Nearly half of non-constabulary staff 'interested, potentially interested' in offer
The New Zealand Police is set to offer voluntary redundancies to corporate staff as part of public sector-wide cost-cutting orders from the government.
A police spokesperson said the design and process for the voluntary scheme is still under consideration, while consultation on the proposed changes is set for August.
"We are engaged with the Police Association, Police Leaders' Guild and Public Service Association on this work and will continue to engage with them throughout the consultation process," a police spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.
The voluntary redundancy scheme will not impact the organisation's frontline employees,, according to the report.
The move comes after the police were ordered to make cost savings of $55.1 million, which would see the organisation have fewer corporate staff, according to Andrea Conlan, police deputy chief executive of strategy and performance.
Police executive has also "agreed in principle" to offer voluntary redundancy as part of its cost-saving measures after a survey among its workforce, Conlan added.
The poll, which was carried out among non-constabulary staff, found that 54% would not be interested in taking up a voluntary redundancy.
The remaining 46% are either interested or potentially interested, according to Conlan.
"For those who answered 'potentially,' 82% said the driver that would have the largest impact on making a decision was written confirmation of their financial entitlements," the Police said as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The planned workforce reduction in the organisation is in line with the recent government directive to cut costs in the public sector.
The order has seen other ministries, such as the Ministry for Children and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, impose job cuts within its workforce.
