THE “TEMPORARY” PUBLIC SERVANTS

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 February 1949, Page 4

THE “TEMPORARY” PUBLIC SERVANTS

Sir, —The editorial publicity that you have given the Holmes letter has, because Holmes was a temporary public servant, served to pinpoint the whole question of this class of worker. Because, too, the Commission is advertising the positions it has to offer the youth of today, some of the claims made for employment in the Public Service can be examined. Nearly twenty years ago, the P.S.C. issued a similar broadsheet to schools emphasising the merits of employment under its control. I was one of those who were attracted by promises of (1) good commencing salaries, (2) rapid advancement, (3) permanent employment, (4) superannuation, (5) high salaries after a few years, (6) time off to attend University Lectures and take a good Degree. This is what actually happened. The commencing salary was a magnificent £BO yearly without boarding allowance for several months. Later this was granted, and it brought the salary up to £l2O yearly. There was no rapid advancement, nor did I ever see it for others. I was appointed as a Temporary employee—as a trial of ability—which trial continued nearly ten years till I resigned. Although the Public Service Regulations lay down strict conditions for the employment of temporary employees, they are wholly disregarded. There was no time off to attend Lectures to take a degree to get advancement in ’the Department. All time for lectures had to be approved by Head of Division, Head of Department, and Commissioners Office. Usually if there were 10 hours of lectures weekly, the applicant was allowed 8 hours time off for lectures, and five minutes each way travelling timfe from office to University. This time had to be made up (according to rules on the same day as taken) under supervision of a senior officer, or if the time was not made up, deducted from his next cheque. The high salaries quoted as being attainable by the average employee, were without exception those of the Heads of Divisions, and often as special gradings within a Division, open to only one or two men. The temporary employee is a man without rights. He has no automatic superannuation rights. He has no superannuation rights. He has no rights of appeal in case of dismissal. He can be dismissed with or without reason being given on a week’s notice. He cannot appeal against another appointment over his head or to another position for which he has applied. He cannot appeal against lack of salary increase in a regrading. He could appeal, but would assuredly be sacked forthwith, for appealing against his illegally continued employment as a temporary year in and year out without review or reason given. He does not get the automatic service increment to his salary that the permanent man receives each year. Consequently his salary suffers badly in comparison. In a life time of employment, this alone will cost the temporary man at least £2OOO in loss of wages. The Public Service has been a ‘Police State’ within itself for many years. The personal files at the Public Service Commissioners office are more in the nature of dossiers —to which access by the employee is absolutely barred. There are three personal files. (1) The personal File in the office where the employee works, and to which he is supposed to have access. This is not always given. (2) The personal file at Head Office of the department to which he has no access, as it contains reports on the officer from his immediate heads to the Departmental Head. (3) The dossier at the P.S.C. office which is also barred to the officer.

Reports on Officers are supposed to be read and signed by the employee in the presenc of his Divisional Head. Often they are not. Reports are s ent in without signature, or are given to the employee to sign with the bare statement that "This is your report. Will you please sign here.” Finally, if an employee should find himself in an unsuitable position, he may do as I did—apply to the Careers Officer for assistance in being placed in a suitable branch of the Service. If a permanent employee, his case will be investigated, and he will be told the results. For myself, as a late temporary employee, I applied for this assistance about eight years ago, and am still waiting for news of action. This, then,, is what the Temporary Public Servant can look forward to. I, with many others, resigned from such 'employment' with the vow that never again would I take such work under the P.S.C. If again, it would be with employment under my own terms, safeguarded by a written agreement. But this is a daydream, for the Public Servant must submerge all traces of individuality and bow to the Gods of Precedent and Red Tape. So the Commission is quite justified in the dismissal of Mr. Holmes. Lor Mr. Holmes was a Temporary Employee, and could be dismissed without any reasons being given. His personal files are secure from him. and he cannot see what charges have been brought against him as a Public Servant or from personal reasons The Commission has made its decision. That is the end. There is no God but God, and the P.S.C. is his Prophet.—l am, etc. TEN YEARS WASTED EFFORT.