Modernization Act only applicable to public agencies.

• Author: Ubriaco, Gianni
• Position: SPECIAL PEPORT: HEALTH & SAFETY

Businesses can breathe a sigh of relief as the recently implemented Public Service Modernization Act is not expected to affect them in any way.

"The Canada Public Service Agency was created in 2003 to put in place a new human resources management regime in the public service of Canada," explains the director of media relations at the Canada Public Service Agency, Sharon Bowles. "The Public Service Modernization Act is internal to government, so it only applies to government departments and agencies and it doesn't have any direct impact on any private sector business."

She explains that the agency was responsible for implementing the Act in various stages and that it was fully introduced on Dec. 31, 2005. The idea behind it is to support healthy and productive workplaces and to modernize some of the key human resource processes and management issues in the public service. They include supporting flexibilities in staffing, improving collaborative labour relations, clarifying managerial roles, and strengthening accountability, while also providing employees at all levels with access to continuous learning opportunities and training.

Ultimately, she believes public service employees across the country will benefit from the act since it touches on such a wide range of workplace issues.

"There was recognition that some of these fundamental areas in human resource management had really not been significantly updated in a long time and there was a need to do that," she says.

She adds that countless people within the agency are working closely with various departments to see how well the Act is being implemented, but indicates the work is on-going and change and results will take place over time.

"It's been implemented, but it's like...