MORE than a third of Victoria’s Commonwealth public servants will consider quitting their jobs within the next two years, a report says.
The figures are revealed in the latest state of the Australian public service update, which also shows an increase in sick days.
In Victoria, one in 10 employees plan to leave the public service within 12 months.
Most employees who planned to leave cited lack of career prospects as the key factor.
More than 10 per cent from all states and territories intending to leave blamed “a perceived experience of bullying and harassment”.
The average unscheduled absence rate increased by half a day in the past financial year to 12, and sick leave rates also increased, from 8.5 days to 8.6.
CPSU spokesman Julian Kennelly said he was not surprised by the figures, as the government had failed to invest in its own people.
“This government prefers to instead colonise departments with contractors and consultants at twice the cost to taxpayers,” he said.
“While sick leave had mirrored what occurs generally across the Victorian workforce the recent spike is directly attributable to the service and job cuts.”
He said services were collapsing and public anger was being directed at staff.
“Absenteeism is the result and senior departmental managers should be alive to this cause and effect.”
Victorian public sector employees are also the least likely to report bullying when they see it compared to workers in other states.
Of employees who had witnesses bullying in the workplace, only 33 per cent said they were likely to report it.
Mr Kennelly said employees were reluctant to report bullying because it could become career defining.