Government sector vs Private sector

[glitzy]

Will be joining the workforce soon.

I would like to compare the differences between working in government sector as compared to private sector. So that I know which area I'm suitable for. :huh:

Maybe cotters can share with me the working experience? Is the myth that working in the government sector is "boring" and "rigid" true?

For government sector, I am currently curious about Policy & Planning or Strategic Planning. Any cotter working in these departments? Can kindly share the job scope with me?

TIA! :wish:

[teiko]

IMO, Government Sector:

Joining salaries higher with higher yearly increment but caps at around 7 years in service. Confirmed 13th Month bonus.

Yearly 21 days of Vacation Leave but I think starting from this year, it will be cut to 18 days.

30 days Medical Leave, cut to 14 days from this year.

Stat Board and Government service are still a little different.

Government service you will still get pension offered?? (I think) but Stat Board wont. Health services, I think Govt will get full package but Stat board, the employees are required to pay certain percentage......

Oh and most important, is both Stat Board and Civil service put heavy emphasis on paper qualifications so, your starting salary will use that as an indicator.

Private sector:

Lower starting salaries with no confirmed increment. May/may not get bonus.

Mostly 14 days Vacation leave with the same number of MCs.

But they don't place so much emphasis on paper qualifications and in private sector, you will get more exposure and the probability of you getting promoted is 2x better than in Civil Service.

[namida]

Yes agree with Teiko. If u wanted to have more exposure go to a pte firm and in govt sector u really need qualifications inorder to fetch a higher pay and it is not easy to join this sector.

I have worked around 2 years plus in stat board and another 3 years in civil service, sick of the life in govt. sector and have quitted from it.

Oh and there's no more pension in civil service.

[Dorothy]

glitzy, i've worked in both government and private - i left private to join govt and back at private again...so you should know that i prefer the private sector!!!

govt is less competitive - it is not only a less competitive environment, but I feel it makes a person less competitive as well.

If you start out in govt, suggest you either stay there your entire career, or get out early enough if you want a turn in the private sector..the longer you stay the less competitive you get and can't adapt to private sector.

the people there are not realistic or business minded i felt (my organisation was a GLC actually, so we were profit driven and had to compete with other private organisations). people don't really question what they do to improve things..they tend to do it because they feel the boss has instructed them to do so and therefore they have no other choice.

on the positive side, the bonus can be not bad, and there's payout thruout the year...at different times, making it diffiicult to leave.

it's also less stressful and easier to achieve work life balance, i feel.

what are you looking for in your job? each sector has its own adv/ disadv, so it really depends on each person.

[glitzy]

Whoa, thanks for the responses!

I'm not really sure what I want also.. I've worked as a temp/intern at a GLC, local company and MNC.

I enjoy on-the-job challenges but I observed that you have to work really hard and often, long hours at private sector and your pay isn't a lot, as compared to the government sector that appreciates honours.

But I enjoy the dynamic of young colleagues during my internships... I get this (mis)perception that many of the stat boards/govt units have a lot of older workers..

[namida]

Working as a temp/intern you won't see much coz you do not have the responsibilities of the perm. workers there. If you are a fresh graduate, I really do not encourage you to join government sector. Like What dorothy said, you will become less competitive and u either stay there for life or you leave fast enough so that you are able to adjust to life in pte sector.

I have made a bold step by resigning from a comfortable zone and will want to try in the private sector.

[gin_c_2000]

I've worked for a year in private sector then another year in the public sector.

I started out as an intern in the private company, after which I carried on as a full-time staff. Environment in a private sector is basically very fast-moving, vibrant with more challenges. It depends on the company you're working in, if you have colleagues who are very responsible and passionate about their job, most probably you'll be motivated to work hard as well. The colleagues I have here are those I call friends also, 'cause we're always staying on doing OTs most nights. Depending on the structure of the company, you may get to climb faster if you're more outspoken and excel in your job. In which satisfaction is sometimes derived from there. Again, depending on company, benefits will vary. The benefits the private firm gave sucks, there was not much medical benefits, bonus, no OT/taxi claim etc.

After which I joined a stat board. A total opposite from the private firm I worked in. Benefits were great, 21 days leaves, 5 day-week, medical benefits, 13th month, performance bonus, holiday subsidies. Well, public sector don't necessary means a lot of aunties and uncles. There's a good mix of youngsters and seniors. Seniors are those who've served like 10 years or more. It's those people whom you wouldn't want to anger and mess around with. And they are the ones who would cook their lunches at the pantry and eat in! Less challenges in this sector. Depends on what area of work you are in, job can be rather mandane. Work processes are slow 'cause you either need to go through lines and lines of approval, or other department colleagues have less sense of urgency. The chances of climbing up young are very small. Worse still if you're a diploma grad. But the good side is no OTs, can check out city anytime after work and more job security.

Like what Dorothy said, it depends on what you are looking for. I would say try both sides of the world. You would understand better if you have a taste of both. If you're the kind who gets restless and bored by mandane job easily, go for private sector. But if you think you want to settle down early, have a stable job, then go for public sector.

HTH! Cheers!

[littlemiss]

Hi

Anyone working in Government sectors? I would like to know how is it different from working outside and what are the benefits?

TIA!

[glitzy]

hi littlemiss, there is a thread on the comparison between government sector and private sector..
click here.

[poisoncell]

I heard that private sector sometimes can earn much more. Government sector has thousands of rules which you must follow. It is not as flexible ba.. ppl are more "stone" in head...

[artichoke]

I understand that public sectors are now offering 1 year renewable contracts for management support and executive staff. Am wondering does the contract covers the full spectrum of permanent staff benefits? As in, leaves, medical & dental benefits, variable and performance bonus? TIA!

[birthday_flame]

Hi artichoke, I'm not working in the public sector but I'm holding a job in the private sector with one year renewable contract.

Basically, the benefits are very basic, just 13th month bonus after one year of completion, and bare medical benefits (free consultation with doctors in far, far away places). Other permanent employees will receive performance bonuses, additional small rewards, and insurance, but not us.

Also, I am being managed by an external agency so the claims also come in later. When I was looking for a job, I didn't mind the contract position, but now I think a permanent position really has far better welfare and benefits.

[schnauzie]

hi glitzy,
don't know if it's too late. i am working in a stat board, first posting was in strategic planning and current posting is in policy and planning...what do you wish to know about? prior to that i was working in the private sector. ;p

[ah_shannz]

hihi, i am now on a jobhunt. Currently working in the private sector, a small company with a workforce of around 18 people, including my bosses.

Beginning to feel unhappy and stagnant in this job as the management seems to be all out for $$$ without a concern for the employees.. I'm a university grad (2004), so i have around 1+ yr's working experience, so far in the private sector.

I've sent out applications to stat boards, GLCs etc, and I'm hoping to secure a job in the public sector. Anyone knows how long it takes them to process each application? And what do they look for in each candidate?

[sweetchoco]

hihi, i am now on a jobhunt. Currently working in the private sector, a small company with a workforce of around 18 people, including my bosses.

Beginning to feel unhappy and stagnant in this job as the management seems to be all out for $$$ without a concern for the employees.. I'm a university grad (2004), so i have around 1+ yr's working experience, so far in the private sector.

I've sent out applications to stat boards, GLCs etc, and I'm hoping to secure a job in the public sector. Anyone knows how long it takes them to process each application? And what do they look for in each candidate?

----------------------------
hi,

i'm currently working in govt sect... The trend in govt sector now is that the only employ contract staff.. contract may last for a min of 6mths to a year.. Me too under contract.. They will renew ur contract if they find ur performance up to their satisfactions.. '

I also do have colleagues who have degrees.. & they said that the pay is not paid according to what a degree shld get..

they actually respond to u very fast.. if they u are what they are looking for..

they will ask u basic questions, like "what u know abt this stat board"? "howis it relevant to ur degrees..?" ur past working exp.. & its a panel interview...

So guess its all up to decide u then....

regards
sweetchoco