Last updated on October 21st, 2023 at 03:53 pm
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. It depends on a number of factors, including your career goals, your financial situation, and your lifestyle preferences.
The pros and cons of both Private and Government jobs depend on you and your choices. The most apparent argument is that private jobs pay more and government jobs are more reliable.
Let’s analyze this comparison in more depth.
1. The competition is higher for government jobs.
Although many people might wish to have a government job, they might not be able to attain it due to limited vacancies and tough competition. Adequate time investment on exam preparation is a requirement for selection exams, as well as fulfilling other criteria. There are more chances of people getting recruited in private companies as they relatively have more jobs.
2. Job security:-
One of the major factors that work as the decision maker is this. Due to market situation and company’s growth, the private sector might choose to downsize the team. During recent years and recession, a lot of employees have been fired by private companies to cut down their costs. After five years, you cannot ensure that your job will still be there. Relatively, government jobs are more stable. People are only fired if there is a major performance issue or if they are involved in some activities that are completely unacceptable. A government job thus makes people feel more secure and able to plan their future better.
3. Better retirement policy:-
A government job secures an employee’s future after retirement more than a private sector job. An employee of a private company needs to plan and take care of his or her future after retirement. The new pension scheme ensures that an employee’s lifestyle and standard is maintained after retirement. Even after retirement, various government sector jobs in banking and railways continue to provide benefits like travel, stay, or medical benefits to employees.
4. Pliability and more leaves:-
As compared to private jobs, government jobs offer better leave policy. There are more leaves and types of leaves in the government sector. Approval of leaves is more flexible and employee-friendly in the public sector than in the private sector. In most private companies, you will be assigned 20 leaves or fewer in a year. Leaves are only approved if there is enough work coverage and backup available.
5. Better work life balance:-
Most private jobs offer flexible working hours and shifts, while government jobs have fixed working hours and switches are difficult. Government is trying to break the rigidity; however, it is proving difficult. A few years back, the RBI initiated flexible working hours for their bank officers to ensure a better work-life balance.
Government jobs have shorter working hours as compared to private sector jobs. Private offices mostly have 9 working hour rule while most of the government offices have 7 hours of working. In contrast to government offices, the number of login hours is very strict. A government employee can thus have enough hours at home and time to spend with loved ones.
6. Work from home:-
Many private companies offer their employees the option of this. If you cannot physically be present at the office for a given situation, you can request to work from home. This can be helpful when you are traveling or are not well enough to go to the office but can still work from your comfort. Although this option is unavailable for government jobs, people are not much affected as they can afford to take leaves during travelling or sickness as they have more number of leaves.
7. Work stress:-
The stress level for work is lesser in government sector as compared to private jobs. The public-sector typically works towards long-term goals and the work pressure varies depending on the time of year, like the end of the economic year or festivals. Private sector companies tend to focus on short-term goals and work on deadlines. At times, meeting these deadlines can add to an employee’s stress level.
Some of the striking differences between government and private jobs are: It is now your turn to make the choice. You will experience ups and downs in your career no matter what sector you are in, whether it is private or government. It is important that you make an informed decision, whatever is the choice.
8. Salary and promotions:-
Government jobs offer various incentives along with salary, such as residence, transportation cost, and medical facilities. There are various allowances offered to employees . The difference in salary might not seem that huge if you include all the other benefits that come with a government job. Government is also trying to make salaries in the public sector equal to those in the private sector with the introduction of the 7th pay commission.
In the private sector, you are gradually promoted according to your performance. Promotions in the public sector are based on various criteria like years of experience and internal examinations. Government employees get significant raises when they are promoted, unlike in the private sector where there is often a gap in pay.
