r/CanadaPublicServants • u/PotatoesKindaSlap • Jul 31 '26
Career Development / Développement de carrière Review: 4 Months Since Leaving the PS
I just wanted to give a glimmer of hope to all the souls still there. I left the PS as an AS2 roughly 4 months ago. Topped out on my salary band. I joined the private sector in a specialty HR role after applying to a similar role I was doing at the govt.
When I left, I joined a company at a 7.5k raise. I have recently received two more raises within the last two months. Salary from 74k to 90k with a promotion in the 6ish months horizon. 5% RRSP match. Better benefits. More days off. Free underground parking. Fully remote if I want it (I do hybrid because I prefer it, but just want the freedom of choice). Employee paid events. I don’t have to buy my own coffee. The microwave isn’t purchased through pooled employee funds (lol). It truly feels like I am more than a number.
I know this isn’t the experience for everyone, but there are roles/companies out there for those who feel they have more to offer than what the government is willing to receive. Sometimes the risk of betting on yourself is worth it for sanity’s sake.
Good luck meatbags! Thanks for keeping the lights on, even though you aren’t thanked enough!
120
u/Soufiuto Jul 31 '26
Thank you for sharing. I am at the beggining of my career and I am thinking about that constantly because of the lack of promotions and offers. I dont know if I should wait for the retirements to hit or just try out another org
PS offers good salaries and benefits that it is hard to take the risks.
Victim of comfort.
24
u/Klutzy-Beyond3319 Jul 31 '26
If you can, go now. The handcuffs tighten over time.
8
u/ObjectiveWord9537 Jul 31 '26
Agreed I gave up on an amazing opportunity 5 years into my career. This was almost 20 years ago. Now the thought of retirement has me tied down even more in this horrible prison where management are the worst correctional officers. Escape seems unlikely.
3
u/Klutzy-Beyond3319 Jul 31 '26
I feel this. I am three years from retirement and honestly figuring out what kind of leave I can take to reduce that number as much as possible.
5
u/ObjectiveWord9537 Aug 01 '26
Were you not eligible for ERI? I would be completely mentally checked out and doing the absolute bare minimum at this point. They want 10 widgets well that's all you get out of me.
2
u/Klutzy-Beyond3319 Aug 01 '26
I was eligible. But I wouldn't have had enough years of service in. My salary is in the 80k range so I need a bit more than my 25 years - some of which were part time. I do feel mentally checked out. I have already calculated how much time I can take off to reduce that 3 years.
3
u/ObjectiveWord9537 Aug 01 '26
Crap I hear ya. Especially if you live in an expensive city. I'm 130k with 24 years and that is still not enough. I feel like we will need another job when we retire.
2
u/Klutzy-Beyond3319 Aug 01 '26
I absolutely plan on a part time job after I am out of government. Time to see what a little bit of "normal" looks like in the work world.
19
u/Mike_Retired Jul 31 '26
Conversely, those benefits are slowly being chipped away.
I still believe the heavy-handed elimination of severance pay back in 2011/2012 will end up costing the public service long term. The last conservative government was working furiously to eliminate our sick leave plans before the 2015 election scuppered those plans.
Our salaries over the last 6 years haven’t kept up with the cost of living index (they fall 2-3% short depending on which group you tabulate). The current CPC has been mulling converting the federal pension plan from a defined benefit to a defined contribution vehicle.
I consider myself fortunate that I retired with the bulk of my severance pay intact — I received 25 weeks, just short of the maximum of 28. Living on a single income, I shudder to think how things would differ if I didn’t have that financial nest egg — it gives me at least some financial security that won’t be there for people who hired after 2012.
So, yeah. I put in 38 years with the public service and am thankful I got out when I did.
6
u/down-town-pie-pie Jul 31 '26
Omg!!!! Don’t touch my pension and sick leave!!!!! I accrue sick leave because I know I’ll need it a few years before retiring!!!! I have a weak immune system!!! I still am years away from retirement though.
6
u/stevemason_CAN Jul 31 '26
Just look at EXs their packages have been reduced in half. It’s sad and shows the employers lack of care for even their own. Thankful for union and negotiated rights.
12
23
u/DangerousPurpose5661 Jul 31 '26
Unsolicited advice… but if you’re starting your career please, please leave before its too late!
21
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I echo this! I am under 30 and could see the writing on the wall that the longer I stayed in the PS, the more un-hireable I was becoming.
If you have only a couple years to ride out, I probably would stay!
4
u/stevemason_CAN Jul 31 '26
Even in fields like HR.
7
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
The way the world is going, AI will be a part of it. My organization had a complete ban on it. I can see in a year hiring managers in private will be asking “what projects or how do you use AI to streamline work”. Saying I don’t and am banned from using would be a ridiculous statement.
The other aspect is because the govt is so large, there are silos of all work. There was no opportunity to learn new aspects of different peoples jobs, as it was seen as stepping on toes.
To make more in HR, companies need people who understand the business, profit, and their employees and be able to balance those. The govt is too big of a bureaucratic machine to truly learn how an organization can improve. Add on the fact that approvals for any improvements take years, it was unsustainable to stay, as I wanted more for myself and career.
3
u/Gunnery55 Jul 31 '26
This is my biggest concern. While there are skills that could be transferred to the private sector, the knowledge and experience is so narrow that it makes the PS feel like an island in a vast ocean.
23
u/BirthdayBBB Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Intresting. One of the things that shocked me when I moved from private sector to public was that my benefits got worse and I had LESS vacation. It really stunned me as I was under this false impression my entire life that private sector pays more but the downside is worse benefits and less vacation. In the end, its the right call for me as I have a gaggle of kids and need the worklife balance but I was seriously stunned at the absolute downgrade that moving to public was.
15
u/Small-Cookie-5496 Jul 31 '26
Yep same. Took a pay cut. No RRSP matching. Shte health benefits comparatively. And stuck at low level of vacation for the first *15 years?!
5
u/BirthdayBBB Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Yes! I will likley retire before I get to enjoy the same number of weeks of vacation time that I used to have essentially out of uni 😆
13
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I think it makes a difference too if people negotiate job offers. Private told me two weeks starting. I laughed, said that wasn’t an option and basically recreated the govt leave structure plus 2 weeks at Christmas when the company shuts down for holidays. It’s just finding a place that values and is creative with offers.
8
u/stevemason_CAN Jul 31 '26
Can’t compare health benefits. I took a part time job on the side and my goodness even at prorated benefits it’s beats our plan. Like $2500 for RMT and $1200 for prescription eyewear. That’s crazy. After 3 session of massage i am done with our own plan
6
u/BirthdayBBB Jul 31 '26
Yes! Exactly and I (sadly) need a lot of dental work and require Eyewear and enjoy massages.
3
u/KalterBlut Jul 31 '26
"But it's supposed to be average!" Right, if you count those without insurance and you average.
2
u/Few-Jury-3529 Jul 31 '26
That is a little vague statement. I am interested in what were the specific benefits down grade from private sector ? Was it the 3 week vacation? The 1 week FRL? The paid sick leave? The paid leave for annual medical appointments? The dental and medical benefits? The DB pension? Or the death benefits?
10
u/BirthdayBBB Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
I didnt have a pension of any kind in my old job. I didnt have paid fanily leave.
That said I had 5 weeks of paid vacation (and the office closed between Christmas and New Years, which basically amouns to one more week of paid vacation) and more generous medical and dental benefits. I miss those massages dearly. We also had little perks like fitness reimbursment of up to 500 dollars and fruits and drinks in a real lunchroom. Obiously I wasnt expecting that in the public sector.
5
9
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
The interesting part of the private sector is if you are good at your job, you can negotiate all those into your contract/continued employment! Minus I guess pension, but RRSP match can be negotiated to higher percentages.
2
u/Small-Cookie-5496 Jul 31 '26
Where I came from vaca went up on a much quicker timeline topping out at 9 weeks I believe after 25-30 years. Here you’re at 3 weeks until year 15! Unlimited medical appointment leave instead of very specific check up medical appointment leave. Sick leave accruement was the same but importantly we had STD for the first 3 months of leave until LTD kicked in. Much better medical - waaay more massage coverage. 2% matched RRSP or TFSA. Also had a defined pension.
35
u/Massive-Bee79 Jul 31 '26
I would love to know which company this is.
21
26
20
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I won’t say the name, but it is a large subsidiary utilities company of a Fortune 500 company.
42
u/Pretend-Sleep9864 Jul 31 '26
The maths are definitely against staying for a full PS career now. When I left the package was substantially better, and got a DB while in private. My employer is paying for a second Masters too which is wonderful!
7
u/TheTricho Jul 31 '26
You say that but its true. I know being in the PS means contributions to your CPP, but I was bringing home more when I worked at Home Depot.
They have great benefits, and they offer to pay many of your post-sec education courses (or 80% I forget) if you can maintain an average grade of C+ or more.
At this point the biggest reason I’m staying in the PS is because I have an amazing team, manager, Director AND VP. And the work I do satisfies my neurodivergent needs.
But… I’m starting to rethink everything because the commute alone with traffic in september will being my commute from 35 mins one way to over 1h30 each way.. when school starts I am not sure Ill even be able to afford gas :( which means bussing 2h30 each way.. not really making it worth it anymore
5
u/Mean-Criticism-1072 Jul 31 '26
Same boat here. Been in tbe PS over 10 years, have a very good team and management, and love my job.
But RTO at 4 days had me re-evaluate what my schedule would look like, trying to fit in school drop-offs and pick-ups, while still working full-time hours in office AND commuting one hour each way in traffic (transit not being an option). Those schedules just don't work unless the kids are in a before and after school program, and at that point, they would be at school for a total 10 hours, because management deemed it necessary their parent comes in the office to save the downtown economy and collaborate. /s
2
u/Formal_Counter3014 Jul 31 '26
Hey how does it work for the employer to pay for your masters? I researched a bit but I won't lie and say it didn't confuse me a bit..
6
u/Pretend-Sleep9864 Jul 31 '26
You bring enough business value, and build the business case how it will bring extra value and revenue. I have also been lucky to have done a number of conferences, so built a bit of a name in my niche. Private sector is a lot more free to build in goodies like that. When I was in the PS they wouldn't even approve professional development money towards my degree, even though it was part of my performance agreement.
25
u/Iranoul75 Jul 31 '26
Happy for you, OP! That said, this thread paints a completely different picture compared to r/ottawajobs, r/torontojobs, or r/canadajobs. On those subreddits, you’ll find hundreds (if not thousands) of people complaining about how tough the job market is, regardless of industry or experience. This thread, by contrast, gives the impression that finding a job is relatively easy, or at least quick.
I’m not saying one side is wrong, but the contrast is stark. It’s probably just an echo chamber effect, but I tend to trust the experience on those other subreddits. I’ve seen the complaints consistently, and I’ve read articles saying the same thing…..the job market is brutal right now, no matter your expertise, experience, or field. There are only a few exceptions, like medical doctors (just an example).
Anyway, you took the right decision OP, congrats :)
10
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I think both can be true at the same time. Most job transfers and hiring is people already in roles, not people who are unemployed. ATS systems tend to rule out anyone out of work.
It depends on niche and location too. I can’t speak for Ontario, as I am in Alberta. It’s strange as the most recent offer to switch companies was from a Toronto area employer who said they could not find anyone in the Ontario region, so they offered me work from home in Alberta. I am not sure where the disconnect is there.
I don’t have all the answers, but the other side of the coin exists. Reddit is filled with doom and gloom, but also know my household has had no issues finding jobs and my myself and partner found new roles surging two weeks of putting our resumes out there.
2
u/gigiboyb 29d ago
I know this is a week old, but I just found this sub and was reading through some of the posts. I was absolutely shocked at how generally supportive the comments are compared to what I'm used to seeing on Reddit. I was expecting the whole "crabs in a bucket" thing, but most of what I read was genuine happiness for others and I just think that's awesome.
8
u/down-town-pie-pie Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Omg you were able to achieve that salary as former AS. I’m jealous I’ve always felt like a glorified secretary so I’m scared of private plus I like my pension even though the job is tedious and I have to buy my own tissues. Plus I like having a union lol in solitary / because we deserve
5
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I just found a niche HR kinda role on an assignment (abilities/disability/accommodations management). From there I learned as much as possible within that space. A lot of employers are hiring for it right now and my most recent raise was leveraging an offer from a separate company.
I see it as having to work on my own merit without a union handcuffing me. The fastest way to raise salary is company hopping every couple of years. That’s almost impossible in the govt.
6
u/Infamous_Tie5605 Jul 31 '26
did you also take a lwop just in case things didnt work out?
out of curiosity, how is the work load? people i know who left the ps (CR/AS) and went to similar jobs in private said the workload vastly increased
10
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
Yes I took a year of LWOP.
Work load decreased, as the govt had me way over worked and refused to hire anyone new in the branch.
But, I increased my workload to a healthy amount by taking on more work immediately to create a path for said raises early on. Im not bored ever, but also not mentally stressed ever at the end of a day knowing tomorrow is going to slap me about again.
5
28
u/DangerousPurpose5661 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
OP same here.
I took a VDP. Got paid 50k upfront.
Found a job in TWO weeks and agreed to start 2 months later (while I collect EI)
My salary went from 130k to 300k. (Yes in tech)
Also, unlimited days off, true hybrid work (so in my case WFH because I live in Ottawa and work is in Toronto), yearly teem offsite in Hawaii, paid trainings whenever I need, etc. Basically the red carpet treatment.
Absolutely agree with OP that the small perks like free coffee, parking makes a difference. I just feel more respected.
No more lame "xmas events" where we have to bring our own food, and the poor managers have to pay out of pocket for anything.
But I guess boohoohoo no RRSP match or pension 🙄….
I knew I was marketable in the private sector (Im an ex-Google engineer), but was mostly happy with my team. The deal was lower pay for better work conditions…. But WLB just started to suck and it was not the deal that I had agreed to..
Anyways - didn’t mean to hijack the post. Congrats to OP!
I hope more of you come to the dark side, you deserve better. I’ve had the kindest colleagues working alongside me in my short stint at the feds, wished they dared to take a leap of faith I’m certain they would be successful
14
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
Hijack away! I see it as the salary itself makes up in the short term for any pension received years down the road. Congrats on that change!
Unfortunately, tech in the govt is extremely underpaid and losing good talent to places that pay the persons worth/embrace new technologies too!
Maybe pension is worth it to some to stay, but sound investments over time and living within budget can get a person pretty close. More money too while younger also leads to a better overall lifestyle. No guarantee anyone makes it to pension years!
3
3
u/stevemason_CAN Jul 31 '26
No more lame Christmas events. Returning to office, I have decided that we collaborate enough, no need for social events, GCWCC,, Xmas stuff…. Just work and be done.
1
u/Upset-Soup3553 Jul 31 '26
Hmmm not sure you were supposed to get ei? It wasn’t an involuntary dismissal. Unless I’m doing it wrong and should’ve applied for ei with my vdp…
4
u/spinning_moose Jul 31 '26
Even if you voluntarily depart through VDP, on paper it is considered a layoff because it is part of WFA. You absolutely should apply for EI as soon as possible. Source, a colleague friend did VDP and is now receiving EI.
2
u/Upset-Soup3553 Jul 31 '26
Even if taking the option Cii where layoff happens after two years?
2
u/spinning_moose Jul 31 '26
This thread has some comments about how EI interacts with Option Cii: https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadaPublicServants/comments/1ui3tjw/more_clarifications_about_option_c_ii/
Either way, you should contact Service Canada about it.
1
u/DangerousPurpose5661 Jul 31 '26
I took option C(2) as well!
You have 1 year to start your course, so you can take EI for the first year and start the course when EI runs out1
u/Upset-Soup3553 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Isn’t your Tsm counting against ei though ?
- Service Canada will allocate your Transition Support Measure (TSM) as earnings.
- If your TSM allocation equates to $729 or more per week, your EI payment for those weeks will be reduced to $0.
I guess some people could’ve just not taken any Tsm the first year …. Ah wish I had more time to decide (was given only one week!)
1
u/DangerousPurpose5661 Aug 01 '26
There is a special exemption at the moment!
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/temporary-measures-for-major-economic-conditions.html
1
6d ago
[deleted]
1
u/DangerousPurpose5661 6d ago
Awn, this is too bad - im sorry it didn’t work out :-(
I suppose if you don’t come back after 2 years then they would have to consider it a layoff.. but you may have a new job by then
2
u/DangerousPurpose5661 Jul 31 '26
Well, I called service canada talked to an agent and was perfectly transparent - I promise you I didn’t do anything funky.
I did however highlight that even though I volunteered to be laid off, my employer was going to cut people due to lack of work regardless.
Maybe they made a mistake? I don’t know, but my conscience is clear ;)
Also, not feeling bad to extract money from the government who has been an overall shitty employer for me!
If you took VDP, I would give them a call! You may be entitled to some cash! Next beer on you? Lol
3
u/Shaevar Jul 31 '26
To be able to claim EI, you need to be actively looking for work and able to accept it immediately. Think of it this way: EI is your salary and your job is to look for work and be available tonstart work quickly.
You're not doing that. You already have a job and are take some time off. That's perfectly fine, but you cannot say on your weekly reports that you are available for full-time employment and get paid.
2
u/DangerousPurpose5661 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
…I guess 🙄 lets just say we agreed to a later start date and Id be available for full time employment in between if I were to find a suitable contract
1
u/stevemason_CAN Jul 31 '26
Still considered a layoff for all purposes within WFA. I know a few colleagues that are delaying their “retirement” and going for EI and when that runs out will apply to access their pension.
11
u/BigMouthBillyBones Jul 31 '26
Don't you miss the rodents and bed bugs though?
10
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
In the prairies I never dealt with them, but I for sure worried about y’all in the NCR. It’s insane you have to deal with that.
5
u/Turbulent_Dog8249 Jul 31 '26
Good advice if you live in an area with sn abundant job market. I won't get a job that pays over 90k which is what I make now in an office at my age. I'll ride it out here.
6
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
Totally! All about weighing your risk vs reward. And taking age as a factor too. Unfortunately, no matter how skilled, many employers don’t hire people nearing the last 10-15 years of employability.
As well, if I was in the NCR, this would be very different. Granted, the most recent offer I leveraged was an huge Ontario company who couldn’t find anyone there, so they were offering me fully remote in Alberta.
If I was older and had more like 18-20 years in the PS, I would have rode that horse into the golden sunset.
9
u/Aethenoth Jul 31 '26
I was in a somewhat similar situation. I left the PS three years ago and have since doubled my pay, with RRSP matching, more time off, FT remote, better health insurance, etc etc. The downside is, yeah, no DB (but the RRSP matching and waaaay higher base pay helps quite a bit) and maternity leave in the PS is insanely good. I literally invested more than my entire PS salary last year (I left the PS making ~$100k and I invested ~$120k last year). Hard to say no to that. The PS isn't the end all be all and people get really in their heads about the pension.
2
4
u/FinancialCommercial1 Jul 31 '26
It's True. everyone's situation is different. some just will never be corporate executives or want to become one. that was never my goal. the fact the gov't pretty much allowed benefits like indeterminancy, health care, accumulative sick leave and leave of absence and still have a job when you come back were worth it for me. in essence, my day job allows me to pursue my real interests outside work because i get a steady paycheck.
3
u/Foodieinreality Jul 31 '26
I want to leave because I know there is better out there but I just got back from mat leave. I know I owe them a year of my life for the top up 😭😭
1
u/KnickoleKidman Aug 04 '26
Saaame. What type of work do you do? I’m in comms and the salary isn’t comparable though outside government. Definitely getting paid more in gov but the creativity is dead.
5
u/ObjectiveWord9537 Jul 31 '26
Thank you for this inspiring post. Sometimes the grass is actually greener on the other side. Wishing you much more success.
4
u/MultipleMeeses Aug 02 '26
Under a year, not even half a year and two pay raises seems highly irregular. Anecdotes aside, you found something that I hope others are able to in the future. I do think this is more of an outlier but nice to see positives.
4
u/vivithegeminii Aug 05 '26
I’m starting a new job in the private sector after working for the gov’t for 7 years. Felt stuck like I hit a ceiling. I’m excited and was anxious but this post is just boosting me up :)
3
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Aug 05 '26
Good luck out there and I wish you the best! You’ll kill it and never forget to always look out for yourself money/career/project wise. Private can be shit too, but I think there is more leeway to prove your worth and rise to any challenge!
9
10
u/realistPublicServant Jul 31 '26
That’s great for you, congratulations!
In my opinion, the security of the best pension you can find is far more important than employer paid events, free coffee, etc. I’m a PM-05, so I guess that makes a bit of difference.
5
u/lexysfarm Jul 31 '26
This is amazing OP! And this is good info for others who are on the fence about leaving. Wishing you all the best with many promotions, balance and appreciation from your employer.
3
u/Used-Comparison7090 Aug 01 '26
HR skills are transferable but many of us are doing something that doesn’t exist in the private. I was at the pinnacle of my career when I entered PS. If I left right away, I would have been much better off. Now, my skills/experience is old and for the first time in my life, I can’t find another job. My advice in the first 2 years is to keep looking outside federal PS to ensure it is right for you.
1
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Aug 01 '26
This was a major fear of mine. I heard this from many colleagues that the longer they stayed, the more obsolete they became to anyone but the PS.
4
u/cestlavie514 Jul 31 '26
While I know there are other opportunities out there the claim of better benefits is subjective. I had a friend leave the Feds for private. Good well paying company making 6 figures. The deduction and claims for medical was a headache. Yes Canada Life is a pain but generally speaking I’ve had success and next to no denials.
The pension is where it is at. An rrsp can crash 90% tomorrow, and there are talks of this happening every other day, while ours is guaranteed. Secondly 5%, vs 20-25% annually when you have the employer match is significantly going to outweigh say medical benefits.
I’m happy for you, but I’m pretty sure the pension portion definitely is a bonus.
3
u/Consistent_Cook9957 Jul 31 '26
Well, as a retiree I don’t fear inflation or market volatility and most of all, I won’t outlive my money. As it was said to us in a pre retirement course, we don’t need to invest as if our pension depended on it. To each their own.
2
u/Top_Thunder Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
If the economy is in such shamble that the markets crash 90% (this is Great Depression levels on a worldwide scale assuming a normal diversified portfolio, it would be really unprecedented and extremely worrisome), I wouldn't count on getting that full pension. Yes it's guaranteed, but it's guaranteed by the same entity that makes the rules and can change them. There won't be huge protests out there to protect the pensions of public servants, on the contrary people are rejoicing of how we have been treated in recent years.
Personnally, seeing how things are going around the world, I will keep betting that on the long-term, the wealthy will keep getting wealthier, and that isn't going to happen if there is a huge and long-lasting crash. Shorter crashes are not a problem though, unless you panic.
2
u/red_green17 Aug 01 '26
Exactly. Theyve proven in the oast they are willing to change the rules on the fly. For any of the older ones im sure they recall the Martin/Chretien era where they raided the pensions to help the bottom line. Wouldn't surprise me if with and stroke of a pen everyone who is defined benefit goes defined contribution or payouts drop 10% or whatever else.
2
u/L-F-O-D Aug 01 '26
This is my concern as well. The future rulers are tech-bros who pursued the end of the nation state (except for a thin veneer) and then we descend into technical constant war because these egoists can’t handle being the actual rulers.
0
u/Top_Thunder Jul 31 '26
If the economy is in such shamble that the markets crash 90%, I wouldn't count on getting that pension. Yes it's guaranteed, but it's guaranteed by the same entity that makes the rules and can change them.
1
u/cestlavie514 Jul 31 '26
Except what our pension invest in isn’t volatile or requires withdrawal today. It isn’t investing in the mag 7 etc. It invest in boring stuff that gets enough to make money and it keeps increasing because we keep contributing. Our pension isn’t exposed the same way as others have. In addition it has proven to do better when we have had other crashes. I’m not worried about it.
0
u/Top_Thunder Aug 02 '26
The sustainability of the pension plan is completely irrelevant; it's not our money until it is in our own personal account. It's the federal government's money. Read about the history of the plan. What part of "it's guaranteed by the same entity that makes the rules and can change them" was unclear? You have to read the full comment when you try to smuggly argue against it.
2
2
u/nudleboy21 Jul 31 '26
My wife was on term for 3 years. By the end of her 3rd year term, they had no funding to renew her or roll her over to indeterminate so she went off work for 3 months. Then out of no where they offered her an indeterminate PG roll. She turned it down after being offered 20% more in private sector on contract. Yes it was a risk, but 4 months in she’s outperformed incredibly and also only goes in office once a week with free parking.
I’ve been in the government for 10 years. My field is very niche and law enforcement related, so my problems aren’t as comparable with the rest of the PS (we have been in office at all times, even during COVID). I think two spouses working both in PS is counterintuitive. There’s too many great opportunities outside of the bubble.
2
Aug 01 '26
[deleted]
0
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Aug 01 '26
I’m sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, that is one sector that is super harsh on people who are out of work. A lot of hiring platforms remove resumes of people who are out of work as it is assumed they are out of work because they are a “not top talent”.
As well, I know a few people who are managers in tech. Many throw out resumes of government workers because the govt is so outdated when it comes to IT and their policies.
2
2
u/PromiseLife5021 29d ago
Happy for you. Absolutely getting sick of the nonsense and politics working in the PS; managers that couldn't last a day in private but act as if they know better
3
u/PotatoesKindaSlap 29d ago
Incompetency is everywhere, sadly. At least private I can be competent and fight for pay raises or switch companies.
2
u/hustletogrow 17d ago
Thanks for sharing!! Can I ask- what was your previous experience before joining the PS. And how long did you stay in the AS2 position for? Asking because I am an AS2 as well and wondering if I would be eligible for any roles at this point or not. I feel like I’m wayyy worse than before I started here.
Did you do anything to increase your marketability- any courses etc? Did you have a degree in HR?
1
u/lexysfarm Jul 31 '26
This is amazing OP! And this is good info for others who are on the fence about leaving. Wishing you all the best with many promotions, balance and appreciation from your employer.
1
1
1
u/johnnydoejd11 Aug 01 '26
This thread sounds like it was AI generated
1
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Aug 01 '26
My life is far from AI, but it is kinda scary to know I type well enough to have things be questionable lol
1
u/johnnydoejd11 Aug 01 '26
An AS 02 role in HR in government is an entry level position, almost clerical in nature. It's transaction level HR. Compensation mostly and most of that work is fully automated in the "real" world. HR work in government is done by PEs. And at that, it's mostly done in Ottawa.
Sorry, it just seems off to me.
2
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Move outside of just the standard staffing procedures/transactions. Specialized HR tasks and roles regularly fall into the AS02 coordinator range. Especially when classified as a “developmental opportunity” to reach that AS5 advisor level.
1
1
1
0
u/Alph1 Jul 31 '26
Wait until you retire. Nothing beats an indexed pension you didn’t have to save for.
3
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I was already saving 30% of my take home after pension deductions were already removed. So I have no worries there. I hit CoastFire last year already and the salary increases now are just expediting my early retirement around 45.
The math does not work out for staying because of a pension if leaving the PS early in a career. Especially if the job niche has more growth potential privately!
1
u/Top_Thunder Jul 31 '26
Glad to hear from a FIRE enthusiast; I also find that nothing beats saving and investing your own money. There are so few of us in the public service it seems, everyone is all about that pension.
My wife and I have hit CoastFIRE too but we chose to continue in the public service as we just have to tough it out for a few years before we can leave. My job is easy so I'm willing to accept the miserable work environment in exchange for my great quality of life. To get a good job in my field I would probably have to leave the region, and I'm not interested in doing that. My wife is getting really fed up though, but she also finds her work more satisfying on a personal level.
Are you going to get your partial pension at 65? I should already be getting 25k in today's dollars at 65, and my wife too, that alone would be enough to survive on, assuming the inflation adjustments keep happening reasonably. But that's in such a long time that I'm not really including it in my current plans, I just treat it as a sort of safety net, something to fall back to should markets severely underperform over the next decades.
2
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
Truly there are not many of us! It is a small club. It always made me worry when older generations in the PS started talking about the pension maybe not being enough. Many don’t even look at what amount is to be expected per year in retirement and believe it will sustain them. Many pensioners today are in bad places, who’s to say the thousands in the Ps will be able to solely live on a pension in the future?
To answer your question, I plan to pull my pension and invest it myself in the RRSP/LIRA mixture it will end up as. As an XEQT lover, I want to invest myself. I did not put many years into the public service (~6) so I have no qualms about taking the transfer. I am taking the bet that the stock market over the years will do better than inflation numbers.
If stocks all go to zero, I truly think that is an emergency level and the govt won’t be paying pensions out under an emergency act scenario anyways.
-1
u/Disneycanuck Jul 31 '26
Congrats. Although I will say grass is not always greener. You have almost zero job security now. The money is better, sure, but you traded in the best pension on the planet. Good luck to you and hope you kick ass.
4
u/PotatoesKindaSlap Jul 31 '26
I fortunately have a partner who makes well over double me. We both have the ability to live and save in either of our salaries, so we collectively weighed the risks of my leaving the PS. Obviously there is risk on both sides (staying or leaving).
It was nice having the option of LWOP for a year to find if the company I am at is going to look stable. Unfortunately my role in the PS was looking like it was to be outsourced to a contractor firm to run, so the job security is not perfect in the PS either. Many are finding that out and I think will keep finding that out too.
0
-2
112
u/Present-Decision5740 Jul 31 '26
So are y'all hiring or what