"Firms wary about hiring public sector staff"
Discussion
Telegraph said:
Firms wary about hiring public sector staff
Four in 10 companies are “nervous” about hiring former public sector staff, according to a major study.
The findings raise fresh concerns over whether the private sector is able – or willing – to absorb the tens of thousands of job cuts expected from the public sector over the next year.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which conducted the survey of 4,000 businesses, said although the labour market appeared to be improving, companies seemed reluctant to hire former state employees.
Adam Marshall, policy director at the BCC, said there was still a perception among some employers that public sector workers would not make a good cultural “fit” for their workforce, and that their skill sets were too different.
He said: “There are a huge number of talented people already in, or coming into, the jobs market – some are from the private sector and some are from the public sector. Employers have quite a lot of options right now about who they hire and unfortunately there is sometimes a perception issue about public sector employees.
“There is a feeling that some of these people coming out of the public sector may not be wholly suited to their business or business model.”
The research comes as official figures show total unemployment in the UK fell by 17,000 in the three months to February, to reach 2.5m.
Employment rose by 143,000 over the period to 29.2m. The increase was driven by full-time work, the Office for National Statistics said, suggesting the private sector was starting to create jobs.
But Mr Marshall said candidates with a private sector background who had lost their jobs in the recession were likely to be snapped up first by some employers.
A number of companies are looking for staff who are used to a cut-throat business environment, with the ability to deal with big budgets and accounts, or sell products to customers, he said.
Businesses did not want to spend extra money retraining former state employees to become better suited to the job when they could hire a “ready” private sector individual already possessing the right skills, Mr Marshall added.
He called on public sector employers to do more prepare their staff for jobs in the business world, so their skills are more readily transferred.
This could include anything from CV tips and interview technique to retraining and guidance on the types of jobs available.
A separate survey cast further doubt over the ability of the private sector to create jobs this year.
Just 30pc of human resources (HR) directors expect the size of their workforce to grow in 2011, with about half (50pc) expecting headcount to remain constant, the study by Taleo, a talent management company, found.
Two in 10 employers forecast having to make redundancies or keep vacant positions open to reduce headcount this year, the survey of 500 employers found.
Just 22pc expect an increase in the number of workers leaving voluntarily this year compared to 2010, with 57pc forecasting no change.
The report, seen by The Daily Telegraph, said: “Although business prospects are beginning to improve for many companies, the reality is that businesses must accommodate growth within a static employee base.”
LinkFour in 10 companies are “nervous” about hiring former public sector staff, according to a major study.
The findings raise fresh concerns over whether the private sector is able – or willing – to absorb the tens of thousands of job cuts expected from the public sector over the next year.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which conducted the survey of 4,000 businesses, said although the labour market appeared to be improving, companies seemed reluctant to hire former state employees.
Adam Marshall, policy director at the BCC, said there was still a perception among some employers that public sector workers would not make a good cultural “fit” for their workforce, and that their skill sets were too different.
He said: “There are a huge number of talented people already in, or coming into, the jobs market – some are from the private sector and some are from the public sector. Employers have quite a lot of options right now about who they hire and unfortunately there is sometimes a perception issue about public sector employees.
“There is a feeling that some of these people coming out of the public sector may not be wholly suited to their business or business model.”
The research comes as official figures show total unemployment in the UK fell by 17,000 in the three months to February, to reach 2.5m.
Employment rose by 143,000 over the period to 29.2m. The increase was driven by full-time work, the Office for National Statistics said, suggesting the private sector was starting to create jobs.
But Mr Marshall said candidates with a private sector background who had lost their jobs in the recession were likely to be snapped up first by some employers.
A number of companies are looking for staff who are used to a cut-throat business environment, with the ability to deal with big budgets and accounts, or sell products to customers, he said.
Businesses did not want to spend extra money retraining former state employees to become better suited to the job when they could hire a “ready” private sector individual already possessing the right skills, Mr Marshall added.
He called on public sector employers to do more prepare their staff for jobs in the business world, so their skills are more readily transferred.
This could include anything from CV tips and interview technique to retraining and guidance on the types of jobs available.
A separate survey cast further doubt over the ability of the private sector to create jobs this year.
Just 30pc of human resources (HR) directors expect the size of their workforce to grow in 2011, with about half (50pc) expecting headcount to remain constant, the study by Taleo, a talent management company, found.
Two in 10 employers forecast having to make redundancies or keep vacant positions open to reduce headcount this year, the survey of 500 employers found.
Just 22pc expect an increase in the number of workers leaving voluntarily this year compared to 2010, with 57pc forecasting no change.
The report, seen by The Daily Telegraph, said: “Although business prospects are beginning to improve for many companies, the reality is that businesses must accommodate growth within a static employee base.”
Great comment underneath:
"For years Senior executives in the Public Sector have argued they should get similar salaries to their private sector colleagues because that was what they could earn if in the private sector. It now appears they were wrong and in truth the private sector would not touch them with the proverbial barge pole."
Our company has had a load of CVs from ex Labour MPs and their lackeys/staff/general hangers on.
We've had a few of them in for interviews in just for s
ts and giggles. Never before have I seen such a huge selection of st suits, st shoes, st ties and monumentally st candidates.We wouldn't touch anyone who's got laid off by the public sector. You've got to be HOPELESS to get fired from it.
Soovy said:
We wouldn't touch anyone who's got laid off by the public sector. You've got to be HOPELESS to get fired from it.
I think this has been its achilles; there were good, honest, intelligent and/or hardworking public sector workers, but they were weighed down by dross who were chronically mismanaged.I know of a treasurer who made a real (dismissable in the private sector) f
k-up and, rather than be fired, was simply shunted sideways into another post, which wwas hopefully out of harm's way.Johnnytheboy said:
Telegraph said:
Firms wary about hiring public sector staff
Rather than fire 500,000 of them, the government should just cut all of their salaries (and pension entitlements) and invite them to find a higher-paying private sector job if they don't like it.
As most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector, one can understand the animosity towards them. The public sector has more funds to ensure a wider training regime, whilst most commercial organisations hire in the expertise they require rather than train for it.
Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
I guess they have this strange idea that the public sector will want lots of holidays, sickness and pensions..............
But then on the other hand, I suspect there are those who are actually well able to transfer across and would be an asset, I am sure that some will accept that they won't get the same benefits in the private sector as with the Govt.
But then on the other hand, I suspect there are those who are actually well able to transfer across and would be an asset, I am sure that some will accept that they won't get the same benefits in the private sector as with the Govt.
Zod said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Telegraph said:
Firms wary about hiring public sector staff
Rather than fire 500,000 of them, the government should just cut all of their salaries (and pension entitlements) and invite them to find a higher-paying private sector job if they don't like it.
Of course, there are public sector staff out there who are capable of working hard, but I think that most private sector companies do not want the risk of hiring one of the unionised slackers who are the equivalent of swallowing a poison pill.
Saddle bum said:
As most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector, one can understand the animosity towards them. The public sector has more funds to ensure a wider training regime, whilst most commercial organisations hire in the expertise they require rather than train for it.
Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
Hmm this is up there for candidacy of most delusional post of the year.....Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
pugwash4x4 said:
Saddle bum said:
As most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector, one can understand the animosity towards them. The public sector has more funds to ensure a wider training regime, whilst most commercial organisations hire in the expertise they require rather than train for it.
Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
Hmm this is up there for candidacy of most delusional post of the year.....Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector
What, in diversity and that stuff innit.
Soovy said:
Sensational isn't it?
most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector
What, in diversity and that stuff innit.
To be fair he is partly right, if they didn't get sent on training courses and the like they would have to do some work then we would all be in trouble. most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector
What, in diversity and that stuff innit.
Chrisw666 said:
Soovy said:
Sensational isn't it?
most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector
What, in diversity and that stuff innit.
To be fair he is partly right, if they didn't get sent on training courses and the like they would have to do some work then we would all be in trouble. most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector
What, in diversity and that stuff innit.
A different opinion. He refers to the civil service though, not pub sec.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2...
Saddle bum said:
As most public sector workers, especially in middle management positions, are better trained than those in the private sector, one can understand the animosity towards them. The public sector has more funds to ensure a wider training regime, whilst most commercial organisations hire in the expertise they require rather than train for it.
Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
Most public sectors are extremely well trained. No one knows what for, but for several weeks a year everyone will be off training on something or other. This is instead of the private sector stance of cross that bridge when it is required, not just so someone can have a few weeks off a year.Non professional senior management in the private sector are nothing short of barrow boys in a smart suit. The senior Civil Service are all degree trained and are bloody good at their job, albeit considering they are answering to politicians, who are, in general, woeful when it comes to academic achievement.
As for senior management, you obviously think that someone with a degree is the only way to become a manager. For all the senior managers I have met from the civil service I am yet to meet anyone who would succeed in the private sector due to their lack of initiative.
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