How bad is it working for a local authority?

*katie*

Hi all,

I have recently seen a job advertised at a council near me which I have been thinking of applying for as it sounds interesting.

However, I have heard some really bad things about working for councils (mostly, now I think about it, from my old manager who hadn't worked in one) that because of the cuts they are horrible places to work - everyone fears for their jobs, is really stretched, the atmosphere is toxic etc.

My current job is temporary (it ends eight months time) and I know I am very unlikely to be kept on whereas the job at the council is advertised as permanent.

So, I would be really grateful if any current (or recent former council employees) would be able to share how they feel about their jobs? In particular job security? Would you recommend local authorities as good places to work in general?

Thanks very much

sangie595

Trade union official for local authorities.

Yes there are cuts. Where is that not a risk? You have no job security now, so you make a decision. Do people know there are cuts? Of course they do. Is it toxic? Well you may have a toxic department, they happen. They happen everywhere and have nothing to do with Councils or cuts - they are about bad management.

*katie*

sangie595 wrote: »

Trade union official for local authorities.

Yes there are cuts. Where is that not a risk? You have no job security now, so you make a decision. Do people know there are cuts? Of course they do. Is it toxic? Well you may have a toxic department, they happen. They happen everywhere and have nothing to do with Councils or cuts - they are about bad management.

All very true, thank you.

Mr.Generous

The few people I know who work for a council don't work very hard, take sickies when they feel like it and slope off at every opportunity. No private firm would tolerate such lazy and idle behavior but the council do because 1, We are paying for it anyway through our taxes, and 2, they are all at it.
Awaits backlash from hardworking council staff.

sangie595

Mr.Generous wrote: »

The few people I know who work for a council don't work very hard, take sickies when they feel like it and slope off at every opportunity. No private firm would tolerate such lazy and idle behavior but the council do because 1, We are paying for it anyway through our taxes, and 2, they are all at it.
Awaits backlash from hardworking council staff.

Effort at trolling noted. You know nothing about working in local authorities. If anyone is expecting this, don't try working for a local authority - you will be sacked!

Gavin83

*katie* wrote: »

However, I have heard some really bad things about working for councils (mostly, now I think about it, from my old manager who hadn't worked in one) that because of the cuts they are horrible places to work - everyone fears for their jobs, is really stretched, the atmosphere is toxic etc.

Job security isn't great. There are regular redundancies and I've been a lot of people forced to leave. The likelyhood is you'll be massively stretched, likely be stressed and be expected to do the work of multiple people. However I doubt it's any better in the private sector but it's certainly no better in the public sector either.

Personally I'm currently looking to move into the private sector, got a few interviews coming up. I'm not expect it to be any easier (although it couldn't possibly be any worse) but I figure I may as well get paid an extra £10k+ a year in the private sector than the public.

You need to weigh it up.

*katie*

Gavin83 wrote: »

Job security isn't great. There are regular redundancies and I've been a lot of people forced to leave. The likelyhood is you'll be massively stretched, likely be stressed and be expected to do the work of multiple people. However I doubt it's any better in the private sector but it's certainly no better in the public sector either.

Personally I'm currently looking to move into the private sector, got a few interviews coming up. I'm not expect it to be any easier (although it couldn't possibly be any worse) but I figure I may as well get paid an extra £10k+ a year in the private sector than the public.

You need to weigh it up.

Thanks very much for your feedback

I have done plenty of general job searches and the only private sector jobs I can find around here are things I wouldn't be qualified for and minimum wage jobs in shops.

I am really worried about job security so your post has been helpful, if not necessarily what I want to hear.

foolofbeans

I work in local government and there are big changes coming. Government are cutting back all the time and I'm sure you've seen this reflected in the reduction in services. Many local councils are merging due to influence from government so this will inevitably result in job cuts - do you know what is happening in your area?
Saying that...there is a minimum level of staff needed to operate so once this is reached your job is safe. A job in a private company is at much at risk so I don't really see any comparable risk difference.
On the plus - in most public service roles there is training and certification available so even if the role ends you could be better off for the next job role.

DCFC79

Why not apply for the role and see what happens ?

Or can you move nearer where there are more jobs ?

pathtofreedom

Any job you choose you can always leave if it isn't what you thought. Any job you choose for the first 2 years you have no real job security either, even if you pass a 6 month probation.

Depending on what sort of work you do, I can't think how it would hurt your cv working in that environment. So can't hurt to apply, you can always ask when you get to interview more about what the job actually entails day to day, take what they tell you with a pinch of salt, but that should give you an idea of if it sounds too boring or not.

xapprenticex

Mr.Generous wrote: »

The few people I know who work for a council don't work very hard, take sickies when they feel like it and slope off at every opportunity. No private firm would tolerate such lazy and idle behavior but the council do because 1, We are paying for it anyway through our taxes, and 2, they are all at it.
Awaits backlash from hardworking council staff.

ive had the pleasure of working with a few ex council workers in different organisations. on every occasion, they have been lazy and always shy away from work because they had it so easy at the cushy council where they ducked and dived their way through.

I also deal with local authorities throughout the country in my current job and a lot of them are plain bone idle and over emotional. i have met a few good ones too but more not-so-good in my experience.

Thats my experience, if anyone has a problem with it, you know what you can go do.