anyone work in the public sector?

[paddingtonbear1]

I'm currently applying for a couple of jobs (I'm in IT). One is as an IT consultant - had 2 interviews, but no answer yet. It sounded like there was an unspoken rule on doing regular extra hours, but I did say I couldn't do this, and also that I didn't want to travel outside the Greater Manchester area. They seemed ok with this. The other job is for a university! My skills and experience are a good match and I've been told I will get an interview. The two couldn't be more different though, and I've not worked in public sector for years. Does anyone have experience of both private and public sector? I have one dd about to start school in sept. I do have childcare, but maybe public sector is more flexible? From my experience private IT firms aren't very!

Lots of MNers work in universities but am not sure any are in IT.
IME the private sector pays better but gives you less benefits - I'd look at the jobs on their own merits without worrying too hard about the sector.

I moved to public sector IT when I was pregnant (literally - interviewed at 28 weeks, imagine any private firm hiring at that stage, it just wouldn't happen). IME it is much more flexible but equally that is down to having a very good boss.

IT consultant instantly says travelling and extra hours to me (as that's what I used to do).

Yes I'd deffo go for the interview at the university, as you can't always tell what the job would really be about otherwise can you? I'm not sure about a consultancy type job for the reasons tribpot has said. I guess you wouldn't go back to that tribpot?! Extra money but it may be unfair on dd and dh.
My current boss is pretty good, but my job isn't that safe and the scope is very limited. I won't leave lightly though, have already turned one job down. What you said makes a lot of sense MrsB!

Could never go back to that, paddington. Even though I'm the sole breadwinner in my family (dh is chronically ill) we've always agreed that that kind of lifestyle isn't for us now we have ds. Having said that, I earn a decent whack in the public sector and we have years of contracting behind us, so it's much easier for us to make that 'sacrifice' than it might be for other people - so I certainly wouldn't criticise anyone else's choices.

The public sector have more 'guidelines' to follow (and are regularly required to prove that they follow) that mean they are supposed to be 'better employers' in terms of benefits, flexibility, discrimination, fairness etc etc.
MrsBadger is right, basically private = higher salary and possibly higher expections on the 'work' side of work/life balance, public sector = lower salaries but (in theory at least) more rights

Although not remotely techy I manage IT people within my team at a university. How flexible university jobs are vary hugely as each School or Central Service will have its own culture. I work in a hugely flexible School (if DD is ill I "work from home" no questions asked)but the trade off is that you are expected to get the work done, we don't do lunch hours etc. and most people take work home. I know in another School they stick very much to "rules" so emergency time off for sick kids is unpaid, you MUST take a lunch hour, no flexi etc. Personally I couldn't stand that kind of environment and that School is not well-regarded in the University as they are seen as jobsworths.

thanks for the info guys. I've applied for the job as it does sound interesting, although for me the location isn't great. One of the other guys in my office is applying for it as well! This could be interesting!