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Introduction to the Themed collection: Public sector employment relations in turbulent times

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Michael O’Donnell ,
Sue Williamson Open the ORCID record for Sue Williamson [Opens in a new window]  and
Michael Johnson
Michael O’Donnell
Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australia
Sue Williamson*
Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australia
Michael Johnson
Affiliation:
The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
*
Sue Williamson, School of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra BC, ACT 2610, Australia. Email: s.williamson@adfa.edu.au
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Abstract

We introduce a themed collection of articles examining how the public sector has responded to, and been impacted by, the COVID-19 crisis. Although the pandemic has affected the roles, functions, economies, governance and structures of public sectors, this themed collection focuses on public sector employment relations. Authors examine significant areas which have been subject to accelerated change stemming from the pandemic. Building on decades of public sector reform, these changes impact public sector enterprise bargaining, terms and conditions of employment, working arrangements and practices, and the relationship between public servants and their employer. The articles in this collection provide important insights into the longer-term influences of the COVID-19 pandemic for public sector workforces. The collection also raises questions around whether the positive lessons from this crisis can be sustained to help manage serious crises in the future, or whether the public sector will slip back into a state of unpreparedness.

Keywords

COVID-19employment conditionsnew public managementpublic sectorJ45J5J81
Type
Themed collection: Public sector employment relations in turbulent times
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , March 2022 , pp. 12 - 17
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2022

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