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Original poster

Why are public-sector administrators so crap?

65 replies

longfingernails · 26/03/2011 15:18

Recently, out of whimsy, I decided to interview a couple of ex-public sector types for a new company I have recently started.

I am not talking about nurses and policemen, I am talking about back-office jobs.

LOL.

No wonder the public sector is so rubbish at everything.

The private sector is going to grow a lot over the next few years - but unfortunately, the ex-public sector employees won't get these jobs. They will go to immigrants, or for new positions, graduates.

They are simply too lazy and in general, too unmotivated. They just don't understand why they should go the extra mile - probably because in the public sector, they never have to.

A pity for them - ah well. They can always march for their "entitlements".

OP posts:
TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 26/03/2011 15:32

"The productivity surveys over the years; the statistics on number of sick days"

Wow, you did that much research on two job applicants?

Well, it's the Internet eh, I guess truth is what you make it.

MrsKwazii · 26/03/2011 15:30

Were you happy that the people you interviewed 'out of whimsy' confirmed your stereotype of public sector workers? The people that you interviewed may not have been very good (in your opinion) but that doesn't mean that they are representative of public sector administrators as a whole.

And if the public sector was so rubbish at everything, nothing would ever get done. Yes, there does need to be reform in the public sector, and it wouldn't do them any harm to take more a private sector attitude towards some services and their delivery. However, some private companies could also learn a lot from the public sector too - particularly in regard to being a good employer. There's good and bad points to both.

Mutt · 26/03/2011 15:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
longfingernails · 26/03/2011 15:30

It is next to impossible to get sacked for incompetence in the public sector.

OP posts:
Original poster
longfingernails · 26/03/2011 15:29

Of course, there are crap people in the private sector too - but they inevitably get fired, eventually.

OP posts:
Original poster
longfingernails · 26/03/2011 15:28

Sorry - a question to those of you who have said that public-sector administrators are brilliant.

How many of you actually work in the private sector?

The difference in quality is palpable and self-evident.

OP posts:
Blackduck · 26/03/2011 15:28

have another Biscuit

Original poster
longfingernails · 26/03/2011 15:26

Not just a sample of two. The productivity surveys over the years; the statistics on number of sick days.

However, I would not be so quick to dismiss anecdotal evidence. Impressions are vital.

OP posts:
Meglet · 26/03/2011 15:25
Biscuit
tinierclanger · 26/03/2011 15:25

Perhaps you're not very good at screening cvs?

meditrina · 26/03/2011 15:24

Based on a sample of two?

Oh dear.

Blackduck · 26/03/2011 15:21
Biscuit
Original poster
longfingernails · 26/03/2011 15:21

I blame the union culture.

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 26/03/2011 15:21
Biscuit
ginmakesitallok · 26/03/2011 15:19

Maybe the couple you met were crap - but the majority aren't. All the admin folk I work with DO go the extra mile and are working under very difficult circumstances Angry