Human Rights Commission seeks staff feedback on voluntary redundancies

New Zealand's Human Rights Commission appears to be considering a voluntary redundancy scheme as the agency looks into cost-cutting measures, according to reports.

Employees at the commission have been asked about their interest in the programme, which is only open to permanent staff, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Feedback on the move will be welcomed until June 5, according to the Herald, which cited an internal email. The report comes after the government asked ministries and agencies to cut their spending by 6.5% or 7.5% to reduce annual public service spending.

Meg de Ronde, Human Rights Commission chief executive, said the commission is not exempted from this instruction.

"We're working through these constraints via a range of possible measures, which haven't been formalised at this stage," the CEO told the Herald.

Voluntary redundancies ‘oncerning' move

The Public Service Association, however, described the commission's move as "concerning."

"It's a critical agency holding the government and others with power to account. It needs investment to be able to do that job properly," PSA assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said as quoted by the Herald.

The Human Rights Commission currently has four commissioners and approximately 60 staff in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, according to its website.

If it pushes through, the commission adds to the growing list of agencies in New Zealand seeking to slash headcounts to decrease spending. They include the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Children, WorkSafe, among others.