Public sector jobs
Discussion
I've started a low level PS job. Was really surprised at the whole environment. The Xmas buffet went on all day even other departments complained about the noise, there were three Xmas parties. The managers chats all day. My boss showed me the job they said it takes two days to do, I said I can do it quicker, they said you can't. Takes me two hours instead of two days and no incentive to do more, as don't want to upset my manager.
Really odd there is no emphasis on improving things. My manager spends maybe an hour working the rest chatting. Is this normal. In civil service?
Also on the face of it, everyone is friendly but I find it superficial they all have groups and cliques, which is in both private and public. Is it because the ps is a job for life. Definitely never seen this is the private sector?
It is like a different world.
Really odd there is no emphasis on improving things. My manager spends maybe an hour working the rest chatting. Is this normal. In civil service?
Also on the face of it, everyone is friendly but I find it superficial they all have groups and cliques, which is in both private and public. Is it because the ps is a job for life. Definitely never seen this is the private sector?
It is like a different world.
There was a no incentive because there is no end goal. The private sector have to make a profit to exist, the more profit, the better off everyone should be and have job security.
The public sector costs money. It doesn't produce a profit and if it misses it's target, so what? So heavily unionised there is little comeback on departments or individuals.
Just remember, the private sector ultimately pays for all the public sector.
The public sector costs money. It doesn't produce a profit and if it misses it's target, so what? So heavily unionised there is little comeback on departments or individuals.
Just remember, the private sector ultimately pays for all the public sector.
You must be in a different world.
Most departments I know of are understaffed, underfunded and have mandatory compensation for missed sla’s. No Christmas party here only a lunch paid for out of staff’s pocket taken out of peoples own time.
So if you have all that spare time and budget might be worth speaking with your director and get it moved to another department, I’m sure they will be grateful.
Most departments I know of are understaffed, underfunded and have mandatory compensation for missed sla’s. No Christmas party here only a lunch paid for out of staff’s pocket taken out of peoples own time.
So if you have all that spare time and budget might be worth speaking with your director and get it moved to another department, I’m sure they will be grateful.
mickythefish said:
I was surprised I suggested a quicker way how quickly I was shot down.
Alan Clarke diaries, he's a junior Govt minister very pleased he's saved a tidy sum from the department budget, his civil servant staff "oh no sir, you need to spend that or they'll cut our budget for the next fiscal year"mickythefish said:
Is it because the ps is a job for life.
Wouldn't be so sure about that - my wife was a Civil Servant and moved departments three times before the 4th closed and there was nothing left locally so she took voluntary redundancy.I think she was the only one left of her original department - others weren't picked up as Departments closed.
In all of them they were pretty keenly managed - she said HMRC was worst. Anyone not performing was managed out - sure, it was a drawn out prcess but it was done like that to make sure people weren't victims of the cliques you refer to.
Sadly that’s the mentality. My wife works for public sector, having previously been private sector. It frustrates the hell out of her and there is a real reluctance to improve and innovate as you would normally get in industry.
One year her goal was to get x% of incoming calls to complete a survey afterwards. As she pointed out to her manager shouldn’t they be looking at the feedback and scores, but was flabbergasted to learn that no one was analysing the survey scores and feedback so the surveys were irrelevant. If in any month she didn’t hit the %age of calls she was still pulled up for it as that had been the goal cascaded down from the top.
One year her goal was to get x% of incoming calls to complete a survey afterwards. As she pointed out to her manager shouldn’t they be looking at the feedback and scores, but was flabbergasted to learn that no one was analysing the survey scores and feedback so the surveys were irrelevant. If in any month she didn’t hit the %age of calls she was still pulled up for it as that had been the goal cascaded down from the top.
I'm just a temp, fixed term contract to cover. My skill is being able to use computer systems to improve work efficiency. I suggested to my managers manager a report could be written,they said I shouldn't do that. It would close massive black holes.
So I didn't and now do the work how they want. I've also noticed a few massive weaknesses in the systems but again no incentive to even suggest anything, just do my work. I was going to look for ps jobs but really not sure now.
So I didn't and now do the work how they want. I've also noticed a few massive weaknesses in the systems but again no incentive to even suggest anything, just do my work. I was going to look for ps jobs but really not sure now.
bompey said:
One year her goal was to get x% of incoming calls to complete a survey afterwards. As she pointed out to her manager shouldn’t they be looking at the feedback and scores, but was flabbergasted to learn that no one was analysing the survey scores and feedback so the surveys were irrelevant. If in any month she didn’t hit the %age of calls she was still pulled up for it as that had been the goal cascaded down from the top.
Managers do lots of daft things because they're ordered to. My daughter had a Saturday job in WHSmiths and it was mandatory to ask customers buying a greeting card if they wanted a stamp. They often didn't have any, but still had to ask - you can imagine how those conversations went! Edited by Sheepshanks on Wednesday 3rd January 12:37
mickythefish said:
I'm just a temp, fixed term contract to cover. My skill is being able to use computer systems to improve work efficiency. I suggested to my managers manager a report could be written,they said I shouldn't do that. It would close massive black holes.
So I didn't and now do the work how they want. I've also noticed a few massive weaknesses in the systems but again no incentive to even suggest anything, just do my work. I was going to look for ps jobs but really not sure now.
Most managers I know are under pressure to find savings and fast. Just look at councils and the amount of 114 notices about to be filed. I can’t believe you have a manager who is fine leaving said money on the table. So I didn't and now do the work how they want. I've also noticed a few massive weaknesses in the systems but again no incentive to even suggest anything, just do my work. I was going to look for ps jobs but really not sure now.
Sheepshanks said:
bompey said:
One year her goal was to get x% of incoming calls to complete a survey afterwards. As she pointed out to her manager shouldn’t they be looking at the feedback and scores, but was flabbergasted to learn that no one was analysing the survey scores and feedback so the surveys were irrelevant. If in any month she didn’t hit the %age of calls she was still pulled up for it as that had been the goal cascaded down from the top.
Managers do lots of daft things because they're ordered to, My daughter had a Saturday job in WHSmiths and it was mandatory to ask customers buying a greeting card if they wanted a stamp. They often didn't have any, but still had to ask - you can imagine how those converstaions went! Tigerj said:
Most managers I know are under pressure to find savings and fast. Just look at councils and the amount of 114 notices about to be filed. I can’t believe you have a manager who is fine leaving said money on the table.
I think this authority is ok. I think it more the ethos of just only doing it the way they want you to do it.Jordie Barretts sock said:
Alan Clarke diaries, he's a junior Govt minister very pleased he's saved a tidy sum from the department budget, his civil servant staff "oh no sir, you need to spend that or they'll cut our budget for the next fiscal year"
That's pretty much anywhere where there is a large workforce with many different departments, projects, branches and so on and very much not limited to the public sector.In another life I was a branch manager and the above was true. If I underspent on wages then next year's budget would be changed to acknowledge the underspend. No manager wants to be without staff (as it then means the manger has to pitch in - perish the thought) so in the last month overtime would be given out freely and in some cases they didn't even have to work it. All done to protect future budgets.
mickythefish said:
I've started a low level PS job. Was really surprised at the whole environment. The Xmas buffet went on all day even other departments complained about the noise, there were three Xmas parties. The managers chats all day. My boss showed me the job they said it takes two days to do, I said I can do it quicker, they said you can't. Takes me two hours instead of two days and no incentive to do more, as don't want to upset my manager.
Really odd there is no emphasis on improving things. My manager spends maybe an hour working the rest chatting. Is this normal. In civil service?
Also on the face of it, everyone is friendly but I find it superficial they all have groups and cliques, which is in both private and public. Is it because the ps is a job for life. Definitely never seen this is the private sector?
It is like a different world.
Sorry this sounds like BS to meReally odd there is no emphasis on improving things. My manager spends maybe an hour working the rest chatting. Is this normal. In civil service?
Also on the face of it, everyone is friendly but I find it superficial they all have groups and cliques, which is in both private and public. Is it because the ps is a job for life. Definitely never seen this is the private sector?
It is like a different world.
Which part of the Public Sector are you in? What’s your department and grade?
What was the 2 day job that you did in 2 hours?
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff