The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (PSA) says mediation efforts today between the union and the Government on public service work-from-home policies have failed, with the issue now headed to the Employment Relations Authority.
PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said the union was “dismayed to have not settled the matter quickly for public sector workers”.
“While we’re still open to settling this matter outside of the Authority, the government is digging in its heels on its arbitrary wish to force public servants, who have performed to a high standard for years now while working from home, back into the office,” she said.
“Not having working from home as the default disadvantages women, who make up 62% of the public service and who disproportionately hold whanau care responsibilities.
“Working from home is good for women, good for people with chronic health conditions, and good for people with disabilities. It’s good for everyone including employers and even the government too.”
In 2018, the PSA entered in into an agreement – the Gender Pay Principles, following legal action in the Employment Court to establish principles governing work performed by women in accordance with the Equal Pay Act 1972.
The follow up agreement, Flexible Work by Default, gave effect to these principles and was signed by the PSA, CTU, the State Services Commission (as it then was) and the Ministry for Women in 2020.
“The fact of the matter is, the government entered into the Gender Pay Principles and the Flexible Work by Default agreements.”
“You can’t just rip up these agreements when thousands of people rely on them to maintain their personal and whanau wellbeing,” said Ms Fitzsimons.
