People Management and Employment Relations

Abstract

In recent years the public services have experienced substantial reforms, in terms of structure, organisation, administration and management; not least in people management. These reforms have been particularly marked since the Conservatives came to office in 1979 and are largely a reflection of changing government policies during the 1980s and 1990s. In essence, they are rooted in the belief that enhanced quality, effectiveness and value for money in the public services depend upon the injection of competition, commercialism and private-sector management ideas and personnel practices. Over this period, public services have been exposed to a variety of initiatives, including privatisation, centralisation and decentralisation, deregulation, market testing and subcontracting. These have primarily aimed at: cutting public expenditure; curbing the power of public sector unions and professional workers; strengthening management prerogative; improving standards of public service; and making the public services more responsive to the needs of ‘consumers’.