Public Sector Workers

SurreyBear

I work in higher education and we too are facing cuts over the next few years. No job is "safe". But tbh I can see there is room to reduce and to make the institution more efficient. With respect, we seem to have a lot of admin staff who are women who have returned to work after bringing up children - they are not the breadwinner and are just looking for a nice job. They block change and have no ambition for themselves nor the institution. Within my own department we could lose staff (including my own) without affecting service delivery too much. In fact it wouldn't be a bad idea to privatise my department and get competition in.
But the private sector is also like that. A friend who works at mid-senior level in the Pharma industry talks about the jobs-for-life mentality and the inefficiency of the companies.

cazziebo

I see both sides of this. I've worked almost exclusively in the private sector but have worked very closely with the public sector - especially right now.

In all my experience I have never met a public sector employee who has chosen that career because of final salary pensions, job for life, easy time, guaranteed pay rises. Without fail, it has been because that individual wants to provide proper healthcare, design better living space, deliver good service to the public. Yet, also without fail, they are frustrated with bureaucracy, irrelevant targets, feelings of powerlessness, and just ground down with not being able to get on with the job. And now, there is the uncertainty of the cuts. There is something very wrong going on.

I don't believe that by saying that this is what has been happening in the private sector makes it all right. Surely, we should all be looking for dignity and sustainability of employment? We shouldn't be aiming for the lowest common denominator - oh good, we're all under threat now.

There are things we need as a society - medical care, social care, education, waste management, roads etc, We still need these services to be delivered. It's in all our interests we find the best way to deliver them - ill considered spending cuts won't tackle the real issues of poor accountability, weak management and low morale.

Mrs_Ryan

I work in the NHS and I gather that our wonderful government are planning to cut back on the numbers of qualified nurses and replace them with us HCA's. And are we going to be paid any more for all this extra work? Are we heckerslike. CHEERS DAVE!!! :mad: As if we're not worked hard enough as it is!!!

SarEl

SurreyBear wrote: »

With respect, we seem to have a lot of admin staff who are women who have returned to work after bringing up children - they are not the breadwinner and are just looking for a nice job. They block change and have no ambition for themselves nor the institution.

Gosh - have we reached the eighteenth century already? What - it's the 21st? When did that happen?

I cannot believe that I am hearing such sexist c**p.

I mean wow, how extraordinary. There are a lot of admin staff who are women. Ah yes, that would be on account of the fact that parental responsibility is not valued in society, and women are still discriminated against in relation to job opportunities and pay; thus often being found at the lower levels of organisations and companies.

And shock, horror - some of these women shouldn't even be out at work taking up valuable jobs for men, when they are not even breadwinners. It's utterly disgusting - how selfish can these women be, taking up mens jobs and not even being breadwinners. I'll bet you're right, and their incomes are just wasted on fripperies and diamonds, and not even used to keep hard pressed families afloat with the essential earnings they need to survive.

And then they have the audacity to find a "good job". Appalling behaviour on their part. Are there no mines, no foundaries and cleaning jobs any more?

And with all the bountiful things they are given, and they have the cheek to have, in your estimation, no ambitition. Or perhaps people with your sort of attitude have knocked it out of them?

dickydonkin

lady1964 wrote: »

We're not leaving on a voluntary redundancy package and 34 of us out of the 180 are on statutory redundancy packages, nothing enhanced and no pension extras, just the contributions we've already made which will be frozen.

We all live in the 'real world' as you put it so nicely, thank you. We're all supporting each other as we're all pretty much in the same boat, although those who are enhanced packages feel bad for those of us who aren't, and we appreciate their sympathy for us.

We're working hard at trying to stay positive but some days are more trying than others, I'm having one of those days today as I've had to put in an additional meeting to one that I chair in order for us to select a new Chair person - maybe fairly minor but it does bring home that post July, someone else will be doing the job I've done very well for a year :mad:

I was not referring specifically to your situation hence my quote:

Many (not all) will have the opportunity to leave on a voluntary redundancy scheme with enhanced packages and pensions (paid by the rest of us) whereas many private sector employees would only get a basic redundancy payment.

What I was suggesting is that the public sector over many years have not suffered as much in respect of job losses over many economic downturns - surely you cannot dispute that.

Furthermore, in relation to enhanced packages, my daughter and wife who both work in the public sector were offered very generous voluntary redundancy packages - obviously paid for by Joe Public - which they declined.

Obviously not everyone will be so fortunate.

viktory

paulwellerfan wrote: »

alas kids in care are entitled to so much more.

Except a loving family and secure home.

Triker

I work in the public sector, I regularly work many, many hours outside what I should work. I'm increasingly expected to take on more and more responsibilities and duties outside of my role.

I laughingly told my hubby I had been promoted, except I haven't...just expected to do what someone on a much higher pay scale than me should be doing!

I have taken this week as leave, using my precious leave up, not to have fun or a break but to recover from work as I'm getting very stressed and if truth be told, physically remove myself from the place because people are throwing me into situations. This is without consultation with myself and puts me in very risky circumstances.

I receive no overtime, can't claim my TOIL due to work demands, have my pay freeze, have seen my pay decrease in real terms due to petrol prices shooting through the roof, also cost of living. Never, ever had a bonus. Obviously I recieve no benefits other than child benefit.

I'm looking for a complete career change.


Honestly those of you who think people who work in the public sector have got it easy, get real. Morale is very low, stress is extremely high, pretty much everyone I've spoken to wants to get out and no-one feels the least bit valued as a worker.

patchwork_cat

mizzbiz wrote: »

?? Of course I did. Why would I make it up. And yes, they certainly did get overtime pay. And no they weren't anywhere near director level.

Well you see that is were you are wrong above scale 6 there is no overtime pay available (they may get time in lieu) and £40K is PO12, £2K below director grades. The later information is readily available on the internet.

In my DH's section they have lost 25% staff in 6 months through voluntary redundancy and natural wastage and they are not being replaced. I am quite worried about him that he is going to make himself ill trying to cover.

yellowlawn

dickydonkin wrote: »

Welcome to the real world folks!

Although I sympathise fully with the current situation many of you are in, it could be argued the public sector have been relatively immune to the economic maelstrom encountered by the private sector for quite some time now.

Many (not all) will have the opportunity to leave on a voluntary redundancy scheme with enhanced packages and pensions (paid by the rest of us) whereas many private sector employees would only get a basic redundancy payment.

As 'Call Me Dave' says, we are all in this together!

Problem is it's the hard working front line staff who are up for the boot and don't get all the benefits you think.

yellowlawn

Hope the Mods make this a sticky post as I feel lots of people have lots to say back about the Public Sector and what it really means for Joe Public.