ChatterBank2 mins ago
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Well I've worked in both.
I noticed little difference between the sectors in terms of commitment and abilities.
The private sector tended to pay more in my experience but good salary progression tended to be based on performance whereas in the public sector annual increments meant some people progressed even if their performance didn't justify it. On the other hand public sector salaries were sometimes frozen by governments whereas private sectors could give increases (or cut salaries) depending on what they could afford.
Job cuts seemed slightly more common in the private sector but also occured in the public sector. I suffered redundancy in both sectors.
In terms of pensions, both sectors offered good schemes 10 years ago. In the public sector final salary schemes were available to most whereas in the private sector some companies din't offer them.
But over the last 5 years or so, pension funds in the private sector, which had to be self funding, were badly hit by Gordon Brown's removal of dividend relief, lower stock market returns and increased longevity. As a result, schemes closed, forcing staff into poor value stakeholder/money purchase schemes, or contributions went up, retirement ages were increased and schemes became career-average rather than final salary. In the public sector pension schemes have been tweaked but to nothing like the same extent- the taxpayer in general just picked up the tab where necessary.
At the moment I'd love to be able to take a job in either sector
I noticed little difference between the sectors in terms of commitment and abilities.
The private sector tended to pay more in my experience but good salary progression tended to be based on performance whereas in the public sector annual increments meant some people progressed even if their performance didn't justify it. On the other hand public sector salaries were sometimes frozen by governments whereas private sectors could give increases (or cut salaries) depending on what they could afford.
Job cuts seemed slightly more common in the private sector but also occured in the public sector. I suffered redundancy in both sectors.
In terms of pensions, both sectors offered good schemes 10 years ago. In the public sector final salary schemes were available to most whereas in the private sector some companies din't offer them.
But over the last 5 years or so, pension funds in the private sector, which had to be self funding, were badly hit by Gordon Brown's removal of dividend relief, lower stock market returns and increased longevity. As a result, schemes closed, forcing staff into poor value stakeholder/money purchase schemes, or contributions went up, retirement ages were increased and schemes became career-average rather than final salary. In the public sector pension schemes have been tweaked but to nothing like the same extent- the taxpayer in general just picked up the tab where necessary.
At the moment I'd love to be able to take a job in either sector
OK I'll come clean, I'm an accountant - retired FCA, many years with KPMG, then in a public company.
An accountant has access to the real nitty gritty.
I have seen public sector waste on an industrial scale.
And I have seen many many private sector businesses fail.
The big difference is that a private sector organisation fails when it doesn't work.
A public sector organisation keeps on and on, costing taxpayers' money
An accountant has access to the real nitty gritty.
I have seen public sector waste on an industrial scale.
And I have seen many many private sector businesses fail.
The big difference is that a private sector organisation fails when it doesn't work.
A public sector organisation keeps on and on, costing taxpayers' money
No, we haven't forgotten, Dave, we are just storing it up to remind Sgt Rock at the appropriate moment.
The Sgt has clearly moved on to other questions now, but for me the answer to his question is that we all knew the 'Gravy Train' of public sector expansion under Labour wouldn't last - it was predicated on the private sector funding it.
The Sgt has clearly moved on to other questions now, but for me the answer to his question is that we all knew the 'Gravy Train' of public sector expansion under Labour wouldn't last - it was predicated on the private sector funding it.
Sgt.Rock, Having worked in the public sector I can honestly state that I worked with people who could neither write a letter or answer a telephone coherently- all vital to the job - and could barely speak english, they were employed on a quota system i.e. immigrant, black, ethiopian, croatian etc and we were expected to carry them. so to accuse buildersmate of not being capable of a job in public service is very unfair and far from the truth.
I work in the public sector for the NHS, have done for a good few years now. I'm a PA so I'm one of those annoying pen pushers I imagine. I run two very demanding specialist services and could easily half my workload and still not be twiddling my thumbs. If we had performance related pay or bonus's, I would be earning a very decent wack, I'm extrememly good at my job. Most of the people I know and work with are very good at their jobs and are generally doing the job of two people in these difficult times.
That said, I have also known/know people at the same level as me and higher who are not doing anywhere near what I do, who are terrible at their jobs and who absolutely don't have a clue what they or their staff are doing, and I can see why the general public could get extremely frustrated if dealing with one of these plebs. I think historically it has been very difficult to fire people in the NHS and people have rather been 're-deployed' and become another departments problem; however things are definitely changing at my trust and I have known them to fire three people in the last few months for essentially not doing their job, I agreed with all three dismissals. I think the private sector has historically been much better at sorting problem staff out.
With regards to the strike, I neither support nor condem them, I'd be pretty cross if it were my pension. I'm not sure where the money is supposed to come from though, all hospitals are feeling the pinch at the moment and there's just not the funding there. I don't know what the answer is.
That said, I have also known/know people at the same level as me and higher who are not doing anywhere near what I do, who are terrible at their jobs and who absolutely don't have a clue what they or their staff are doing, and I can see why the general public could get extremely frustrated if dealing with one of these plebs. I think historically it has been very difficult to fire people in the NHS and people have rather been 're-deployed' and become another departments problem; however things are definitely changing at my trust and I have known them to fire three people in the last few months for essentially not doing their job, I agreed with all three dismissals. I think the private sector has historically been much better at sorting problem staff out.
With regards to the strike, I neither support nor condem them, I'd be pretty cross if it were my pension. I'm not sure where the money is supposed to come from though, all hospitals are feeling the pinch at the moment and there's just not the funding there. I don't know what the answer is.
I couldn't agree more, china, with all your sentiments ^^. I have no idea which part of the pubic sector Brendan was working in, but that's no my experience at all.
I don't understand the concept that the public sector is an overhead. If you are working in the health sector, you can't have the same targets, your target is people's health.
When I worked in the hospice, it was at the time that I was undertaking my management qualifications which were somewhat industry-focused - they kept talking about profits and outputs - I had to translate that into health and death outcomes which is not at all the same thing.
If you're providing services from public or charitable funds, the intention is to deliver that service economically and efficiently, not to make profits.
I don't understand the concept that the public sector is an overhead. If you are working in the health sector, you can't have the same targets, your target is people's health.
When I worked in the hospice, it was at the time that I was undertaking my management qualifications which were somewhat industry-focused - they kept talking about profits and outputs - I had to translate that into health and death outcomes which is not at all the same thing.
If you're providing services from public or charitable funds, the intention is to deliver that service economically and efficiently, not to make profits.
Where were the protests when the private sector pensions were "robbed"? At least the Public Sector are attempting to stand up for themselves. Why do some on here want Public Sector to lose their pensions because private sector pensions have been affected in the past? A very vindictive and childish stance - if we can't have it neither should you.
It would be better if private schemes could be as attractive as those in the public sector but private schemes are run by trustees and have to be financially viable - if they aren't they have to rely on the company to make up the shortfall but the funds to do this are limited. In the public sector the tax payer picks up the tab for any shortfall.
I'd take a lot convincing to believe that paying 6% of your salary for 40 years can go anywhere near funding 66% pay for 25 years in retirement.
However I think it is sad thas the pensions debate has been broadened to include debates about who works hardest/smartest and *** off workers
I'd take a lot convincing to believe that paying 6% of your salary for 40 years can go anywhere near funding 66% pay for 25 years in retirement.
However I think it is sad thas the pensions debate has been broadened to include debates about who works hardest/smartest and *** off workers
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