What are the pros and cons of working in a government organization vs working in the private sector?

The private sector has long been considered to have some of the most volatile jobs in the United States, namely because many states are considered 'right to work'. In terms of the private sector itself, this means you can be let go at any position without a particular reason being given. If you live in a state that is not 'right to work', you will be better able to fight back, but if not, you may find yourself unemployed for no good reason. This is not, however, considered a pro or a con, but can be relevant information if you wish to work in this sector. There are several pros to working in each. Working in the private sector allows you more room to move around from one position to another. Though every organization has its own set of rules, they tend to be a little more flexible in this sector than in public service. Pay raises are also easier to obtain, as the decisions can be made from within the company, instead of being based on central rules and regulations followed throughout the entire state or government. Another pro for working in the private sector is the ability to move up quickly in an organization. While this is not impossible to do in the public sector, it can often prove more difficult, as there are tight restrictions placed on the entire process. There are pros to working in the public sector as well. One is the stability these jobs often bring. While there can always be special circumstances, it is often harder to be fired from a public job than one in the private sector. This is primarily because in 'right to work' states, private employees can be let go with little to know explanation or justification. This is often not the case for public service workers. Another pro is the benefit packages offered in the public sector. These include great insurance and retirement benefits that often make working for the state or federal government worth while, especially for those with families. A third pro of working for the federal government is the ability to move from one federal position to another and still retain the same benefits, vacation, and sick days as you did in the last job. Over time, it all adds up and provides employees the opportunity to plan for holidays, while allowing them to feel more secure in the work force. There are also cons to working in both the private in public sectors. One con of working in the private sector is the lack of benefits. While some companies certainly offer great insurance and retirement packages, they are often not comparable to those offered in the public sector. There are, in some cases, also fewer professional positions for individuals without a degree. Also, the salaries are more competitive, making it more difficult for those with a degree to enter into certain entry-level positions. This is because they are considered to be over qualified by some companies, and more likely to look for a different job sooner rather than later. Cons to working in the public sector are mostly associated with the lower salaries. On average, the salaries offered in the public sector are not as high as those offered in the private sector. Also, there are many entry-level positions available, but it can be more difficult to work your way up the corporate ladder

Having worked in both, I will explain the similarities and differences below: 1) Challenges and Work Pressure: Unless you want to restrict yourself to a desk job, both the sectors provide ample opportunities for learning and growth. It is a myth that you can chill as you like in government sector. If everyone is chilling out then who is going to run the organizations and government machinery. It all depends on you. You take initiative then sky is the limit. At a general average level, work pressure is less in public sector. 2) Money: Barring Navaratnas and few other PSUs, State Bank of India (SBI has different pay structure for campus recruitees), remaining PSUs pay structure is not competitive and commensurate. And the fact is those who join after 2004 are not eligible for pension in may of the PSUs. All these factors tilt in favour of private sector. 3) Promotion: This is where PSUs and government organizations are streamlining processes where based upon experience and requirement promotions can be accelerated. This is a work in progress and I expect will improve over a period. My choice is 50:50 in favour of public and private sectors. 4) Culture: Everything bowls down to your immediate boss. You may end up with a horrible boss at the best place to work company or best boss at a not so best place. Here you cannot have control. Having said that, I can tell from my experience that culture in private sector is more open and merit driven (barring few politics ridden organizations) compared to Public sector. 5) Job Security: This is where public sector scores well above the private sector . Due to employee unions and other factors, it is not easy to adopt a hire and fire policy in public sector unlike the private ones. So based upon what factors you are looking at, you can either opt for public or private sector corporations.

PRIVATE SECTOR: PROS: If you like your job, you would love the challenges you face. Ample opportunity to grow, gain knowledge and earn well. Use of first name ensures employees are treated equally, many companies today have a flat hierarchy. Growth in an organization is hugely dependent on merit. No Reservations!! CON: You can't love your company, it might push you out when there's a recession. Mostly located at places which have a high cost of living. GOVERNMENT SECTOR: CON: The challenges are limited, and way of working has been the same since forever. Growth opportunities are limited, as they have a seniority of merit criteria for promotions. The 'babu' culture creates a class difference between colleagues. Reservation on basis of caste(atleast in India) is a huge deterent for many people. PROS: A secure well paying job that would mostly be in an off-metropolitan with a lower cost of living. Loads of Government benefits depending on the depending on the department you work for (like thermal power plant employees have free power and housing). MY DISCLAIMERS: I love my job I have never worked for the government sector. Hope this helps, thank you for asking! :)

Thanks for asking me to answer. I have, in the beginning 8 years of my professional life, worked in the private sector, which included 2 one-man shows, 1 Indian corp. and 3 MNCs. Politics pissed me off. After that, I have been freelancing and for nearly 10 years did contracts for organizations in the government sector. Politics pissed me off, again! That was 10 years ago. Still freelancing, but for overseas clients only. Government sector employees can afford to be laid back and have a safety net. It is a smooth ride, devoid of excitement, unless you really screw up. Full chance of spoiling health by sedentary lifestyle. All the money secured tight, goes into medical bills. Private sector employees are constantly on the edge, but it is thrilling and one hell of a ride, unless some one on the team screws up. Then everyone gets screwed. Full chance of ruining health by stressful life. All the perks stashed away, go into medical bills. Concluding, Private job = hassled and constipated; Government job = sedentary and constipated; Me? I freelance, work when I want and shit when I want!

In the USA, government jobs typically are more secure, and have less overall work, but lower overall pay.The private jobs are much less secure, pay more, but require an intense effort.My father and brother both held "day-jobs" with the local/state government and then ran their own small businesses at night and on the weekends.   Best of both worlds.

Govt> private >freelancing>no job. I agree with most of the points listed by other Quorans here but would like to dispel some notions. You know why govt jobs are more respected by Indians? because govt jobs are hard to get.You can get an MNC job but you'll have to wait for several years for a govt job.If clearing MBA for an MNC job requires grit,there's a stiff competition for the govt jobs as well. It may seem like lazy people deliberately choose govt jobs over private sector jobs,but desiring job security is no crime.If you are fired from the private firm tomorrow because a more accomplished person comes along,what peace of mind do you work with? In private sector Competition brings out the best in people,but can also be very stressful with age.There's survival of the fittest at work here which can never breed a genial working environment as professionals want to outdo each other in the corporate hierarchy.Corporates are slave drivers.There are only a handful of companies that treat their employees as humans.I can count on my fingers--Only four companies.Money is good,merit is valued and promotions are based on merit and not on seniority.Private jobs are for young,dynamic individuals. Govt jobs are not bad in themselves,it's people who make them so.I work in a bank and have a laidback life,that doesn't mean I shirk work,or do not work hard enough.I arrive on time and leave on time too.I live a simple life,not an extreme one that I would in an MNC. Today,people who land a govt job shirk work or turn lazy not because govt job offers security,but because they lack conscience to do their work properly.Just because I'm in a govt job doesn't mean I lack a strong work ethic.

In Government job, you will get benefited like if something happens to you then your family member will get a job, you will get leaves, little work to do. But in private job you will get a better chance of growth, better opportunities, better hikes and perks, but you have to do a lot more hard work

It totally depends on person's choice. If a person likes more challenges than he is made for private job. If he want to mentain check and balance between work and family govt job is the right option. Innovation can not be applied to any of the above jobs. It can only be applied when you have full freedom which is only possible for an entreprenure.