We have a similar problem here in Australia. I believe they recently tried to start putting KPIs on govt workers (I think it was state govt) and people threw a shit fit.

It's a popular opinion here that if you get a govt job, there's pretty much nothing you can do to get fired. I had a friend once who knew he had a chronic illness, and was talking about getting a job with the govt so he could reap lifetime benefits with full pay and just stay home.