Future of Work

A picture of OPM director Kiran Ahuja

US government’s HR agency publishes ‘workforce of the future’ playbook

The federal government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has published a new ‘playbook’ outlining actions that agencies can take to revamp HR practices and strategically plan their future workforces. Suggestions […]

UK civil servants make bid for four-day working week

Civil servants in the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have launched a campaign to work a four-day week. Staff at the department have called for a […]
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Australia’s public service commission rejects four-day week bid

The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has rejected a bid by federal government employees and unions for a four-day work week. The bid entered negotiations between public service unions and […]

Most US federal government headquarters buildings less than a quarter full, official report finds

Most of the major US federal agencies’ buildings are a quarter full or less, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO measured employees’ attendance at […]

One third of Canadian public servants consider leaving government over return-to-office rules

More than a third of Canadian public servants are so unhappy with the federal government’s return-to-office approach that they are considering leaving their roles, according to a survey by the […]
A map of Australia

Australian Public Service to tap talent outside Canberra

The Australian Public Service Commission is developing a strategy that would reduce the need for government employees to work in the capital, as part of its mission to become a […]

Nearly half of US government workers could quit if telework reduced, survey finds

Nearly half (45%) of US government employees would consider looking for a new job should their agency reduce remote and hybrid working, according to a new survey. The study of […]
A photograph of a home worker.

Uncapped remote working on the cards for Australian public servants

Australian public servants would be able to request an unlimited number of remote work days under new concessions by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) as part of bargaining talks. […]

Experimenting with flexible working: testing out what works in the new world for public services

Around the world, the way public servants work is a far cry now from pre-pandemic, with hastily-organised remote working giving way to a more considered hybrid model approach. At a […]

Canadian government readies return-to-office mandate in effort to codify hybrid work model

The Canadian federal government will soon require public servants to work from the office at least two to three days a week. The mandate outlining the new arrangement is expected […]