By Paul Nettleton | 3 July 2013
Public sector workers are losing pride in their work and trust in their leaders as the government’s austerity programme bites, according to research published by management consultancy Hay Group.
Almost three-quarters of frontline staff and senior managers (72%) no longer feel proud to serve the public, while 70% say their morale is at an all-time low. Almost half of employees (47%) do not believe their leaders deliver on promises.
In signs of a looming brain drain, some 43% want to leave their current employer – the majority of those (78%) within the next three years.
In what Hay Group describes as a senior management black hole, more than two-fifths of senior managers (43%) are planning to leave the public sector altogether. Of those, 32% want to leave in the next year.
Dissatisfaction among managers is greater than for public sector workers as a whole, with 84% experiencing all-time low morale.
Over a quarter (27%) feel that public criticism is a significant barrier to feeling proud of the sector, and a fifth (23%) highlight a lack of leadership.
More than half of employees (52%) feel less supported by their manager now than before the austerity measures began, while 40% state that staff feel they are unimportant.
John Howarth, associate director in public sector consulting at Hay Group, said: ‘Over the past five years, the public sector has undergone a dramatic change.
‘Within the context of the new economic reality, leaders urgently need to reinvigorate employees’ enthusiasm and reconnect them with a clear organisational purpose and vision.
‘If leaders fail to take action, they risk losing their most capable staff. And where talent goes, pride, morale and productivity are sure to follow.’
In times of change, Howarth said, it was a challenge to motivate and engage staff.
But he added: ‘The good news for public sector leaders is that there is still a fundamental belief amongst employees that the sector exists to support and benefit the local community. To rebuild pride and drive engagement, leaders need to harness this sense of purpose – and follow through on all that they promise.’
Hay Group’s findings are based on interviews with 1,000 employees working in local and central government, health and social care and education. The research was carried out in March and April this year.
