Reply to: Public sector employees

[JoJoGabor]

Interesting reading this post. I worked for a system integrators for a major government agency a few years back andswore I would never do i again. I didnt listen to my on advice and started for anoher agency 6 weeks ago, what a mistaka to maka!!

I'm currently looking around as I can currently feel my technical skills diminish by the day. I reckon 80% of my time is spent witing reports with dulicated information while the manager changs his mind and delays any kind of implementation on a daily basis. The project I was hired for keeps getting delayed by a matter of months, the IT dept is way over staffed with a generally incompetent number of people (Not everyone of course, but at least half)

It really is a different way of working and takes a certain kind of person to survive in there. I'm now looking around for permanet work which will involve a substantial pay cut but I have to do it for my own sanity and to keep my career on the go.

[OwlHoot]

Just think how many would be unemployed if the public sector did not exist. Many I have worked with in public sector gigs would be totally unemployable in the private sector.

True, but it's still bad if it makes borderline incompetents, who might improve in the private sector, more unemployable there

[OwlHoot]

Article 13199 of the Pan-European constitution "No person shall be prejudiced from employment in any capacity, at any level, by reason of age, race, creed or incompetence."

or dishonesty.

[Clippy]

Well, you have completely confirmed my thoughts and I am glad that I have actively avoided the public sector for any kind of work.

However, as has already been said, maybe somewhere nice to nestle down in my twighlight years - I just need to work on my tan, limbs and sexual orientation and I'm a shoe in!

[BA to the Stars]

Article 13199 of the Pan-European constitution "No person shall be prejudiced from employment in any capacity, at any level, by reason of age, race, creed or incompetence."

So that's how Bliar, Brown, Blears, Harman, etc. got jobs

[Dow Jones]

Public vs Private sector

I've done the odd contract in the public sector when times were hard and it's true, you are not looked upon favourably afterwards and it's a long road back to top-rate contracts, but you still learn from every contract.
Different mentality, frustrating technology, too many meetings, so obviously not to everyone's taste.
On the plus side, money could be on a par with private sector, contracts tend to be in terms of years rather than months and STILL allowed to smoke within the building in designated areas, or so I'm told. When I used to smoke, we had smoking rooms on each floor (concession to the unions?)

[Spacecadet]

Article 13199 of the Pan-European constitution "No person shall be prejudiced from employment in any capacity, at any level, by reason of age, race, creed or incompetence."

[BA to the Stars]

Just think how many would be unemployed if the public sector did not exist. Many I have worked with in public sector gigs would be totally unemployable in the private sector.

[miffy]

I used to run a lot of training classes and you could spot the public sector workers a mile off.

One particular woman made a complaint about me because the class was too technical and she couldn't keep up.

I'll always remember the comment "Environment variable... look I have no idea what that even is..."

Isn't that something to do with the weather?

Sounds like fun. I'm glad I've avoided the public sector so far.

[threaded]

I know a now extinct company that took on an ex-IR ofal as chief accountant.

They didn't last long after that mistake.

His first act was to send all the on-site employees a demand saying that on the next pay slip he would claw back the tax for their expenses. I kid you not.

The directors of the firm were a bunch of planks obviously.

That is why whenever anyone says this director or that is worth x million squidlies I know for sure it is bollox. Anyone, with a bit of luck and common, can do the job, because I've seen people without either still manage to do quite well.

[Jaded]

The workers in the public sector have it far too easy, whilst there are some good workers generally they have an attitude of doing as little work as possible, knowing the taxpayer will pay their salary.

[scooterscot]

I'll be looking for a permy role at the MoD, it’s more like a social club than work.

It's true - best banter anywhere

Did I tell abuout the time we dropped a landrover out the back of a C130 on top of the wing commander's porsche...

[DieScum]

I used to run a lot of training classes and you could spot the public sector workers a mile off.

One particular woman made a complaint about me because the class was too technical and she couldn't keep up.

Which is sometimes a fair shout but I sat down with her after hours and spent an hour going through what she needed to know... in her complaint she mentioned that she had to stay back late!

I'll always remember the comment "Environment variable... look I have no idea what that even is..."

Although funnily enough she managed to mess up pressing the send button on the evaluation form so it never actually got through. No idea how she managed to do that.

[gingerjedi]

Think I have read on here before some employers not touching contractors who had worked in the public sector - was it in the financial arena?

I used to highlight MoD and Government work on me CV, when I had a re-draft I mentioned the private firms involved but left out the end client and locations... The phone started ringing again!!

When I've made my money and want something easy to keep me occupied I'll be looking for a permy role at the MoD, it’s more like a social club than work.

[BrilloPad]

or ex-public sector employees to be exact.

Have one of them working at the gig I am currently on and boy does it show.

Anyone else share my view that working in the public sector can be the kiss of death for your work mentality and possibly your CV?

Think I have read on here before some employers not touching contractors who had worked in the public sector - was it in the financial arena?

Financial area prefers people already in the financial sector. Alot of people hate the commuting and the stress and the numptiness of the users. I have seen alot of people do 1 financial sector contract then leave for reality. There are 2 at current gig on 1st financial sector contracts. Both very nice clever guys - so unlikely to stick around.