Almost a fifth of all employees work in the public sector. Employees working in the civil service, NHS, local government, education, the police and fire services also represent a large and growing body of students taking degree courses at universities. This book explores this important area. It outlines the main developments in the public sector since 1979, including topical issues such as the rise of new public management, decentralization and contracting out. Themes which affect public sector employees are also examined, including: decentralization; contracting out; fragmentation; and the growth of individualism in the employment contract.