Are Public Sector Workers Cushioned From The Economic Crisis Caused By Covid?

[dave50]

It seems these people are the ones that call for more restrictions as they still get their pay cheque no matter what. Those in the private sector have to bare the brunt, worried about their jobs as soon as there is talk of more restrictions.

[pixie374]

We are in the private sector, and have worked throughout, so no- it doesn't seem to be that.

[Canary42]

It depends what you mean by bearing the brunt, I would think risking your life to keep a service going is a bigger brunt than a little economic hardship.

Of course the wealth before health brigade will disagree.

[pixie374]

Wealth and health are related, canary. It isn't that simple.

[ToraToraTora]

good point dave, i don't think any have been laid off.

[naomi24]

Yes, I think in the main they are, dave. It seems predominately pensioners and those whose incomes are secure that continue to champion restrictions. A case of 'Pull the ladder up, Jack. I'm alright'.

[Peter Pedant]

// A case of 'Pull the ladder up, Jack. I'm alright'.//
another case of - recall bias - it hasnt happened to me so it will never happen.

I think your point was triggered by the R4 broadcast this am - where the hack was 'hammering away' at Rishi and it seemed obvious that the hack had a job forever and Rishi only at the whim of the PM

Let em all die!
seems a variation of the usual
higher taxes for everyone except me!

but more permanent

[Maydup]

I’ll give three cheers to the public sector workers for a change! For responding at the drop of a hat to create all the new systems that have been announced through the pandemic, for keeping our services running, and for a business as usual attitude. Who says they are calling for more restrictions?

[satprof]

Maydup - I'd second your cheers, but only for those, such as in the NHS, who have laboured long & hard. I'm afraid that there are far too many in the Public Sector who have treated this whole situation like an extra-long bank holiday. As for organizing new & updated systems, I'm sure that there are some who've carried the heat & burden, but the standard Civil Service response to this kind of thing is almost inevitably: Outsource it. They're far too busy running the country to add anything to their existing workload (& it really helps with passing the buck when things go belly-up!)

[Sunk]

// Public sector workers are calling for more restrictions //
I have seen absolutely no evidence of that. The people calling for more restrictions are predominantly doing so for health concerns, people catching buses and trains to their private sector jobs, people working in high occupancy office blocks.

Public sector workers have had to work throughout the crisis while everyone around them were furloughed and enjoying the sunshine. They have kept local services going. When the schools were shut, it was public sector workers who bent over backwards to ensure they could open again (it was parents who wanted them to remain shut).

For 10 years local authorities had their budgets cut under austerity, and wages were stagnant and jobs were cut.

[Atheist]

Sorry, Naomi, but it's "predominantly", not "predominately". Just thought I'd mention it in a spirit of helpfulness.

[Zacs-Master]

Sometimes, just sometimes, someone posts such a stultifyingly daft post that I don't know where to start telling the author why I think that.
Fortunately, Sunk has saved me the bother.

[jazzyjen]

I work(ed) in the public sector. I lost my job in April.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Sour grapes, many of them do jobs the average person wouldnt touch. You cant just close up a prison and walk away for example. You choose your job so if its a bad choice who`s fault is it.

[bednobs]

there are lots of different "public sectors" who will have probably have been affected differently
MPs have probably been affected differently to cemetery staff, teachers have probably been affected differently to swimming pool attendants, and civil servants have probably been affected differently to doctors

[Milo2]

I think it depends on what the job is in the private sector. I know a few people who have worked throughout the restrictions and have been busier than usual.

[TrevorThePug]

Sunk has it on the button.

Has it moved now from blame old people, blame immigrants, to blame students to blame public sector workers? How very right wing.

Public sector workers (in the main, sorry jazzyjen) have retained their jobs because without them most functions in our society would grind to a halt. I don't know any who have called for more restrictions as it doesn't change a jot for them.

[gulliver1]

Do you work in The Public Sector, Sunk ?

[Sunk]

No gulliver1. Never have.

[New Judge]

//For responding at the drop of a hat to create all the new systems that have been announced through the pandemic, for keeping our services running, and for a business as usual attitude.//

Eh?

You are joking, of course. Have you tried to contact a government or local government department lately? The passport office almost ground to a halt for about four months. People had to cancel travel arrangements because they could not get a passport. The situation is scarcely better now. The DVLA was, and to a large extent still is, closed for business for anything other than straightforward online applications (which are, by and large, untouched by human hand). I have a relative who has been waiting for a driving licence renewal to be processed for more than four months (he has a medical condition which the DVLA needs to review). Planning applications in my local area have been hugely delayed.

My LA has near enough closed its Town Hall (or “Civic Centre” as they prefer to call it). The car park is usually full, now I would estimate no more than 20% of the spaces are taken. When you ring the “Civic Centre” you are now answered at a call centre some 200 miles away. BC (Before Covid) you were answered at the Town Hall and put through to the department you wanted. Now your query is passed to the “back office” and getting to speak to the required person can take many days (I know. I’ve had cause to contact them over the last few weeks on a planning matter).

I must say that this is not confined to the public sector. Much of the private sector is just as bad. The reply to every phone call begins “Because of the Coronavirus pandemic..” (there then follows the description of one or more various inconveniences the caller will suffer).

Much of the public sector has continued to supply services (as it should). But a hell of a lot of it hasn’t.

[tonyav]

Are Public Sector Workers Cushioned From The Economic Crisis Caused By Covid?

Yes ( apart from the NHS ).