Effectiveness of the public service disciplinary framework for the Department of Public Service and Administration

Abstract

The public service takes too long to finalise disciplinary cases despite measures in place to ensure that a period of three months would suffice to conclude any disciplinary case. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), as the custodian of the disciplinary norms and standards of the state, has been used as case study for the research reported here. Disciplinary management is an indicator in the performance agreement of the Minister for Public Service and Administration (MPSA).

The research aimed to determine the effectiveness of disciplinary management in the DPSA. The findings generally revealed non-compliance with the disciplinary framework as disciplinary cases are not finalised within the prescribed timeframe. The research findings were informed by a qualitative thematic analysis and a quantitative analysis. The population consisted of DPSA staff. 121 employees including 12 managers were interviewed, which met the research requirement.

The recommendations are that the DPSA should comply with the disciplinary framework; train managers to monitor and evaluate employee conduct; introduce a periodic review of the disciplinary framework; refer cases of interference with disciplinary management to the Public Service Commission; review the reporting lines for the labour relations unit; institutionalise delegations of authority; develop the consequence management policy,; conduct training and raise employee awareness; finalise investigations within 14 days; initiate advocacy and awareness campaigns; introduce a team of employer representatives; and ensure proper interpretation and application of the disciplinary framework.

Based on this study, a disciplinary management model was developed to resolve the challenges of disciplinary management in the DPSA. The model focuses on the review of discipline management practices; implementation monitoring; and the effectiveness of the disciplinary framework.