Public sector work is healthier

The public sector is a healthier place to work than the private sector, with greater job stability and better work-life balance, say undergraduate students in a recent survey.

Research by GTI Specialist Publishers, who publish a directory of graduate careers in the public services, reveals that while two-thirds of the 2,000 students wanted to work in the private sector, 70% of those surveyed agreed that there was "greater job stability in the public sector".

Nearly as many agreed that "private sector employees work longer hours," and just over 60% thought the public sector had a better work-life balance. The survey also found "a strong perception that the public sector is a 'healthier' place to work."

The private sector is perceived as less bureaucratic and better paid. However, the report says: "Most graduate recruitment literature is still geared towards the private sector, so it's more difficult to find out about public sector careers."

Of the 33% of students who said they were attracted to working in the public sector, around two-thirds said they wanted to do something worthwhile that helped society. The study comments: "It is plain that those graduates who do want to work in the public sector have altruistic reasons at the forefront of their minds."

Overall the most popular public sector career destination is the civil service, ranked first choice by 37%, followed by local government (19%).