Partner Article

Morale low among public sector workers

Disillusioned public sector workers appear to have hit a new morale low going into 2012, new research shows.

The findings of the Hays Career Outlook Survey (undertaken in Nov/Dec 2011) shows that more than 52% of job seekers said they would be prepared to sacrifice their pension for a career in the private sector.

Nearly two thirds of workers also considered the public sector a worse place to work following the recession.

The perceived higher job security in the private sector was highlighted as a pull factor for public sector workers, although despite this they remain fiercely defensive of their pensions.

Elsewhere, the findings show over three-quarters of public sector employers are concerned that they will struggle to keep skilled workers, and almost half say they will be unable to attract the skilled people needed for the twelve months ahead, and 80% believe this will have an impact on the delivery of public services.

Almost two-thirds of public sector workers said the public sector is a worse place to work compared to before the recession, as opposed to 40% in the private sector.

76% of public sector employers believe the sector is more stressful now than it was a year ago.

Andy Robling, public services director at Hays, said: “These results indicate the potential dangers ahead for the public sector if something is not done to address poor morale and the perceptions some workers have about what the two sectors offer in terms of career progression and job security.

“The news that over half of workers in the public sector, who often choose work there to make a positive difference to society, would consider trading in their pension for a career in the private sector, underlines how keen they are to move.

“Whilst conditions in the private sector are challenging too it is clearly one step ahead of the public sector in terms of attracting and motivating talent.”

Both sectors reported difficult working conditions, with employers describing morale as ‘pressured,’ and results from the survey show that their employees agree.

Public sector employees blame the government, while their private sector counterparts blame the global economy.

Robling added: “In order to be in a position to tackle these important challenges in 2012, it’s vital that employers in both sectors take action now.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .