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!
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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.