Public servants say office tension is palpable and stress levels are high inside federal offices as employees given surplus notifications compete with each other for the remaining jobs.
Last month the federal government said it would cut approximately 19,200 positions over the next three fiscal years. Since that time, notices have gone out to thousands of employees across departments telling them their job may be affected by job cuts.
In some cases, employees have been told they will need to compete with others in their workplace for the remaining positions.
Ottawa workers CBC News spoke to at the Tunney's Pasture complex — the home of several federal offices — said the notifications of potential job losses make for a high-anxiety workplace.
"I was just in a training course," said one worker, on condition of anonymity. "And three quarters of the people there, somebody in their department has been made surplus. People have gotten their notifications, but it's still a long drawn-out process so it's very stressful."
Another worker said the uncertainty is affecting the way people do their jobs.
"I've definitely noticed a few people, they're not themselves. I'm attributing it to their anxiety or unease over the situation," she said.
Many of the competitions for the remaining jobs are based on merit, not seniority. Robert Shepherd, a former manager in the federal government and a public administration instructor at Carleton University, said the resulting competitive environment is likely to affect morale.
He said it makes the jobs of public service managers particularly difficult.
"When you're worried about your job, you're not worried about getting the job done. That's what's got many managers concerned obviously," said Shepherd.
"As a manager, you're going to have to face those anxieties on a daily basis. Meanwhile, motivating your staff, your regular responsibilities have to get done. So yes, there's very high stress right across the public service," he said.
Original Article
Source: CBC
Author: CBC News
Last month the federal government said it would cut approximately 19,200 positions over the next three fiscal years. Since that time, notices have gone out to thousands of employees across departments telling them their job may be affected by job cuts.
In some cases, employees have been told they will need to compete with others in their workplace for the remaining positions.
Ottawa workers CBC News spoke to at the Tunney's Pasture complex — the home of several federal offices — said the notifications of potential job losses make for a high-anxiety workplace.
"I was just in a training course," said one worker, on condition of anonymity. "And three quarters of the people there, somebody in their department has been made surplus. People have gotten their notifications, but it's still a long drawn-out process so it's very stressful."
Another worker said the uncertainty is affecting the way people do their jobs.
"I've definitely noticed a few people, they're not themselves. I'm attributing it to their anxiety or unease over the situation," she said.
Many of the competitions for the remaining jobs are based on merit, not seniority. Robert Shepherd, a former manager in the federal government and a public administration instructor at Carleton University, said the resulting competitive environment is likely to affect morale.
He said it makes the jobs of public service managers particularly difficult.
"When you're worried about your job, you're not worried about getting the job done. That's what's got many managers concerned obviously," said Shepherd.
"As a manager, you're going to have to face those anxieties on a daily basis. Meanwhile, motivating your staff, your regular responsibilities have to get done. So yes, there's very high stress right across the public service," he said.
Source: CBC
Author: CBC News
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