Blurring the boundaries.
Many people still believe that working in the public sector is poorly paid, undemanding and boring. If you want to stretch yourself, so the stereotype goes, you have to work in the private sector.
But wide-ranging research from Badenoch & Clark has revealed that changes in the way in which the public sector is managed are, in fact, creating challenging and rewarding work environments for employees.
Our report
Why people are attracted to working in the public sector*.
- 78% benefits
- 45% challenging and rewarding work
- 42% giving something back
- 41% training
- 38% structured career path
- 22% competitive salaries
- 18% engaging culture.
* Managers were asked to provide the top three reasons.
The report found that there is an increasing blurring of the boundaries between public and private sectors, with many private sector practices being embraced by the public sector while the range of benefits on offer is acting as a strong attraction.
However, many of the 726 recruitment managers surveyed felt that there was work to be done in addressing the sector’s image as an employer, not in terms of salaries, as you might think, but in terms of the challenging and rewarding work on offer.
Half of the respondents reported that it was difficult to attract talent to the public sector because of this perception. Local authorities struggle the most, the Blurring the Boundaries report revealed.
But, as one respondent argued: “Running a local authority or NHS Foundation is no less challenging or rewarding that the private sector. It’s simply different.”
Communication is vital
Nicola Linkleter, Executive Director of public sector recruitment at Badenoch & Clark, believes communication is vital to change people’s perceptions.
“The public sector has much to offer new recruits,” she said. “Our research indicates that education, engagement and marketing are the tools which will enable them to see clearly the opportunities on offer.”
Running a local authority or NHS Foundation is no less challenging or rewarding that the private sector. It’s simply different.
Positive publicity is also an important tool in retaining staff at a time when public sector organisations are facing pressure to work more efficiently, according to one respondent, who led a successful change programme.
“Publicity is really important, people do become de-motivated when they know they are doing well but never read about themselves,” he said. “If you – and they – are successfully delivering a fresh way of working, then shout about it.”
Seminars
We recently hosted seminars in London, Huddersfield, Edinburgh and Birmingham discussing the report’s findings with over 150 high profile clients including Transport for London, The Identity & Passport Service, Westminster City Council, The Scottish Government, Edinburgh of City Council and The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. Read about what was discussed here.
Downloads and links
- Blurring the Boandaries.pdf (290KB)
- Seminar downloads
- The Times - Not dinosaurs but dynamic
- Inside Housing - Council staff feel left at arm’s-length
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