Private vs public sector which way to go

[anonymous-user]

Left college joined public sector, after 1 promotion left within 18 months due to pure frustration about how they do things (slowly) and piss taxpayer's money mostly up against the wall and went to private sector for (construction related) a few years before self employed contractor in same sector, no guaranteed wages, holidays, sick pay etc. Good money but no challenge so a few years ago went back to public sector to "try and make a difference" 50% pay cut as I had decided money isn't everything.

Now I really can't decide, safe, easy (sort of secure) public sector, reasonable pay, good holidays, pension, dossing about, bored stupid vs who gives a fook private sector think of yourself bks to everyone else and go for it.

It doesn't help as I see myself as a customer first, taxpayer second, gov employee third so don't do 'politics' up to ministerial level very well .

Which way to jump as money is a 'slight' issue but not the be all and end all.

I'm erring heavily back towards self employment/private sector as it's a lot easier less bullst than the "public sector"

All ideas gratefully received

[sausage76]

I went from private sector to public. Had only ever working in private sector before that.

Hated every bit of working in public sector, to many hoops to try and jump to much time wasting and money wasting, to many people with an "opinion" but nobody who would actually do anything.

Left after about 18months back to private sector and will never go back.

[StevieBee]

I've always been private sector but most (90%) of my clients are public sector, mostly local and regional government, so I've seen both sides of the fence from a slightly different perspective.

The one observation I've made that relates to your particular dilemma is that the longer one stays within the public sector, the harder it is for them to get out and there is a high degree of 'institutionalisation' amongst long-termrs.

We've previously offered jobs to council workers, paying anything up to £15k more than were getting. Car, benefits, the whole package. Knowing that these people were pretty unhappy, we thought they'd jump at the chance but none did as they couldn't accept the higher risk associated with life in the private sector.

Now, that all said, I have noticed some very interesting and positive changes in the way a lot of Public Sector institutions are starting to operate, taking a much more commercially savvy approach to what they do. They'll never adopt a fully private stance but I do think there's some positive change ahead.

[Shirt587]

I am in the private sector.

I have worked with (and for) the public sector.

You'd have to pay me a lot of money to go public.

[anonymous-user]

I do a lot of work with both sectors and I'd definitely stay private right now - mainly because that's the sector that seems to be growing at this stage, whereas most public bodies seem to be facing ever-increasing budget cuts.