The impact of government funding models on work organisation and employee conditions' in non-profit community services

This paper explores the workplace impact of government funding models used in the non-profit community services sector. Recent attention has been on the effect inadequate funding has on levels of remuneration. We focus, however, on less visible impacts of funding models on work organisation, work conditions and organisational identity, drawing on a detailed case study of a large multi-service agency. We argue that the marketisation of care through the competitive tendering process can shape the conditions of work in ways that trump the impact of industrial regulation through ‗disappearing' the articulation work and the sheer workload required to both manage and deliver services on the ground. A strong identification with the social justice ethos of many sector agencies may offer employees some compensation for lean work organisation and high workloads. However, this can also be compromised by funding models that frustrate attempts to provide responsive and holistic services for clients.