Job Opportunity in Public Service

Nia55

Hi

I’m just looking for some advice on a new job opportunity. It’s an EO position in public sector organisation.

I’m currently a manager in a large private sector organisation. There is a lot of stress and long hours involved in the job. The pay is reasonable and there is a performance related bonus also (not guaranteed).

With the new position I will have a great deal more work life balance but a financial hit of about €900 net per month. As I will be on an incremental pay scale, the financial hit will eventually work itself out and I feel the work life balance will be worth it in long run.

Just looking to hear from anyone who had made a similar move private to public and was it worth it?

Thanks
Niamh

uck51js9zml2yt

Nia55 wrote: »

Hi

I’m just looking for some advice on a new job opportunity. It’s an EO position in public sector organisation.

I’m currently a manager in a large private sector organisation. There is a lot of stress and long hours involved in the job. The pay is reasonable and there is a performance related bonus also (not guaranteed).

With the new position I will have a great deal more work life balance but a financial hit of about €900 net per month. As I will be on an incremental pay scale, the financial hit will eventually work itself out and I feel the work life balance will be worth it in long run.

Just looking to hear from anyone who had made a similar move private to public and was it worth it?

Thanks
Niamh

Definitely worth it. Went from a career in the private sector to CO and then EO.

It's so worth it , I'm looking for a demotion back to CO as we've moved to the far side of the country and staying in Dublin during the week isn't an option long term. Pay will go up plus you've the chance for promotion. Add to that a day and a half Flexi a month.

shesty

I picked this thread up on the main page. I did it several years ago out of necessity (recession), have moved through a few public bodies since then for various reasons.


Honestly I think from my experience it depends on your priorities. For me, I was at an age where we thinking of having kids, and I felt there would be better chance at a work/life balance in public sector. That being said, the money was rubbish to start and it didn't help that it was 2011 - but then that's the trade off isn't it - guaranteed job and pension (yes, I know all about levies etc) for much slower wage progression.


In the longer run it's been worth it for me. It depends where you end up I guess. The biggest shock to my system was the work. I came from an extremely fast paced industry, where everything had to be done yesterday and there was always more work than one person could manage. I felt like I hit a wall going into the public sector.It was a big adjustment. Nothing moves quickly, things were debated ad nauseum and there is definitely a "way" of viewing things and responding to things that is very public sector.

But - on the other hand, the public sector is a creature of statute mostly. I can 100% see the need for public servants to not be able to be got rid of by different governments. You meet people from incredibly interesting backgrounds, and the opportunities can genuinely be many and varied, depending on where you are working. There tends to be really good training and many areas will fund further personal study.The workings of the State and Government are in equal parts frustrating and fascinating.So far in my experience work/life balance has been really good and that's important to me.


So I guess it really depends on what you want yourself from your life at the moment.It's not a bad move, but it will be different. Does the money mean more to you than that?

Nia55

Emma Wet Chest wrote: »

Definitely worth it. Went from a career in the private sector to CO and then EO.

It's so worth it , I'm looking for a demotion back to CO as we've moved to the far side of the country and staying in Dublin during the week isn't an option long term. Pay will go up plus you've the chance for promotion. Add to that a day and a half Flexi a month.

Thanks 🙂

nazzy

Hi OP. I made the move four years ago and I haven't looked back. I absolutely love it. Similar to the poster above, I was at an age of marriage and kids.

So I weighed up the loss of earnings as I had an extra 6 days leave, a possible 19 flexi days per year, shorter commute and then the increments meant I would be back up to my old wage soon. I also moved to a job that has a decent amount of Travel and Subsistence. So it helped with the drop too.

And the emotional relief was priceless. The job role was something I loved so weigh up your enjoyment from the role too.

But down the line, the opportunity for promotion and then shorter working year and ease of parental leave and things like that could be another benefit.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Nia55

shesty wrote: »

I picked this thread up on the main page. I did it several years ago out of necessity (recession), have moved through a few public bodies since then for various reasons.


Honestly I think from my experience it depends on your priorities. For me, I was at an age where we thinking of having kids, and I felt there would be better chance at a work/life balance in public sector. That being said, the money was rubbish to start and it didn't help that it was 2011 - but then that's the trade off isn't it - guaranteed job and pension (yes, I know all about levies etc) for much slower wage progression.


In the longer run it's been worth it for me. It depends where you end up I guess. The biggest shock to my system was the work. I came from an extremely fast paced industry, where everything had to be done yesterday and there was always more work than one person could manage. I felt like I hit a wall going into the public sector.It was a big adjustment. Nothing moves quickly, things were debated ad nauseum and there is definitely a "way" of viewing things and responding to things that is very public sector.

But - on the other hand, the public sector is a creature of statute mostly. I can 100% see the need for public servants to not be able to be got rid of by different governments. You meet people from incredibly interesting backgrounds, and the opportunities can genuinely be many and varied, depending on where you are working. There tends to be really good training and many areas will fund further personal study.The workings of the State and Government are in equal parts frustrating and fascinating.So far in my experience work/life balance has been really good and that's important to me.


So I guess it really depends on what you want yourself from your life at the moment.It's not a bad move, but it will be different. Does the money mean more to you than that?

Hi...thanks so much for your perspective. No money is obviously a factor but the work life balance means much much more.

I at not at the kids and mortgage stage but my thinking is make the move, take the hit now and when I get to that stage money will be on the up again.

The pension is a factor too, I appreciate the post 2013 scheme is less favourable than what came before it but it’s secure and guaranteed.

I would also down the line be hoping to be able to move down the country so hoping the public service will be better for that too.

Thanks
Niamh

Nia55

nazzy wrote: »

Hi OP. I made the move four years ago and I haven't looked back. I absolutely love it. Similar to the poster above, I was at an age of marriage and kids.

So I weighed up the loss of earnings as I had an extra 6 days leave, a possible 19 flexi days per year, shorter commute and then the increments meant I would be back up to my old wage soon. I also moved to a job that has a decent amount of Travel and Subsistence. So it helped with the drop too.

And the emotional relief was priceless. The job role was something I loved so weigh up your enjoyment from the role too.

But down the line, the opportunity for promotion and then shorter working year and ease of parental leave and things like that could be another benefit.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Hi...thanks for your advice. The work life balance is a big sell for me. It’s great to hear so many people say they made the move and never looked back.

Addle

You'll have to jump a fair few grades to make up €900 a month shortfall in wages. That's huge.
When you say net, I presume you're including your pension contribution deductions?
The civil service is so varied.
You could end up in a very stressful unit.
Or you could end up somewhere where you'll flourish.

how have you calculated the nett wage difference?

make sure you're sure about the figures, the deductions come as a big surprise to a lot of new entrants.

Nia55

[Deleted User] wrote: »

how have you calculated the nett wage difference?

make sure you're sure about the figures, the deductions come as a big surprise to a lot of new entrants.

Hi

I have used taxcalc.ie and done the figues manually too works out about the same.

Nia55

[Deleted User] wrote: »

how have you calculated the nett wage difference?

make sure you're sure about the figures, the deductions come as a big surprise to a lot of new entrants.

Hi

I appreciate it will take a lot of increments to get back to where I was. Ultimately though, security and work life balance is the main goal.

Nia55

Nia55 wrote: »

Hi

I appreciate it will take a lot of increments to get back to where I was. Ultimately though, security and work life balance is the main goal.

the deductions specific to a public service worker?

sunshinew

Make sure your including all the pension deductions, about 4 come off my wage. PRD is a substantial hit and often not included on online tax calculators. I think about 14-16% of my wage goes to pension.
It really depends on what sector you are going into. I've been in it for 10 years, though in a very specialised underresourced area. Pressure to produce is huge. It depends on your work ethic. It can be incredibly frustrating if you take pride in your work to have members of your team that are sitting back, doing nothing and unfireable. You're expected to pick up the slack and end up working two jobs. Like any job I suppose, it will depend on the people around you.

brownbinman

It is worth it IMO. I took 15k drop at start and went in at AO. There's going to be a lot a opprtunities with HEO/AO levels if not higher over next few years

While it was big hit financially, I'm much happier with zero stress, flexi time and better work life balance. Not sure I'd go back

revoke12

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice,

In the same position myself, iv just been offered a position this morning by my local council.

Taking a 5 grand pay cut if i do take it? Wondering what is the story with the pension is that taken out monthly out of your salary?
Also any health insurance?

Im trying weight up the pros and cons with this position as its a very hard one to decline also.

Lux23

It depends where you live, but as someone who paid rent in Dublin on an EO salary for two years, I wouldn't recommend taking that hit unless you're prepared to give up a lot. I didn't have a holiday that whole time and extras like getting my hair done and meals out were only ever as a result of presents. Your pension is automatically taken out of your salary, and that was a significant amount each week.

revoke12

Lux23 wrote: »

It depends where you live, but as someone who paid rent in Dublin on an EO salary for two years, I wouldn't recommend taking that hit unless you're prepared to give up a lot. I didn't have a holiday that whole time and extras like getting my hair done and meals out were only ever as a result of presents. Your pension is automatically taken out of your salary, and that was a significant amount each week.

Yes im in munster not dublin, I thought that they paid it for you i didnt realise it was taken out of your own salary. From your own experience did they increments go up yearly and they didnt go up more than you expected etc? Also what was the working hours/days like ?

Irish_peppa

Morning all
May i ask a wee question...
I am years in private sector admin/office/customer support and want to change to public sector, I see on other threads the starting job is Clerical officer. Yet i notice on some adds on Public Jobs. It says "Clerical officer" yet when you click on it, it states "The posts are Local Authority Grade 3 positions"
Am I correct to assume despite experience everyone must start on Grade 1?
Is there any point even sending a CV for a clerical officer job of anything above Grade 1 if you have not been a public sector worker before?
Cheers
Peppa:)

Wheety

Irish_peppa wrote: »

Morning all
May i ask a wee question...
I am years in private sector admin/office/customer support and want to change to public sector, I see on other threads the starting job is Clerical officer. Yet i notice on some adds on Public Jobs. It says "Clerical officer" yet when you click on it, it states "The posts are Local Authority Grade 3 positions"
Am I correct to assume despite experience everyone must start on Grade 1?
Is there any point even sending a CV for a clerical officer job of anything above Grade 1 if you have not been a public sector worker before?
Cheers
Peppa:)

As far as I know grade 3 is Clerical Officer in the local authorities. If you meet the requirements, you meet the requirements. So apply for any position where you do meet the requirements.

Maybenever

revoke12 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice,

In the same position myself, iv just been offered a position this morning by my local council.

Taking a 5 grand pay cut if i do take it? Wondering what is the story with the pension is that taken out monthly out of your salary?
Also any health insurance?

Im trying weight up the pros and cons with this position as its a very hard one to decline also.

I came in at AP with a fairly hefty pay cut, more than you are suggesting; you pay for everything yourself (health insurance, payment protection etc.) whereas that was all covered when I was private. While there are pressures, it's not in the same ballpark imho, I guess the LA job will be different again. I have a much better work / life balance now and an interesting job (although my previous job was extremely interesting and in the same general area).

Pension comes out every two weeks, something like 9% overall I think but it will depend on grade and is changing again soon (adjusting downwards slightly).

But honestly, never mind all that, do you actually want the job? Is it somewhere you see yourself staying? To me that trumps any financial concerns (within reason, based on your outgoings, obviously).

swardy1

Maybenever wrote: »

I came in at AP with a fairly hefty pay cut, more than you are suggesting; you pay for everything yourself (health insurance, payment protection etc.) whereas that was all covered when I was private. While there are pressures, it's not in the same ballpark imho, I guess the LA job will be different again. I have a much better work / life balance now and an interesting job (although my previous job was extremely interesting and in the same general area).

Pension comes out every two weeks, something like 9% overall I think but it will depend on grade and is changing again soon (adjusting downwards slightly).

But honestly, never mind all that, do you actually want the job? Is it somewhere you see yourself staying? To me that trumps any financial concerns (within reason, based on your outgoings, obviously).

How did you find the transition from private to public? I've just been offered a grade 6 position with the LA - it's a significant drop in gross salary but in the long term I think the work/life balance will be worth it.

Maybenever

swardy1 wrote: »

How did you find the transition from private to public? I've just been offered a grade 6 position with the LA - it's a significant drop in gross salary but in the long term I think the work/life balance will be worth it.

Work / life balance has improved immeasurably. I actually can take my holidays now

Not everyone is target / outcome orientated, which can be frustrating at times depending on what's being done and slio-ism does occur (although this did occur in the private sector too).

I guess it's different but not so much that anyone with any cop-on couldn't handle. You just have to understand that it's different and work within that.