Having worked in senior roles in both in the Private and Public sectors, I can assure you the pay ceilings that exist in the Public sector are equally prevalent in the private sector for many employees.
The one really big difference with the Public Sector, in particular the Civil Service and NHS is that once you become established that is permanent employee status (usually takes upto 2 years it varies) rarely are people fired from the service, its basically a good pensionable job for life unless you really do something really bloody awful.
Graham, its interesting you mention EDS who were very active in outsourcing of Public Sector services particularly around IT systems development and delivery. In any outsourcing there is what is known as a Staff Agreement which sets the framework for the transferred staff usually Civil Servants to ensure their employment terms etc are protected, however many of the outsourced government services contracts have an cost reduction/ efficiency requirement. Which if in place can in some cases .actually remove certain rights to eg appeal to Industrial Tribunal in cases of redundancy bought about by cost efficiency. EDS in my experience was typically American in their approach to staff rights and working conditions etc.
When it comes the the worth of further education, for example, my niece who has a PHD and as a result didn't enter the work force until she was 28 has found she could earn more as a dog groomer than in roles suited to her qualifications. She now has a very successful dog grooming business and lots of student debt for which she will see no improvement./opportunities in her chosen field.
Last edited by JohnHarris; 14/04/23 08:13 AM.