Public Services Commission

The Public Services Commission is constituted under the provisions of the Public Services Commission Act 2015.

The Office of Human Resources acts as the agent of the Commission.

Terms and Conditions of Service - Joint Negotiating Committee

The Commission and Unite the Union and the Government Officers’ Association branch of Prospect form the sides of the Joint Negotiating Committee. It is this forum which jointly agrees the pay and other terms and conditions of the employees of the Public Services Commission.

The Constitution and the Arbitration Agreement of the Public Services Commission Joint Negotiating Committee, was approved by the Commission, Unite the Union and Prospect.

Role and Statutory Functions of the Public Services Commission

The Public Services Commission is constituted under the provisions of the Public Services Commission Act 2015.

The Commission has the following functions:

to determine policies relating to the employment, and the terms and conditions of employment, of its employees that are consistent with the Government’s human resources strategy and policies
to employ such persons on such terms as it considers appropriate
by agreement with such bodies as it considers to represent the interests of its employees, to establish as necessary negotiating and consultation committees that include members of such bodies
where appropriate, to negotiate or consult with its employees or their representatives, whether via those committees or otherwise, about the employees’ pay and other terms and conditions of employment
to arrange for the recruitment of its future employees
to organise the training of its employees
to make arrangements for the assessment of performance and appraisal of individual employees of the Commission
to make promotions and arrange for the transfer of its employees between the various stationed employers
where appropriate to discipline its employees and provide for the suspension or termination of their employment
without limiting any duties it has under health and safety legislation, to make arrangements for securing the welfare of its employees
to make arrangements for loss of office in relation to any public sector employee
to make arrangements, with the consent of the employee concerned, for its employees to be seconded to another employer
to determine such other matters that may be considered reasonably necessary for the proper administration and management of its employees
to perform such other functions as directed by the Council of Ministers

A Governance Framework sets out in detail the Commission's functions and responsibilities and related governance arrangements.

Key Responsibilities of the Public Services Commission

Key responsibilities of the Public Services Commission are summarised as:

Strategy – set the Commission’s strategic aims to assure high calibre, appropriately skilled, motivated and rewarded Civil Service
Terms and Conditions of Service – determine the scales and rates of salary and other terms and conditions of service
Establishment – to approve the numbers and grades of post
Performance Management – ensure there is in place effective performance assessment and appraisal arrangements which focus on personal development and the delivery of objectives
Corporate Governance – ensure that high standards of corporate governance are in place and observed
Values and Standards – set the values and standards for the Commission ensuring that the Civil Service know what standards of conduct are expected
Communications – ensure the Commission’s strategic objectives and obligations are clearly understood by the Civil Service, pension schemes’ members and recognised representative trade unions and staff associations
Development of Corporate Human Resources policies – as directed by the Council of Ministers, the Commission is responsible for the development of, and consultation upon, corporate Human Resources policies on its behalf

The Public Services Commission normally meets monthly (first Monday in the month) with additional meetings being arranged to deal with urgent business or to progress personal cases, in respect of employees of the Public Services Commission, as they arise.

Public Services Commission - Membership

Appointed directly by the Chief Minister, the Public Services Commission comprises:

A political Chair: Ms Kate Lord-Brennan MHK
A political Vice Chair: Mr Robert Mercer MLC
Three non-Tynwald Members: Mr Bill Mummery, Mr Kevin Cartledge and a third, currently vacant post.