Support Services for Civil Servants
There are a number of different support services for NI Civil Servants, below is a list of organisations who provide support and guidance to staff;
NICS Human Resources (NICS HR) support all staff in the workplace by providing advice and guidance to line managers and individual members of staff on the full range of personnel issues. Advice can be offered on a number of issues such as the effect on salary, pension and leave allowances; the possibility of working an alternative working pattern as a pre-retirement measure or because of health reasons etc.
The Welfare Advisory Service provides a personal and confidential support and information service to staff in the NICS. Staff have the opportunity to discuss, in confidence, problems of a personal nature which affect their work and or ability to be at work. Welfare staff may thus be able to assist staff in putting forward their case for seeking a change in working pattern or applying for special leave given their knowledge of the background circumstances and, with the permission of the individual member of staff, may be able to provide further relevant background information to either the line manager or personnel officer. Welfare Services may also be able to provide staff with other independent advice about other types of assistance within the community which may also assist with work-life balance.
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Occupational Health Service (OHS)
The OHS enables Northern Ireland Civil Servants to be part of an efficient and effective workforce by promoting and maintaining their psychological, physical and social well-being in the workplace, and to enable the NICS to fulfill its obligations under current legislation. OHS is fully supportive of the principle to promote work-life balance and where appropriate may support staff in their request for an alternative working pattern as a means to improving health and well-being.
NIPSA (Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance) is the largest trade union in Northern Ireland with over 37,000 members in the civil and public service. It exists principally to represent, protect and promote the interests of its members. For many years NIPSA has sought to achieve this by negotiating terms and conditions of service that are consistent with healthy workplace policies and work-life balance. In addition NIPSA is equipped to provide representations on an individual basis when personal circumstances require. NIPSA has also negotiated procedures under the equal opportunity remit and health and safety at work arrangements which contribute to a progressive work-life balance policy.
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First Division Association (FDA)
The FDA represents civil servants from Grade 7 upwards. It is a UK – wide trade union with Headquarters in London. Its negotiations are therefore mainly with Cabinet Office, London, over issues such as pay, allowances and contracts, many of which are applicable in Northern Ireland on a parity basis.
Industrial staff are represented by a variety of trade unions depending on the work discipline that they carry out within the NICS.
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Civil Service Benevolent Fund
The Civil Service Benevolent Fund is the principal Civil Service charitable organisation. The Fund’s voluntary income is raised through regular monthly contributions from members and from numerous generous donations and bequests.
This money is spent on:-
a) granting assistance in cases of need, in money or kind to Civil Servants, former Civil Servants and their dependants;
b) providing, or subscribing to the provision of, residential and nursing services or any other facility or benefit for Civil Servants, former Civil Servants and their dependants who are in need.
Both serving and retired Civil Servants are referred for assistance by their departmental welfare officers.
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Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association (NICSSA)
NICSSA was established in 1950 and operates under the auspices of the Department of Finance as a sport and leisure provider for NI Civil Servants. The aim of NICSSA is to improve the health and well being of its members and their families by developing and promoting a wide range of high quality and affordable sporting, leisure and lifestyle opportunities.
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Additional Facilities Offered at Departmental Discretion
⇒ Childcare Schemes;
⇒ Staff Counselling Services;
⇒ Employee Assistance Programmes;
⇒ Information Packs - Childcare/Eldercare
Further advice on any additional facilities offered by individual Departments may be found in a variety of ways, e.g. by asking line managers, personnel staff or welfare officers, via staff bulletins, staff notice boards, circulars, intranets etc.
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Outside Support and Advice
In addition to what the NICS offers, staff may also avail of additional support and advice from outside agencies such as Social Services; Voluntary Bodies; Inland Revenue and The Citizen’s Advice Bureau.