PRIVATE SECTOR STRIFE

[Sgt.Rock]

If working in the private sector is as bad as some would have us beleive, why didn't private sector employees quit their jobs in their droves and join the Public Sector "Utopia"?

[rockyracoon]

I think a lot of people would like to but there are no jobs. The council my mum works for is only advertising internally with positions.

[boxtops]

Because there aren't any jobs, that's why, I work in the public sector. We lost hundreds of posts in the last six months and recruiting if someone leaves involves walking on hot coals. We are all multitasking and covering other people's jobs these days - there are no new jobs to be had unless people retire, and even then they are not going because they are still fit and able to work - and want to - so there are still no vacancies.

[Euphemia]

Many of them would if they could.

[Sgt.Rock]

I'm not speaking of now but in the past when there where lots of posts available.

[Prudie]

Well probably because they didn't fancy the wages then.

[lcg]

yay! go sgt, go sgt!!!!

[237SJ]

Maybe their jobs don`t exist in the public sector. When I was 23 I applied and got jobs in the Foreign Office and Cabinet Office. I turned them both down. Pension or no pension, I don`t regret it.

[Sqad]

Depends what sort of person you are.....if you want a safe 9-5 job with little competition from your colleagues then the public sector would be fine. If on the other hand your relished competition to improve performance and enjoyed the cut and thrust of everyday life, then, maybe , the private sector is your choice.

One of the disadvantages of the public sector is that the target is usually "mediocrity" and excellence in the private sector.....generally speaking.

[rockyracoon]

My first two jobs where in the private sector and the terms and conditions were awful, I then got a job working for a trade union, god I thought I was on holiday, loads more money, holidays etc excellent employers.

[boxtops]

Wow, that's damning, sqad - and not my experience at all. We worked damned hard in the NHS to maintain the standards and deliver in our part of the service - what's a 9-5 job?

[Sgt.Rock]

Labour created 600,000 Public Sector jobs between 1998 and 2005, so a few oppotunities there.

[Sgt.Rock]

Or even opportunities.

[boxtops]

They did then, Sgt Rock, there was more money than sense in the sector in those days, but in the past year the cuts have been hugely swingeing and many people who got jobs in the profligate days are now out of work again. This time last year, my employers had to save a million pounds a week in the six months to this March - that could only be done by cutting staff and services. The jobs just aren't there any more, and when the PCTs go in March 2013 there will be a good few more NHS people looking for work.

[Sqad]

boxtops.....i did say "generally" and working both in the NHS and totally private, i stand by my comments.

Private practice was relaxed and fulfilling, but the NHS was rushed, corners cut and administratively frustrating.

Private Practise the harder on worked and the degree of excellence was reflected in one's salary, but in the NHS your salary was not performance related.

[ichkeria]

I have worked in both public and private sector office environments and from my experience the standards of management, challenge, fairness in the former far outweigh those in the latter.
Other people with experience of both doubtless would say different -rthere are lots of factors and variables within each, but I'd suggest that only those with experience of both can fairly comment.

[Sgt.Rock]

OK boxtops - Perhaps my question should be better addressed to those who did not ever quit their private sector jobs to work in the Public Sector? How come they missed the gravy train?

[boxtops]

Sqad - private medicine, yes - the non-clinical private sector in general is not all like that. I've worked in both.

[boxtops]

Sgt - because in the early days, private was better, when I first worked in industry the wages were higher and we got bonuses (whether we deserved them or not). I wouldn't have moved, all that time ago.

[237SJ]

Unfortunately, the public sector has never known the word "competition". Maybe that`s the problem. Maybe that`s why it was awash with money years ago and it is in the situation it is in now.

[Sqad]

boxtops....you may well be right, but the Private Hospitals that I worked in seemed to have loyal staff and long serving.