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Public Service Modernization Act

Strengthened management practices.

BY Bill Rankin, Communications Officer, Communications and Citizen Engagement

Photo: Bill Rankin

More than 350 CSC staff from across the country—union bargaining agents and leaders, and Human Resources Management Sector (HRMS) employees— gathered at the Correctional Management Learning Centre (CMLC) between February 14-15 to learn about implementation of the new Public Service Modernization Act and the effects it will have on hiring practices within the federal government.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone attending to gain a common level of understanding and a shared vocabulary,” said Assistant Commissioner Simon Coakeley, Human Resources Management. “There will be challenges and opportunities stemming from the new employment act. In particular, it will change the way government selects people for various positions.”

Coakeley cautions that it won’t make the selection of employees easier overnight. He says that new rules will challenge staff to rethink fundamental assumptions concerning hiring and HRMS will have to let go of familiar old rules and adapt to the new way of doing business. “Short-term pain for long-term gain” is how the Assistant Commissioner characterizes the process.

Bob Fisher, Ontario Regional Analyst for HRMS, led the team that organized the conference inside a very tight, three and one half-week time frame. Funding arrived thanks to the Strategic Investment Fund, a special parcel of resources provided by Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada to assist federal departments in getting the ball rolling on HR modernization. Without that infusion the conference would not have taken place.

During the two-day event, the CMLC gymnasium was abuzz with lively discussion. “There are so many discussion issues that we had to divide the participants into 23 groups to address them all,” Fisher commented. “Senior management says they will respond to all of them and the commitments that are made at this conference will be publicized.”

Unions will have opportunities to advise HRMS as they develop policies and procedures based on the new act.

Feedback from the conference is now available on the InfoNet.♦