Auditor General David Teika Dennis is urging the Ministry of Public Service to urgently enforce the Government’s Attendance Management Policy.
His call came after an audit his office carried out found ineffective implementation has contributed to an estimated $1 billion in wasted public resources between 2023 and 2025.
The findings are contained in a performance audit report by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), which assessed the implementation of the policy introduced by Cabinet in 2015 to address high levels of absenteeism across the public service.
The audit, finalised in June this year, analysed attendance management data from only three of the 31 ministries and agencies reviewed, as these were the only entities able to provide sufficient information on policy implementation.
The Attendance Management Policy was designed to establish and sustain a productive, healthy, efficient and high-performing public service by reducing absenteeism, improving service delivery, increasing productivity and strengthening staff morale.
However, the audit identified several weaknesses in implementation, including the failure to install attendance monitoring systems in public offices, the absence of a clear rollout strategy, limited monitoring and evaluation of the policy, and incomplete enforcement of policy requirements.
The report also found that around 25 percent of payroll costs within the audited entities were associated with unauthorised absences, resulting in significant losses in productivity and public resources.
Other findings included incorrect implementation of the policy and a lack of alignment with Cabinet-approved directives.
Auditor General Dennis said the findings highlight the urgent need for stronger oversight, communication and enforcement of the Attendance Management Policy across the public service.
“This report highlights that the policy is not being taken seriously,” Dennis stated.
“When policies are approved, they must be effectively communicated to those responsible for implementing them, supported by clear rollout plans and timelines for ministries and agencies,” he added.
“The policy was approved by Cabinet in 2015, yet at the time of the audit last year, only two ministries and one government agency had taken steps to enforce it.”
Dennis urged the Ministry of Public Service to ensure the policy is fully implemented to improve accountability and ensure public funds are used effectively for essential government services.
“I am urging the Ministry of Public Service to ensure the policy is rolled out and implemented effectively, so that public funds are spent wisely and directed towards much-needed services,” he said.
