis on staff development in management training.

Pushing equal employment opportunities principles to increase the number of women and Maori at higher levels (women outnumber men in the younger age groups).