As public sector redundancies really start to bite, more women public sector workers could be tempted to go it alone and either set up their own business or become an umbrella company contractor.
Over the last ten years, the number of women working in the public sector has risen at a faster rate than it has for men, according to the TUC. As public sector job cuts increase, so female unemployment will rise, the organisation explained, and this at a time when female unemployment is at its highest level in 23 years.
Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the TUC, pointed out that we are already starting to see the affects of public sector cuts and areas with a high concentration of public sector employment are already feeling the pain. George Osborne’s plans to create jobs are woefully inadequate and complacency over economic growth is coming back to haunt us, he added.
Despite continuing uncertainty in the sector, many public sector workers would rather stay put than transfer to the private sector, according to Badenoch & Clark recruitment consultants.
Its survey found that two thirds of workers in the public sector are sitting tight in their present role. 15% want to stay because of better benefits but around 50% said their length of service made them reluctant to leave.
The MD of Badenoch & Clark, Nicola Linkleter, said public sector employers need to support and nurture this sentiment. They should be identifying and rewarding top talent to make sure they keep hold of key employees and are in a position to attract external talent in the future.
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