Most public sector workers do not think their pay should be linked to performance, according to the latest survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Its annual Employees attitudes to pay survey finds that only 36% think their salary should reflect their performance, compared to 54% in the private sector. Over half (55%) believe pay should reflect the cost of living, with three in ten saying pay levels should be decided via a trade union negotiated pay deal.
Charles Cotton, rewards adviser at the CIPD, said: ‘Establishing a closer link between pay and performance in the public sector is a key element to improving service delivery and value for taxpayers.
'However, linking pay to performance does not come without its management challenges. It’s encouraging to see that there is some appetite in the public sector for performance related pay, with one in three workers agreeing that their salary should reflect their performance, but if performance related pay is introduced, public sector managers will undoubtedly find it challenging to retain levels of motivation and engagement amongst those who think other factors should determine their pay.’
The survey also found that just 20% of public sector workers were awarded a pay increase in 2012, compared to 73% in 2008. Of those surveyed, 42% in the public sector said they considered their pay level as fair.
