Finance
April 27, 2015
Managing the Public Sector Workforce
Government Outlines an Attrition Plan That Will Gradually Realign the Public Service
Through Budget 2015, the Provincial Government will begin a five-year attrition plan that will see a total of 1,420 positions removed from the public service by 2019-20, as employees exit the public service through retirements and resignations. This includes core government departments and boards and agencies reporting to government. The plan will result in a total savings of approximately $300 million over the five years. The reduction will be achieved in a gradual, managed method with set annual targets, allowing Provincial Government core departments and the broader public service to prepare and realign their work processes to adapt to a smaller workforce.
"Our government recognizes the calibre of work provided each and every day by our public service. Our five-year attrition plan allows for the gradual reduction of the total number of public service positions throughout the province through retirement and resignations. To minimize the impact on programs and services, we will be putting plans in place to readjust how we provide services with a smaller workforce. This will be achieved through operational efficiencies and comprehensive human resource planning."
- The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat
Starting in 2015-16, a total of 87 positions will be removed from core government departments annually through to 2019-20 - a total of 435 positions. Over the same time frame, 197 positions will be removed annually from the broader public service for a total of 985 positions. The broader public service includes health authorities and school boards, which represent the largest employers in the public service.
"Using historical data regarding the number of retirements and resignations, this plan is designed to replace approximately eight of every 10 employees, or 80 per cent, who leave the public service each year. While our government has to make tough decisions to address our current fiscal challenge, we also want to protect the economic progress we have made. Quickly reducing the public service through a widespread reduction of jobs not only impacts our ability to deliver programs and services, but negatively impacts the economy. Our gradual approach will allow us to avoid harming the province's economy as well as ensure we maintain our competent, professional public service."
- Minister Wiseman
Currently, there are over 8,200 people employed in the core public service with nearly 40 per cent 50 years of age or older. The total number of employees in the entire public service, including core government departments, is over 46,000.
QUICK FACTS
- Through Budget 2015, the Provincial Government will begin a five-year attrition plan that will see a total of 1,420 positions removed from the public service by 2019-20, resulting in a total savings of approximately $300 million.
- Starting in 2015-16, a total of 87 positions will be removed from core government departments annually through to 2019-20 - a total of 435 positions.
- Over the same time frame, 197 positions will be removed annually from the broader public service for a total of 985 positions. The broader public service includes health authorities and school boards, which represent the largest employers in the public service.
- Currently, there are over 8,200 people employed in the core public service with nearly 40 per cent 50 years of age or older. The total number of employees in the entire public service, including core government departments, is over 46,000.
- For a larger profile of the public service visit //www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/hrs/.
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Media contact:
| Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications Department of Finance 709-729-6830, 728-4104 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
2015 04 27 11:40 a.m.