Favourable pensions and working culture in the public sector is attracting applicants. Jobseekers favour roles in the public sector by over three to one, according to research from leading UK jobs website totaljobs.com.[1]   In a survey of over 5,000 UK jobseekers, 55 percent said they would prefer to work for a public sector organisation, compared to an equivalent role in the private sector. Only 16 percent of jobseekers said they would favour the private sector.

Working culture, including favourable hours, holidays and flexi-time, was cited by 62 percent as the main reason to apply for public sector roles over equivalent positions in the private sector. Meanwhile, nearly half (48 percent) said a good pension deal is one of the primary reasons for applying for public sector jobs. A further 57 percent would recommend a job in the public sector to graduate while 34 percent said they are attracted to sector due to a feeling of public spiritedness. Moral in the sector is also good despite job cuts and lack of wage increases; nearly a third (31 percent) of those surveyed rated moral is either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, while fewer than 1 in 5 (21 percent) described it as ‘poor’.

In response to the findings, director of public sector at totaljobs.com, Mike Booker said: “The public sector remains an attractive option to jobseekers looking for roles with reasonable working hours, as well as a fair deal on fundamental benefits like annual leave. With real wages falling across many industries and the rise of ‘zero-hours’ contracts, jobseekers are turning to the public sector as it has traditionally offered more job security. However, with the age of austerity set to continue and continued high demand for the positions available, competition will be as fierce as ever. For public sector recruiters this means a good opportunity to hire some of the very best talent.”

[1] Totaljobs.com October 2013 Public Sector Jobseeker Survey – 5868 respondents