Confusion exists over who employs local civil servants. A Policy Council review is set to investigate the role of the States as an employer to help clear up the issue.

The review has been welcomed by the Association of Guernsey Civil Servants – it should act as a springboard for other issues such as performance-related pay.

‘We don’t have as much clarity on the role of the States as an employer as would be beneficial to both the States and those employed by it,’ said Commerce and Employment minister Stuart Falla.

‘This States is one of transition.

‘We’re finding things that still need to be investigated and put on a sounder footing. It wasn’t done perfectly three years ago and neither could it have been, because the States is such a complex matter.’

The former Audit Commission wanted employment practices and procedures within the States reconsidered and the recently-approved Government Business Plan identified the need to create a forward-looking culture among all public sector staff.

‘Once it’s been established more clearly which party is the employer, then I believe these issues will be addressed by whatever that body is, so establishing something that may be akin to an employers’ commission,’ said Deputy Falla.

He expected the review to identify other issues an employment authority would look into.

‘It’s an important step to identify who the employer is and who should be addressing these issues and I’m pleased we’re taking it.’

The issue revolves around whether a civil servant is employed by the political board of the department for which they work, the Policy Council, the chief minister or by every deputy.

Deputy Falla said he did not know the answer.

‘Within the terms of conditions of employment you need to know, as an employee, who the employer is and if you have concerns about the way that employment contract is conducted, you need to know who to complain to – many civil servants don’t. They know where to raise those concerns – the line manager – but who can solve that problem? That’s the issue.’

The review will run alongside an investigation of the Education Department’s management, with a two-man team responsible for both.

They will feed into one another, said Deputy Falla.

The civil service review will be led by Graham Robinson, who worked for the States for about 20 years, said Deputy Falla.

Trevor Robinson will concentrate primarily on the Education management review.

He recently moved to the island having retired from a career in the civil service in the UK and set up Ibis Consultants, which is involved in public service development reform.

The AGCS said that as part of the 2006-7 pay negotiations, it gave support to the chief executive’s Modernising the Civil Service proposals.

It believes the planned review is necessary for the continuation of the process.

‘We are very committed in working with the Policy Council on this review and are looking forward to being included and contributing from the outset to ensure a satisfactory and successful outcome for everyone,’ said association vice-president Helen Proudlove-Gains.

‘This is an opportunity for us and the other States employee organisations to work with the Policy Council to further build and strengthen our employment relations.’

The AGCS represents the interests of the established staff of the States.

It has a long-standing relationship with the Policy Council and its predecessor, the Civil Service Board, for the negotiation of pay and other conditions of employment.