Things that make you go What the F**k?

[Munchie]

Average number of sick days among Northern Ireland civil servants - 13.4.
No surprise, but it does lay bare that the civil service is a refuge for bluffers and dossers who'd be long gone if they were working in the private sector. All at the expense of the tax payer.

I mind a mate who worked in the civil service asking me many many years ago to go somewhere, I said had no leave left, he said sure use your sick leave that's what it's for, says it all.

[oakleaflad]

Having worked in multiple roles in both the private and public sectors, I have to say I didn't notice any difference in the work ethic of people.

[Milltown Row2]

Having worked in multiple roles in both the private and public sectors, I have to say I didn't notice any difference in the work ethic of people.

But the options are better in the civil/public sector roles. I'm married 27 years this summer coming, I've not had a day off on sick leave, luckily I've not been sick in that period, or unwell enough to not turn up for work but I know plenty that work the public sector and taking time off before working from home was a thing was high enough and a standard thing to do..

I think the working from home has probably brought down the sickness rates across the board

That said I've seen plenty of lazy feckers in the private sector who will get caught out and they move on to another job doing the same thing

[Sportacus]

I think if u reread what it say, it's says people on long term sick are responsible for the distorted figure.

But presumably genuine long term sick is equally possible in the private sector.

[Deerstalker]

I think if u reread what it say, it's says people on long term sick are responsible for the distorted figure.

But presumably genuine long term sick is equally possible in the private sector.

With the same pay conditions while sick ? Highly unlikely in the majority of places

[Armagh18]

I think if u reread what it say, it's says people on long term sick are responsible for the distorted figure.

But presumably genuine long term sick is equally possible in the private sector.

With the same pay conditions while sick ? Highly unlikely in the majority of places

Public you get full pay for 6 months then half for 6 I think? Or could be full for 12 months.

Private you get SSP in most cases which is sweet feck all.

[trueblue1234]

I moved in 2022 after 20 odd years in the private sector to a public sector job. Had to take a not insignificant pay cut to do so. But there was issues around job security at the time and the opportunity came up for a role that I was genuinely interested in so balanced the flexi time, pension, sick benefits etc against the drop in pay.
I still look enviously at the private sector pay at times but given my time in life with young kids I wouldn't change it. I've gone from doing 45-50 a week (salaried no over time) to 37.5. I rarely have to worry about anything outside work hrs and there (touch's wood) doesn't seem to be any worries over job security.
That said I've not had a day off sick in the 3.5 years in the job. So that benefit hasn't been needed, but as you get older it starts to become something you think about more. And it's nice to have. That said, I had health insurance in the previous job which I don't have in CS so had to sort that.
I haven't noticed an increase in the number of bluffers in my role but what I have noticed is that the bluffers that are there, are much much worse. When in Private sector people might have taken a sickie for a day or two. In PS they take weeks when they go off. And it's near impossible to move them on or get rid of them. HR are scared to do anything. Thats the major issue in the CS. Not enough performance related reviews assessments. They need to start addressing poor performance better (and rewarding high achievers). You'd find if you start doing that, the sick days and bluffing would soon reduce.

[Munchie]

The Unions rule the public sector, the whole of Armagh bin lorries went on strike because of some knob who was also delivering oil, months without bin collections whilst paying rates for this lot to sit at the Palace drinking tea.

[statto]

I think if u reread what it say, it's says people on long term sick are responsible for the distorted figure.

The 6 months full pay 6 months half pay would would probably help that. 

[Franko]

Genuinely, it is one of the easiest cards for a government to play if they wanted to reduce CS waste.

2 weeks full pay, 2 weeks 1/2, SSP afterwards

[LC]

I think if u reread what it say, it's says people on long term sick are responsible for the distorted figure.

But presumably genuine long term sick is equally possible in the private sector.

With the same pay conditions while sick ? Highly unlikely in the majority of places

Public you get full pay for 6 months then half for 6 I think? Or could be full for 12 months.

Private you get SSP in most cases which is sweet feck all.

I joined the public sector 5 years ago after being in the private for 20+ when I read about the 6 months full and then 6 months half I thought it was a misprint.  In the time I have been there I think I might have been off 3 days.

I have found if you say boo to anyone they immediatley play the stress card and off they go on full pay for a few months.

A lot of people where I work complain about how sh+t their job / place of work is but they will never leave it.  A lot of them would not last 5 mins in the private sector.

[Wildweasel74]

Been in Education 20+yrs longest ever off was 2 months, after severe Covid issues,with a few spells in A&E. Maybe it needs to define what part of the civil service related to long term sick.

[Munchie]

Why leave the gravy train that keeps on giving.

[brokencrossbar1]

I know of a certain public funded organisation where people are hanging on for dear life,  in jobs that they hate, purely to get the pension and possibly voluntary redundancy. The amount of sick leave in the place is shocking. There isn't a days work in the majority of them and this culture is not challenged

[JoG2]

I've now been in the public sector the guts of a dozen years after only private sector work beforehand.
All depends on the team / department in my experience. I've worked with the guts of 50 people (very low turnover of staff).. In my time there's been 1 guy who has been off for a stint, 13 months after a car crash. Zero others. Some will take the micky of course.
 
As long as we're not looking over there but... #bogeyman