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One third of Canadian public servants consider leaving government over return-to-office rules
More than a third of Canadian public servants are so unhappy with the federal government’s return-to-office approach that they are considering leaving their roles, according to a survey by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). The union, which represents 72,000 public service professionals in the federal government and some provincial departments…
All inclusive: making hybrid offices work for everyone
The shift to remote and hybrid working has delivered many benefits for both employers and employees, including a better work-life balance and, in the main, higher productivity. But there are challenges too, not least ensuring that all home and office workspaces are appropriate for people’s needs, and that less social contact doesn’t adversely affect individuals’…
New rules of engagement: the changing role of public service leaders post-pandemic
The world is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic but with crises becoming more common, employees will continue to need new support mechanisms so they can function at their best. At a GGF webinar, Jack Aldane heard panellists discuss how the pandemic has altered the role of civil service leaders, and why keeping staff engaged will…
Great expectations: creating the civil service working environment of the future
Remote and flexible working, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion… when it comes to the workplace, all of these things and more have been thrown into sharp focus since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having had to fundamentally shift working practices almost overnight to enable employees to deliver new and vital public services from…
We’re all teleworkers now: flexible working policies in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia
As social distancing rules are relaxed, will civil servants be drawn back into the office? Pablo Jimenez Arandia examines the emerging policies on flexible working in four big countries and some ambitious small ones “Employers need to recognise that if they don’t support flexible forms of working, they risk increased employee turnover, reduced employee engagement, and limitations on their ability to attract talent…
Pilot project launches to get Canadian federal workers back to the office
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has launched a voluntary, pathfinder project to support a return to office work. More than 200 employees in the national capital region, which includes Ottawa, signed up to be part of the small pilot, which started on Tuesday this week and allows workers to return to the office, the…
There’s no going back: the future of hybrid working in civil services
Research shows that many officials do not want to return to the office full-time after the pandemic. At a recent GGF webinar, experts from across the world discussed how governments are implementing new ways of working and explored risks and opportunities they face. Ben Willis reports “Hybrid working is certainly on the minds of all…
UK officials keen to retain remote working, survey finds
The vast majority of UK civil servants have adapted well to remote working and want to continue working flexibly after the pandemic, according to new research – though there are concerns around collaboration, security and data protection practices. Some 73% of respondents said they can carry out all their responsibilities while working remotely, according to…
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Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
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