The Public Service Commission today released the findings of an independent review into social media messages posted during collective bargaining and the lead-up to the public sector ‘day of action’ in October 2025.
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said he initiated the review to provide assurance about the decision-making processes that were followed and to identify any lessons for the future.
Review of strike action social media messaging report
The review found there is scope for improvement.
It found that the Commission was operating in a challenging environment, balancing its responsibilities as the employer in education sector bargaining with its broader leadership role across the Public Service. In that context, the review found the Commissioner was entitled to communicate publicly about bargaining progress and the potential disruption arising from strike action.
The review found:
- the messaging was not sufficiently adapted to the social media environment, which increased the risk of the content not being seen as politically neutral.
- without the context provided in media statements and interviews, recipients of the social media messages might not have understood the Commissioner was required to advocate for his position as the employer in bargaining.
- the Commission’s media statements, and the tiles (social media posts), did not breach political neutrality.
- the Commission’s integrity analysis was robust and appropriately identified risks, but the Commission moved too quickly and did not spend enough time working through the implications of using paid social media advertising.
- there was no direction from Ministers to undertake the social media campaign.
“I accept the review’s findings and recommendations,” Sir Brian said.
“The review does not find we were directed by Ministers. It does not find that we breached political neutrality. But it did find we should have handled this more carefully. I accept that.
“We did the right thing in seeking integrity advice. Where we fell short was not giving ourselves enough time to fully work through that advice before paid social media posts were published.
“The lesson for us is clear. In a high-risk situation, particularly one involving our own conduct, we need to be more deliberate in our steps, fully consider the advice, and make sure our decision-making is as robust as it should be.”
The review makes a number of recommendations to strengthen future decision-making, including allowing more time for integrity analysis, considering external peer review of advice in high-risk situations, and strengthening sign-off arrangements for contentious decisions.
