Policy to tackle poor work performance by civil servants gets green light

A new policy to tackle poor work performance by civil servants has been given the green light by the Civil Service Arbitration Board, despite concerns by staff representative bodies.

The board says the proposed underperformance policy is “compatible with good HR practice”. However, it recommended its introduction be delayed until January 1, 2017 to coincide with the first year of a revised performance rating system across the civil service.

The CSAB says it believes the manner of the policy’s introduction is equally important to gain maximum support from the country’s 36,000 civil servants. The board examined the issue after Department of Public Expenditure and Reform officials and the Civil Service General Council Staff Panel (CSGCSP) failed to reach agreement in talks which began last September.