Public sector disciplinary codes

A LEADING solicitor has warned that failure to streamline and simplify the disciplinary codes for public sector employees will make meaningful performance management reviews of these organisations impossible.

Speaking at the Public Affairs Ireland Conference yesterday, Terence McCrann of McCann FitzGerald solicitors, also said that the Public Service Benchmarking Body should recommend the introduction of a bonus structure that rewards excellence and innovation, similar to the private sector.

He said that the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2005, when commenced, will apply the statutory code of unfair dismissal to civil servants. The legislation has not yet been commenced because it awaits vital accompanying Civil Service Disciplinary Code, which has to be agreed between government and unions.