Staff turnover?

[srebbe64]

I was given some interesting staff turnover stats the other day that made me wonder. Specifically, staff turnover in UK private companies is about 23% and in public organisations it's about 13% (the average is about 18%). Why is this? Civil servants, and the like, are always complaining about their pay and conditions and yet they seem less likely to leave. I can only assume is comes down to two things (or more):

1) Generous pension package;
2) Dunno what else!

Anyone got any further suggestions?

Edited by srebbe64 on Monday 3rd March 16:01

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Fear of the real world?

[AndyAudi]

srebbe64 said:

I was given some staff interesting turnover stats the other day that made me wonder. Specifically, staff turnover in UK private companies is about 23% and in public organisations it's about 13% (the average is about 18%). Why is this? Civil servants, and the like, are always complaining about their pay and conditions and yet they seem less likely to leave. I can only assume is comes down to two things (or more):

1) Generous pension package;
2) Dunno what else!

Anyone got any further suggestions?

Public organisations employ a lot of people with the type of jobs largely exclusive to the pubilic sector, making it harder for them to jump ship to the private sector?

Public organisations are generally larger and therefore more suitable to flexible working conditions them more attractive. Difficult to get private sector work for less than 4 days a week, (in a public organisation everyone you try and get hold of is only in the office between certain times or on certain days)

[chris.mapey]

They'd have to work if they entered the private sector

It's very easy to do the barest minimum to get by in the public sector. Serve your time, and do as little as possible - make some noise & be seen in the right places & promotion is awaiting...

How can I get onto this gravy train

Chris

[UpTheIron]

Many (not all) public sector works would struggle in the private sector because they are not good enough. Of the few that are any good, some are probably scared to move because everybody it (can be) a big jump. Others just like the easy life where they are paid for by the taxpayer.

[NewNameNeeded]

My perhaps way off the mark view is the private sector, with higher salaries available - generally attracts the cream. Being ambitious and being in a ruthless industry the very best will happily move companies to further their career, whilst the very worst will more readily be fired.

My impression of the public sector is summed up largely by one word: plodding. Many of the staff here are not incentivised to do more than necessary and would perhaps be unable to get jobs in the very best private sector companies. As such, with nowhere to go, and no desire to get there, they are content to stay where they are.

[Greenie]

I'm more surprised that 1 in 4 people leave their company. Is that each year? Seems very high or am I reading it wrong?

The common perception (esp on the business forum ) is that public sector workers are pretty crap so wouldn't last in the private sector. Is this really true? Does anyone have any real experience of this or just perceptions.

My own perception is that most are crap but I don't have any experience of working in the public sector and don't know many who have. My perception I guess is based on most of my experience of the public sector as a user-which is pretty poor.

To answer the question I would guess pensions are the reason they stay.

[JustinP1]

NewNameNeeded said:

My perhaps way off the mark view is the private sector, with higher salaries available - generally attracts the cream. Being ambitious and being in a ruthless industry the very best will happily move companies to further their career, whilst the very worst will more readily be fired.

My impression of the public sector is summed up largely by one word: plodding. Many of the staff here are not incentivised to do more than necessary and would perhaps be unable to get jobs in the very best private sector companies. As such, with nowhere to go, and no desire to get there, they are content to stay where they are.

I think this is exactly this.

The more ambitious demographic will want to go for the best salaries and development - thats pretty much only private sector.

From what I have seen from the public sector, no matter how bad an employee or department performs their business won't 'go bust'. There is less pressure to perform, and the better pension etc make it very difficult to go elsewhere. Plodding indeed!

From a lot of public sector 'businesses' I have seen they are run nothing like a business as their prerogative is not to make money, but essentially spend it! As such the things such as economics such as competition and customer service which would make private companies have a culture of improvement and excelling to survive are just not needed in the public sector. And it bloody shows...

[smartie]

another to consider that many civil service jobs don't always have an suitable private alternative, ie hospital staff, teachers etc etc

[srebbe64]

smartie said:

another to consider that many civil service jobs don't always have an suitable private alternative, ie hospital staff, teachers etc etc

Except private hospitals, private schools, etc..

[smartie]

srebbe64 said:

smartie said:

another to consider that many civil service jobs don't always have an suitable private alternative, ie hospital staff, teachers etc etc

Except private hospitals, private schools, etc..

well yes, but a tiny proportion of the industry? I would imagine 90% of nurses work for the NHS?

[JustinP1]

smartie said:

srebbe64 said:

smartie said:

another to consider that many civil service jobs don't always have an suitable private alternative, ie hospital staff, teachers etc etc

Except private hospitals, private schools, etc..

well yes, but a tiny proportion of the industry? I would imagine 90% of nurses work for the NHS?

Private nurses get paid more as do teachers at private schools.

Therefore of course, the cream rises to the top. I would say though that with of course the police, nurses, and fire industry there is no direct private comparison, I think the points above are more relevant to office based civil servants.

[mouk786]

i've seen both sides and people tend to get abused a lot more in the private world (i.e worked really hard) - thats not necessarily a good thing depending on your outlook!

I much prefer public work and the mains reasons why teh staff turnovers are not as high are cause a lot of josb are mainly foudn in the public and not so ocmmon the private sector and also because IME you dont get treated like dirt as much as you may do in a private company.

[Brown and Boris]

Just been looking at a public sector orgabnisation in that very area: overall 8-10% and in the bit I was looking at 4.2-4.7%. Nice pension you see!

[PhilLL]

Surely it's the same reasons why many people never strike out on their own in the private sector - fear and security. They're comfortable with the guarenteed income every month and a 'job for life', and very risk averse IMO.