To leave the public sector or not?

[Thepineapplemystery]

I currently work in a managerial role in Adult Social care for the public sector, a sort NHS/ Local authority hibrid. I'm a qualified social worker and my role is directly in relation to that, though is predominantly management.

I've been sort of offered a job in the private sector as a project manager for a large company. It's essentially what I do now, just a different client base. I didn't apply for the job; a friend mentioned me and my current role to a friend I also vaguely know, they contacted me and they want to talk further logistics in the new year, but if I want it, the job is mine. It's initially a pay cut (20%) but has scope to increase quickly and beyond what I could earn in the public sector without serious ladder jumping (and even then). I'm really unhappy with the way adult social care is going - the penny pinching, cost cutting, loss of services, loss of person centred planning, the increase in all decisions being how it reduces hospital admissions. The lack of investment and general staff morale is really getting to me. BUT there are big positives - great pension, 32 days holiday, regular opportunity for career progression, training, regular salary increase within my band and significant job security. The new role is 25 days holiday, minimal pension and no bonus scheme (initially at least). The other big downside is ill be working in the same company (and department as DH), though in a really different role - the company know this and have no issue. DH thinks I'll be great in the role, thinks the company is great and is happy to work with me; we wouldn't be in each others line management areas. It would mean changing my commute to the train, but I have always wanted to work in a fancy city office.

I don't know what to do. Logistically with childcare etc it still works, because DH isn't a knob and does his share. DH can only see the £££ potential, though we currently are quite comfortable anyway, he does earn almost double what I do. I cannot work as a social worker outside of my current area (unless I move to kids which I really don't want. Been there, done that!).

Any advice? Things to consider? I'm really tempted, but I just love my current team and colleagues and to feel like I've at least got the chance to make a difference in people's lives.

@Tippexy

If you work in the NHS or local authority you will be getting a defined benefit pension which is almost impossible to beat in the private sector.

No they’re CARE schemes with retirement age linked to national pensionable age and not defined benefit

@De88

How long have you worked where you currently are? Have you worked as a social worker in third sector/health/other local authorities and found it all to be the same?

Agree with another poster above, you know there will always be a job available to you if you decide to go back. It wouldn't be hard to keep your registration, though the new peer supervision element in SWE requirement might be trickier to hit.

Where I am 7 years, previously worked voluntary sector and found it very frustrating and didn't like the lack of focus/ definition. I've worked in 2 different local authorities but one was a very long time ago (very begining of austerity) and the other is suffering a similar breakdown.

Not in LGPS, as I say it's an NHS/ LA hybrid both but neither at the same time!

Pay cut takes into consideration holiday days loss & car allowance loss. I could make the pay cut up in 18 months. I'm on a pay freeze (not agenda for change) and I'm 2 from top of my band, I'm unlikely to move up the next rung in 18 months, because I'm not sure I even want to - I'll be even more responsible for cutting services, and not high up enough to effect change

I'm employed by a local authority and because of my age, I'm not planning on leaving (short of a lottery win obvs).

I'm still a fair bit away from retirement but my projection is looking reasonably healthy, so it might be worth considering what your pension could be if you stayed.

Ultimately, if you are unhappy with aspects of your current role, these tend to chip away at you. It's a lot to weigh up, but sometimes you need to make decisions based on heart rather than head.

@Beakerandbungle

It depends how much working on the public sector matters to you?

I started in the private and moved to the public - sounds silly but it does matter to me at some level working for the public sector. I know it doesn’t matter to other people at all - but I think we all have things that are fundamental to what makes work positive for us and this is one of mine! So that’s something I’d at least consider as well ( I notice you mention making a difference).

This is what I'm not sure about. I think of myself of an altruistic person, I like doing good. I do really worry I'll miss that. Bit similarly I like a challenge, I like being valued and striving to be good at my job. I feel like where I am I should be doing good but I'm almost being used as an agent for bad. Only this week have they released a program of cuts, how we can (basically) remove stuff from people which I'm having to disseminate to my team. It doesn't feel good.

You’d be crazy to switch to private sector. You will lose so much pay and benefits.

You’ll have to be quite strategic to get promoted and pay rises are not guaranteed like they are in public sector. Often the working hours expected to keep up in private sector are higher.

Why not get a promotion in the public sector. There are plenty of jobs for someone with your skills in the NHS- not client facing but corporate roles. Very professional environment not bitchy as you describe! See NHS England, Social Work England etc.

@HeyupitsChristmas

I'm employed by a local authority and because of my age, I'm not planning on leaving (short of a lottery win obvs).

I'm still a fair bit away from retirement but my projection is looking reasonably healthy, so it might be worth considering what your pension could be if you stayed.

Ultimately, if you are unhappy with aspects of your current role, these tend to chip away at you. It's a lot to weigh up, but sometimes you need to make decisions based on heart rather than head.

Thanks. Yeah, I feel like my value base is being chipped away. It's quite heartbreaking actually.

@BungleandGeorge The Local Authority CARE scheme is still defined benefit. It’s just based on career average salary rather than final salary.

^ doesn’t matter where you are in country now. You can work from home and travel into London or Leeds or other local NHS site

Heath foundation and others worth looking at too.

Working from home will be permanent offer I think, with some travelling for meetings.

Knowledge is based on my personal / professional network - I don’t work For NHSE myself

@BungleandGeorge a CARE scheme is a defined benefit scheme.

I would negotiate the salary and expect more than you are currently on to make up for the loss of pension. I would consider leaving a public sector job for private without a significant pay increase because of the pension loss, benefits (check sick pay/ death in service/ maternity/ flexibility) and job security.
Its definitely worth going in with an offer of what salary you think your worth. Then reconsider.
I do think you would always have lots of work to easily go back to you as a social workers so job security might not be a big issue.

One of my sort of vague thoughts is that I believe that for social care and the NHS to function long term, it needs to operate like a business, but without the privatisation. I feel that if I get experience in the world of business I can then re-enter the public sector to make a difference. I'm mad aren't I!?

Haven't RTFT but in my experience went from a not for profit to commercial organisation thinking the grass was greener and we were still squeezed for every penny whilst the directors paid themselves big bonuses. I'm not saying don't do it but don't fool yourself into thinking it will be better. (As it happens I've gone back into a charity because at least there is a sense of purpose).

What are your current sick leave pay compared to the new role.

Public sector here for 18years, never really had anytime off sick (odd upset tummy, bout of flu etc). But have always liked knowing I had the security of six months full pay and six months half pay if I was unwell.

I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and will be having surgery in the new year. I cannot tell you what a relief it is knowing that provision is in place. I also know if for whatever reason I cannot return, I can be retired on ill health and have a reasonable income.

Project manager in a private tech firm doesn't seem that similar to what you are doing now? Definitely don't stay as you feel you should or any other crap like that, but I would look closely at the contractual terms and stuff like sick pay, holidays, actual expected working hours etc before making the leap.

I wouldn’t move , a pay cut with no firm guarantee of moving up the ladder and as a pp said you get 6 months sick pay which you never know when you might need it.

@Thepineapplemystery

One of my sort of vague thoughts is that I believe that for social care and the NHS to function long term, it needs to operate like a business, but without the privatisation. I feel that if I get experience in the world of business I can then re-enter the public sector to make a difference. I'm mad aren't I!?

Yes, definitely mad. Also if you've never worked in the private sector before you might struggle with the increased pace/pressure and then if you return to public you might resent the glacial speed of change.

I've worked in both and I hope nobody takes offense at the above. The value of the work in public sector is without comparison and that is why I want to stay here but the way of working can be odd.

I’m in a similar-ish role to you, OP. I plan to leave the public sector eventually, probably in the next 3-5 years. But I wouldn’t do it for a pay cut. Absolutely not.

If you’re of some worth to this firm, they should at least match your salary if not offer a raise. I wouldn’t leave the public sector on a promise. But then, I am fairly risk averse.

Thanks everyone. You've echoed my concerns and given me lots to think about.