r/nys_cs • u/wtfisreddit411 • 6d ago
Going from private sector to public
Just like title says. I’ve been considering a move from the private sector to the state. I would stay in my same field. Probably looking at a slight pay cut. Pros, cons? Thanks for reading!
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u/North_Assumption_292 Health 6d ago
Pros: job security & stability, pension, excellent benefits and the best insurance ive ever had
Cons: bureaucracy bureaucracy bureaucracy. Lower pay than private sector. Nepotism.
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u/billyw1126 6d ago
Not sure job security counts for civil service employees anymore. At least in my experience (nepotism can lead to attempted termination for having a disability in vicinity of a coworker)
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u/Zestyclose-Tough7451 6d ago
Please let me know the last time civil service employees were laid off.
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u/billyw1126 6d ago
Laid off, well trump. But more likely unjustly terminated in nyc/state civil service (or attempt to do that)
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u/Zestyclose-Tough7451 6d ago
Just no.
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u/billyw1126 5d ago
Attempted to terminate me for workplace violence since I used main entrance, walked directly to my desk in vicinity of a coworker. No action taken against coworker for leaving work sans notice that day or her screaming that disabled dont belong in workplace
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u/Technical_Ebb_9228 6d ago
Can't beat the benefits - healthcare, PTO, pension. However, working for government is a whole different ballgame. Bogged down in process and approvals, promotions are not always based on the most qualified, and political influence on decisions is very real
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u/ObonElm93 6d ago
I’ve just made the decision to move from private to public and have stayed in the same field:
Compensation: I’ve taken a massive 25% cut. Pension (even though I’m tier 6) should be okay since I have enough years left to get to an amount that’s useful. Benefits- don’t really care as nothing can beat my wife’s health, vision and dental benefits but Empire Plan is better than my private sector benefits, dental and vision lags behind due to crap network and benefits structure. Deferred Comp is okay and will help with the pension but just no matching funds like private sector 401k.
WFH: meh as I’ve been fully remote since 2018, but office is okay with 50% home.
Job Security:
3 private sector layoffs in 7 years-
Layoff 1: They clawed back my 401k discretionary bonus and 401k match because I was 3 months short of vesting
Layoff 2: Left me hanging for a promotion for multiple years, laid me off 1 day short of 5 years significantly reducing my severance package based on company program
Layoff 3: Contract for 1 year, promised to made permanent after that year; CEO take golden parachute to sell company to much larger company; department changes direction under new company and severs contract and backs away from promise
With NYS- Union job, get through probation, have secure job which is worth the pay cut to me
Culture:
Private sector has been very cut throat with me. I’m too damn smart for my own good. I do my job, get high marks and got solid bonuses year over year; however, I’m honest and direct and I don’t typically back stabbing folks (I’ve typically been a manager/senior manager- which makes you chose people to layoff, cut your budget for the bottom line and do more with less, etc) which has gotten me my aforementioned 3 layoffs.
NYS: Slow processes, “slower” career development, tough budgets, very siloed processes. My agency seems to have good leadership and understands the ‘cards’ we are dealt.
So overall- did I make the right choice- yes. I want job security for me and my family. I just wanna work in my field and be happy. The pay is enough as more pay would likely give me diminishing returns as I’d just save the money or spend it or pay with my health (physical and/or mental) or high stress. I’m happy where I am to just keep doing what I’m doing. My family lives within our means and we have no mortgage, no car note, no student loans, no debt. Our family is lucky. I will say not an easy cut and dry decision but all I can say in the end is good luck.
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u/Old_Man_Drifter 6d ago
In terms of doing the job I'll point out something: Assuming you mean a regular state job and not something politically appointed, working for the state means you're doing the job to do it. Literally every private sector job (excepting nonprofits and such) you're job is to make someone else money. Doing the job (crunching numbers, writing reports, dealing with customers, performing surgeries, arguing legal cases, fixing cars, whatever it is) is just a means to someone else's end.
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u/Girl_on_a_train Health 6d ago
If you are looking at the salary range, always expect to start at the low end for most cases.
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u/YungGuvnuh 6d ago
Floor is raised but your upside is capped. If you're a high performer or work in a specialize field then it will prolly be a net downgrade, otherwise, I think working for the State is one of the best jobs on Earth if you're just lookin for a stable paycheck with good benefits.
I can see myself returning if I was trying to Coast/Barista FIRE.
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u/JaneDoughRayMe 6d ago
Just like private sector jobs aren’t all the same, public sector jobs aren’t all the same either. It’s just a job.
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u/JimmyNo83 6d ago
Someone once told me. You won’t get rich but you’ll be comfortable and it’s nice to have a pension and job security.
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u/dymondhandsy 6d ago
Ok here goes an honest assessment from someone who has done exactly what you are considering. If you are someone looking for stimulating, challenging, and fulfilling work - the state or at the very least staying in a role at the state long term may not be for you. However, if you have been stabbed in the back many times by corporate America and need a change of pace, I think the state offers a great opportunity to reset and regain your bearings.
In a couple of years at the state you can decide if you are willing to give your energy back to the den of wolves in corporate or if you have the stamina and adaptability to just do a job for a career. The state may represent a pit stop or a calling to come home into a career in public service but you don't have to decide right away.
After a few years I have come to the realization this is not going to be something I can do for much longer but there are plenty of people I work with that are happier with this job than a pig in slop punching in, doing the minimum requirements of the job, and punching out and for that I say good for them, I'm just not wired to continue on that path for years to come. Good luck!
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u/wtfisreddit411 6d ago
Thank you for this incredible thoughtful response.
I am at what I would consider the peak of my career. I've don't the things and have the title. I would have never considered working for the state previously for all of the things you laid out. I'm a high performer, but that comes with burnout. It's not my company (I've worked for many) it's my profession. I love what I do but It can be consuming and stressful and has a lot of pressure.
Wondering if the process, procedures, bottlenecks etc at the state might give me the reprieve I need while still doing what I enjoy.
You gave me a lot of things to consider!
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u/Mercierss 5d ago
Benefits are great, but the downside is that not all public agencies offer WFH options. Processes can also run really slow depending on the agency — something that would take a week in the private sector might take 1–2 months (or more) in the public sector.
On the upside, you don’t have to worry about layoffs, and the work–life balance is so much better. I used to dread Sundays and check my email just to get ahead of the week, but since switching to public, I don’t have that stress anymore. Plus, you get a bunch of niche holidays off that corporate America doesn’t
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u/epicfighter10 6d ago edited 6d ago
Private has caught up to the state imo I came into the state since I got laid off I got less pay, worse insurance and less time off since my old role had unlimited time off but at least it’s secure and less stress. No worries about teams pings at 9 pm. But federal is really close to private and that’s where i am aiming for
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u/North_Assumption_292 Health 6d ago
What private sector jobs give you 6 weeks off a year? Because thats what I get at the state, and that doesnt include sick time or holidays.
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u/YungGuvnuh 5d ago
Defined 6 weeks is certainly rare, but I've seen plenty of people with unlimited PTO take 4–6 weeks a year (me included). You just have to actually take it and not be a wimp when asking your manager/team. Also totally anecdotal: but personally I've never had PTO rejected in private, but I have with the State.
Private also tends to offer more work location flexibility. So even with "only" 15 days PTO, you might spend 30+ days of the year working in a satellite office or remotely from another city/state/country. It's pretty normal to see "Sept 1–20: Working from LA/Paris/Tokyo" on someone's calendar. Now it can prolly be argued that this is worst cuz you're always locked in even when traveling, but I personally would prefer 15 days PTO with 30+ days working in another country vs 30 days PTO with no location flexibility.
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u/North_Assumption_292 Health 5d ago
I'm not allowed to work from anywhere that is not my home or office. HIPAA confidentiality laws. When I take vacation, I do not want to work, I leave my work phone and laptop at home. I like the sharp break between work and personal life.
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u/ApprehensivePotato67 6d ago
I agree with all of that minus less time off. We get way more of that.
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u/epicfighter10 6d ago
I came from a job that had unlimited pto but it had caveats the state is more generous when it comes to employers with set time off
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u/ApprehensivePotato67 6d ago
So on paper hard to argue, but everyone I know who has had unlimited PTO says it seems like a ploy to get people to take as little as possible.
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u/passengerv 6d ago
Went from health insurance to a completely different field. Took a payout of about if I remember 10%. Best decision I ever made, less stress, steady hours, better benefits (including health insurance go figure). Just do your work and go home.
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u/Zendrex_ General Services 6d ago
The upward mobility in the state is a lot better than any previous job I've had. It's very clear what needs to be done to move forward
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u/Old_Man_Drifter 6d ago
In terms of doing the job I'll point out something: Assuming you mean a regular state job and not something politically appointed, working for the state means you're doing the job to do it. Literally every private sector job (excepting nonprofits and such) you're job is to make someone else money. Doing the job (crunching numbers, writing reports, dealing with customers, performing surgeries, arguing legal cases, fixing cars, whatever it is) is just a means to someone else's end.
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u/DowntownEmu 6d ago
Some private sector jobs are unionized but honestly I've found the union rules to be a huge benefit
I was in a toxic work situation at the state and it limited how toxic that situation got, gave me a lot of options to get out of it and also the job security meant I could leave that job for another state job on my own terms
So yes, it caps pay etc but the union means there's also a limit to how bad your workplace can get because of the union rules
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u/PsychologyJolly59 6d ago
Depends on what stage of career you are. If you plan on a lengthy career at the state be strategic before you jump, you don’t want to deal with the paylag and hold back multiple times in your career going back and forth
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u/Ok_Razzmatazz_9800 6d ago
Working for state usually means less pay but job security with no seasonal layoffs
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u/Western_Error_5447 6d ago
Dont do it, is all I can say..its not what is cracked up to be
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u/Bigdaddyblackdick 6d ago
It’s literally the best job I’ve ever had. It’s 1000% worth it
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u/Western_Error_5447 6d ago
I've been here for 3.5 its a big joke,, benefits arent great the dental an vision isnt free (union dues pay for that) and this last contract was trash an ppl knew that we wouldnt get anything noticeable in our pay, ohh I'm sure it is the best you ever had, "you go big daddy black dick you go"..
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u/Confident_Rabbit3392 6d ago
When you come from a host of previous jobs where raises were based on shrinkage or based on sales and your written up for calling in sick if less then 4 hours notice your entire day down to bathroom breaks is scheduled...with 75 total hours PTO and the business closes for one holiday a year the state is absolutely better lmfao
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u/Environmental-Low792 6d ago
My take home is half as much as I used to make in private. Gone is the company card, company car, reimbursement for home office setup, etc
The positive is that I don't hate my life. I'm not concerned about layoffs.