Why People Won’t Quit Their Low Paying Government Jobs

By Michelle Wanjiku

Even with the constant strikes, government employees organize to ask for pay increments, why is it that a majority of them won’t quit their low paying government jobs?

The pay is bad for some people, (not everyone) and there is usually very little room for changing careers like there is in the private industry.

For example, when working for a private company you can do very many things, you can be working in HR, Procurement, and Communication. This is almost unheard of in the government.

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Here is a list of reasons why people won’t quit their low paying government jobs

1. The first reason people won’t quit their low paying government jobs is Job Security

Of course, this is what everyone wants. The knowledge that you won’t lose your job, no matter how bad the economy.

Especially at a time where very many companies are laying people off because of the economy, having job security is a good thing. No wonder people working in the government don’t want to quit.

With most government positions one is hired on a permanent basis. Which means if you want, you can work there until you retire.

However, there are exceptions just like in any organisation. Gross misconduct and decisions to undercut resources for the organisation you work in can lead to termination of employment.

2. Flexible hours is one of the reasons why people won’t quit their low paying government jobs

People get very frustrated with government offices for closing shop early and opening late, some even start work at 9 am and leave at 3 pm. Although, a majority of government offices close at 5 pm.

Nowadays everyone is looking for flexible work hours. This is because a majority of people want time to focus on their businesses or studies.

Not to mention that if you work in the government, you do not work on weekends and holidays. Whereas in the private sector working on weekends and sometimes holidays is a norm.

Who doesn’t want flexible work hours?

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3. Benefits

Recently there was a story about the SRC trimming hefty allowances paid to civil servants. In the article, there are people earning a basic salary of around 8K, but getting an allowance of around 20K.

Government workers receive a housing allowance, medical allowance, travel allowance, mileage claim, vacation pay and many other allowances depending on the organization you work for and your job group.

Now if this is not a good reason to stick to your job I don’t know what is. People nowadays are looking beyond the salary to the benefits package the employer offers. It all makes sense for one to continue working for the government.

4. The Power that comes with a job title

For most employees in the private sector, the job title is just but a description of what you do in the organization.

When it comes to government jobs this is different. In the government, people work in job groups. The higher your job group the better your benefits and title.

For example, some job groups will entitle you to a car and housing, while others won’t. Therefore, instead of just getting a job promotion and a higher salary like in the private sector, job promotions in the government come with a lot more perks.

5. Retirement package

When you retire as a civil servant, you will continue being paid a monthly pension and lump-sum pension gratuity will be given on the date you retire.

This is however only for employees who were employed on a pensionable basis.

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It is important to remember that even with all these, for one to stay at their job, it’s probably because they like what they do or they are comfortable and cannot complain about the situation. So now you know why people won’t quit their low paying government jobs.

Do you have any thoughts on why people won’t quit their low paying government jobs? Share them below