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Scotland’s Public Sector HR conference
Productivity, Engagement and Future Potential
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Friday 26th February 2010
Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh
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Conference chair:Keynote speakers:- Stella Manzie, Director General, Justice and Communities, The Scottish Government
- Nita Clarke, The Involvement and Participation Association (IPA) and co-author of the UK “Engaging for Success” Report
- Sue Bruce, Chief Executive, Aberdeen City Council
- Liz Jackson, Chair, CIPD Scotland
- Lynne Marr, Partner, Brodies LLP
Also presenting:- Professor George Stonehouse, Dean of Business School, Edinburgh Napier University
- Professor Graeme Martin, Director, Centre for Reputation Management Through People, University of Glasgow
- Ian Andrew, Manager, Scotland, Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Kate O’Hagan, Head of Organisational Development and Capacity Building, The Improvement Service
- Alison Locke, Associate, Brodies LLP
- Andrew Ferguson, CEO, Softworks
- Chris Perkins, Regional Director, Scotland, The Savile Group
- Jane McCartney, Director of Human Resources & Corporate Affairs, NHS 24
In the wake of budget cuts it’s time to examine the role of the most important component of our public services: the people. If we are to improve public services while driving forward efficiencies and making cuts, it is crucial that we improve the Human Resources functions within the public sector. How do we manage people and plan our workforce development in the current climate? What about changes in demographics with an older working population? How does this all affect our local authorities, NHS, the emergency services, education and the rest of the public sector? How can HR add strategic as well as public value? Why do we need to invest in human capital and what impact do engaged employees have on our organisations?
Currently, the public sector wage bill in Scotland stands at about £12 billion, up 61% since devolution. Almost one in four working Scots are employed by the state. Some £2.3 billion is spent on pensions for public-sector workers, whose ranks have risen by 50,000 to nearly 600,000 in the past decade. The wage bill for the Scottish government alone is now £150m a year following a 35% rise in the number of staff since devolution. The Government is committed to improving the quality of public services and the productivity of the public sector in Scotland by reducing waste and duplication.
By operating more efficiently, public bodies can release cash and other resources (such as staff time and buildings) which can be ploughed back into delivering better services. The target of increasing 2% cash-releasing efficiency savings will deliver £1.6bn of efficiency gains in 2010-11. The maths is clear, there can be no increase in the wages bill. But good quality services still need to be delivered and demotivated staff fearing job losses could seriously effect services and the wider economy. What can be done to support staff whose jobs are at risk? Who do you reward and motivate when there are no financial options? How can you ensure that service levels are maintained with limited resources?
This conference will examine ways to improve performance and save money, will look at efficiencies throughout the public sector, address issues such as flexible working and other innovations, the sensitive issues of redundancies, legal issues, absenteeism and staff motivation, retention and skills, and investing in your employees with rewards and benefits.
Attend the conference and learn from the experts, network and share your own best practice. The function of successful Human Resource management in the public sector has never been more urgent with tight budgets and economic uncertainty. With our public sector facing further reform, improving and innovating in HR is not only useful but essential for survival and growth. |
Conference development by: Duncan Thorp
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Upcoming conferences
| September 2010 |
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| October 2010 |
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| November 2010 |
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