Civil service or private sector job?

[littleCupcake123]

Hello all,
I have two job offers and I am trying to decide between them. One position is in the civil service and the other is a private sector job. The private sector job has offered more money but the CS offers more flexibility and a more family oriented working environment. I have no children but we are ttc and I wonder if having more flexibility will help me juggle childcare once we have children? Any thoughts to help me make a decision?
Thank you.

I work in the civil service, I would go for the private sector job. It's true that we are given a lot of flexibility when it comes to working patterns for example, but my workload is immense and I often end up working evenings and/or weekends to compensate for reduced hours in my working week with no compensation for it. It's exhausting. All of my colleagues are exhausted and demoralised at the moment.
That said, the civil service is vast and covers a huge variety of work, so it might depend what the job is that you are going for.

It is up to you. Go for the second career.

I have a similar choice to make but I have DC. I think it will be civil service..the flexi time they are offering sounds like a dream!

I have worked for civil service and local government and it is not as flexible as it may seem, so yes I would go for the private sector one

I joined the civil service last year having worked in the private sector for 15 years. The flexibility is great as is the pension. The workload is quite heavy but varied and interesting. I suppose it depends on the department but I can't image returning to the private sector.

I have just joined the civil service. They waffle on about flexibility but the introductory leave is not great, and the days are stacked with meetings and the bureaucracy is immense. Bear in mind I worked in Higher education before - do absolutely used to large employers with complex stuff. I’m already applying for other jobs.

But I’d check the terms of the private sector maternity leave if at all possible.

@Midnightstar76
Could you elaborate?

I was told it's flexi time, will get extra hours back, can work full time over 4 days, have choice of home or office, can do school drop offs and pick ups and make up the hours in the evenings, they will give me time for personal developement in working hours etc.
salary is on a low side but it sounds amazing!
In my private sector job i'm expected to do extra hours but there is no way I could take anything back..

If you are TTC have you looked at the maternity leave provisions? CS mat leave is good, but I think you have to have been in post for a year to qualify, otherwise its just statutory. Is the private sector role more generous?

It will depend on what the career progression is in both? Private sector may have a lot higher earning potential. PS employers are doing more to address flexi working nowadays and also pensions have to be provided so there is less difference in that regard than before.

Thanks everyone this is really helpful! I guess the CS is very broad and there can be many differences in flexibility which are probably also department specific.

@GuidingSpirit The private sector role is 4 months full pay and you qualify if you've worked at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the due date (so similar to shared parental leave).

@SeasonFinale My sense is that career progression in the private sector might be better as it's a a big MNC whereas the CS job is a non ministerial department so not a lot of upward movement as not that many roles available.

@GreenVia that does sound like a dream which is why i'm just really worried about passing on the private sector job despite the pay difference.

I work civil service and would say private sector all the way!

I'm civil service and wouldn't go back to the private sector. The flexibility is amazing and my workload is heavy but manageable. The annual leave isn't great for new staff though

How do the holidays and pension compare?

I'm fairly certain that you won't get anywhere near the level of employer pension contributions in private sector. Isn't Civil Service around the 26% mark?

Consider the pension before making a decision - some civil service pensions around 27% which could be worth more than pay rise.

Also, some private sector jobs also have heavy workloads and long hours, not a specific civil service issue. Depends on the company.

The civil service is a vast sea of thousands and thousands of very different jobs, so this question is so broad as to be meaningless really. I spent a long time in the private sector before joining the civil service nearly 10 years ago and I wouldn't go back, but this is largely because the work is so much more exciting here. The pension benefits are great also. But that doesn't really help you, as you have not been offered my job!
I do think the civil service has a lot to offer, but you might get more meaningful input if you give more details. I would fully understand if you chose not to do that on here tho.