In late 2023 nearly 2200 workers in Fórsa represented grades in Local Authorities took part in our survey on attitudes to local government. This staff survey is the most comprehensive ever undertaken in the sector, reflecting the lived experience of workers across our local authorities.

A report summarising the results of the survey was presented last week to the Divisional Executive Committees of the Local Government and Local Services and the Municipal Employees divisions.

This report highlights a number of workplace issues affecting those working in the sector, including staffing shortages and the lingering effects of grade drift since the recession, while also detailing experiences of abuse faced by those working in frontline roles. 

The report outlines widespread support for the introduction of a job evaluation scheme, which 4 out of 5 respondents said they would apply for. This is in response to workers carrying out duties which should be assigned at a higher grade than which they are employed, and industrial action last autumn.

Further to this, the report highlights key concerns around burnout and unsustainable workloads stemming from the under-resourcing of staff in local authorities, and with more than a quarter of workers considering job opportunities outside of the sector. This causes concern for future recruitment and retention of staff in a number of local authorities.

Fórsa National Secretary Richy Carrothers said:  “Across the local government sector, workers have witnessed an increase in aggression and abusive behaviour while carrying out their work. In fact, 8 in every 10 workers who interact with members of the public have had to deal with aggressive behaviour.”

The report further highlights the growing concern among local government workers for their personal safety and the threat of the far right, with those who have experienced abusive situations citing inadequate support from management following such instances of abuse.

Richy continued: “We are calling for management to actively engage with staff and their representatives to identify and mitigate the risks of workplace violence, abuse and harassment effectively. There is a legal and moral obligation on the employer to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees, and any failure to do so is a clear dereliction of their duty”.

The data from the survey will enable Fórsa to emphasise to management what our members care about and the impact these issues have on our members.

Read the full report here.

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