Are civil servants overprotected?
Civil servants have too much protection compared with the private sector.
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
What's at stake: Civil service status protects the neutrality of public service; its critics see a privilege that's no longer justified compared with the private sector.
The left's argument
Their status shields public officials from political pressure and keeps service neutral.
The centre's argument
Keep the status for roles of authority, and hire on contracts for the others.
The right's argument
A job for life is no longer justified when the private sector has none, and it hurts efficiency.
And you, where do you stand?
Answer 30 situations like this one and find out where you stand, topic by topic.