Public sector job satisfaction has plummeted to +34% compared to +45% this time last year, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) quarterly Employee Outlook survey.

The survey reveals that 18% of public sector workers now think it likely they could lose their job as result of the economic climate, compared with just 7% in April 2009, while 39% of public sector employees say their organisation is planning to make redundancies, up from 14% a year ago and (63%) of public sector workers think it would be difficult to get a new job in contrast to 56% a year ago.

The survey also shows that private sector staff remain hard hit by the ‘real economy,’ with a net job satisfaction score of +36% compared to +46% last year but job security concerns have eased. The findings record a fall in the proportion thinking it is likely they will lose their jobs (from 23% to 20%) and just 9% saying their employer plans redundancies compared to 17% a year ago.

Ben Willmott, CIPD senior public policy adviser says: “Public sector leaders need to focus on communicating why change is needed and to consult with staff to find the best ways of making efficiencies without cutting frontline services.

“The role of the line manager becomes increasingly crucial to ensure that individuals are given clear and well communicated objectives, feedback on performance, and are also developed and coached on the job.

“Line managers are also the best people to spot the early warning signs if someone is not coping at work and to manage absence effectively. Equipping line managers with these skills is a priority if public sector productivity is to improve in the face of swingeing cuts.”

Rob Crossland, chief executive of umbrella firm Parasol, says: “It is possible that public sector cuts could affect the recruitment industry. Contracting is anti-cyclical and the steady uptake in the private sector could counter balance any public sector fall.

“I think it is also important to mention that the definition of a public sector contractor is also relevant. There is a marked difference between an agency nurse (for example) and an IT contractor being used on an NHS project. In that example, there is a key difference about where the impact will be most felt.”