Union to sue DWP over ‘divisive’ bonus scheme

The
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has started proceedings in the high
court to sue the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over imposed changes to
its controversial bonus scheme.

Under
the DWP’s ‘performance and development system’, managers have to work to
quotas, whereby only a certain amount of staff can obtain top quality ratings,
regardless of the amount of workers who are top performers. The union maintains
that the scheme is unfair and divisive.

The
PCS is arguing that changes to the bonus system for people working for the DWP
in Jobcentres, benefit offices, at the child support agency and in the pension
service amount to a breach of contract.

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PCS
general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Senior managers have to realise
they cannot go around unilaterally imposing changes in such an arrogant,
high-handed fashion believing they are above the law."

By Michael Millar