I'm a current Canadian public service employee, and have been for the past six years (two years full-time). Seeing the employee reduction programs take effect has been eye-opening, as many employees have been laid off, sent into early retirement, re-assigned to a different position and/or department, or have seen their full-time work converted into part-time.
At the same time, my department is reorganizing various training programs for supervisors and managers. The irony is that as we're kicking people out of the public service we're making it harder for those who want to move up to do so.
Personal example: I just spent four months away from home undergoing training for a supervisor position I've been in since December 2012. I spent six months in a supervisor's role (without being paid for it) with the understanding that it was good experience, and that I would be promoted following that four months of training. So I dealt with it, no big deal. (The promotion is an additional $5,000 per year.)
Now I'm being told the rules have changed, and that promotion is no longer possible without an additional two months away from home on another course.
To me this is a huge slap in the face. It's a loss of confidence and credibility in my employer's word. The options now are basically:
1. Suck it up, they lied, go on the course;
2. Suck it up, they lied, stay working as a supervisor without being paid for it; or
3. Quit.
On the other hand, I've had a few friends and family members suggest that it "isn't really that bad" or try to play the "you're lucky to have a public service job at all." Sure, the job itself is good, but that doesn't make me feel any less lied to or taken advantage of.
What would you do in this situation?
At the same time, my department is reorganizing various training programs for supervisors and managers. The irony is that as we're kicking people out of the public service we're making it harder for those who want to move up to do so.
Personal example: I just spent four months away from home undergoing training for a supervisor position I've been in since December 2012. I spent six months in a supervisor's role (without being paid for it) with the understanding that it was good experience, and that I would be promoted following that four months of training. So I dealt with it, no big deal. (The promotion is an additional $5,000 per year.)
Now I'm being told the rules have changed, and that promotion is no longer possible without an additional two months away from home on another course.
To me this is a huge slap in the face. It's a loss of confidence and credibility in my employer's word. The options now are basically:
1. Suck it up, they lied, go on the course;
2. Suck it up, they lied, stay working as a supervisor without being paid for it; or
3. Quit.
On the other hand, I've had a few friends and family members suggest that it "isn't really that bad" or try to play the "you're lucky to have a public service job at all." Sure, the job itself is good, but that doesn't make me feel any less lied to or taken advantage of.
What would you do in this situation?