Nidwalden
The Commission is concerned about the canton’s staff
The district administrator approved the government council’s report on Wednesday.
The Nidwalden district administrator meets in Stans town hall.
Photo: Martin Uebelhart (Stans, June 28, 2023)
The 2022 annual report offers a comprehensive overview of the financial situation and the activities of the canton of Nidwalden over the past year, stated Landammann Joe Christen. What is particularly memorable, unfortunately in a negative sense, is Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which began in February 2022. If you have the feeling that you have at least partially overcome a crisis, the next one will come.
In order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and workers, various measures are necessary, such as promoting training and further education, improving employer attractiveness and creating a positive working environment. “We are now actively and intensively working on it,” said Christen.
It is also important to acknowledge that the effective cooperation and great commitment of the administrative staff made an essential contribution to the success and performance of the canton of Nidwalden in 2022.
Question omissions and inconsistencies
Remo Zberg (FDP, Hergiswil), as President of the District Supervisory Commission (AK), stated that the government and administration had done an excellent job of coping with the high volume of work. The task of the AK is not only to confirm the positive aspects of the annual report, but also to uncover omissions and inconsistencies, or at least to question them. The AK President placed particular emphasis on the staff. “The high fluctuation rate in the annual report, both in terms of retirements and voluntary departures, is striking.” In the case of voluntary departures, the AK sees a direct connection to the employee survey in 2020. The attractiveness of the canton as an employer is rated at an average of 58 points. “That’s alarming,” said Zberg, “and worrying compared to companies or cantons that use the same methodology.” The ratings are also similarly low when it comes to questions of detail. The adjustments to the personnel legislation, which will be tackled in three phases, are not enough for the Commission. She therefore expects concrete measures and results to improve the situation, which go beyond the legal framework, by next autumn.
Finance director Michèle Blöchliger did not want to leave it that way. In 2017, the government council passed the personnel policy for 2025. “We work according to this principle.” This is reflected in the legislative revisions and other measures, such as the revised wage system or the compatibility of work and family. The pension fund was always a topic in the surveys and exit interviews. The revision of the pension fund law will go into the external consultation. A focus is also placed on succession planning and apprenticeship support. “I’m glad if we can then also accept the appropriate goodwill when it comes to financial expenses for the staff.”
Expression of safety and stability
Thomas Wallimann (Greens, Ennetmoos) said that when you compare the reports from the past few years, you are amazed at how many sections are the same. Instead of criticizing this, one could also read it differently: “It is also an expression of continuity, of a certain security and stability of the system.” With a lot of figures and information, it would also be worthwhile to go deeper and explore the connections. «There are holes and voids that stimulate questions. Wallimann also went – more on the humorous side – into the design of the report, which is illustrated with photos of last year’s visit to the Vatican by Nidwalden. “The photos show, good Catholic, practically only men.”
2023-06-29 04:00:45
#Accountability #report #Nidwalden #government
