ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a deeper insight into the work environment of the UK local government organisation in North West of England that embraced the NPM ideology that focused on cost minimisation and enhanced service delivery. The researcher observations of the work environment and the social actors within the organisation, along with the documentary analysis of HRM, well-being and White Paper policies and government documents provided relevant ‘trivia’ or details that helped to construct the story of the working life realities of managers and employees of this public sector organisation. Central themes of a ‘controlled and tense’ working environment, as well as a perceived ‘lack of trust’ between the employer and employees emerged as salient.
