Play Nice Random Chat Thread VII

[Lomas]

any of you had much experience working for the APS vs working in the private sector?

I currently work private, but might have the opportunity to move into an APS role soon and I'm genuinely conflicted about what to do. Essentially, I absolutely love the people I work with and my management at my current place but hate the company, the senior leaders and what they stand for and some of their practices, and I despise the fact that basically all I'm doing is making them money.

On the other hand, although I'll make more money in the short-term, my 'future earning potential' is obviously undermined working for the APS. My manager is something of a mentor and they've said they have a lot of faith in me and could see me quickly graduating into a more senior position. In fact, they've pretty much promised a promotion soon in my current job (pending HR approval lol, and if what I've heard is anything to go by, it might not result in an immediate salary increase).

The idea of contributing to society absolutely appeals to me too and is probably my main motivation to wanting to work APS, but I'm concerned that the slow nature and probable lack of creativity will lead to me getting bored and losing interest quickly.

Any advice from people who have experienced both or been at a similar career crossroads?

I have worked for the APS, private sector, and NFPs. At the end of the day, moving between projects has worked out well for me. The experience I have gained, along with the contacts, lets me earn a similar amount across all three, and probably higher than if I stayed in the APS or NFP.
If you work in an area where the three overlap you can maintain the good relationships with the people you work with, without the angst of private sector minionship.

 

[goalieboy82]

from this morning...

 

[goalieboy82]

from this morning...
View attachment 1613773

he was under the bed (his little safe space) when i walked in, then come out and moewed and started to purr..

 

[Val Keating]

Some footage from this years ATHERSTONE BALL GAME. Mental.

 

[Mr_Nyah]

any of you had much experience working for the APS vs working in the private sector?

I currently work private, but might have the opportunity to move into an APS role soon and I'm genuinely conflicted about what to do. Essentially, I absolutely love the people I work with and my management at my current place but hate the company, the senior leaders and what they stand for and some of their practices, and I despise the fact that basically all I'm doing is making them money.

On the other hand, although I'll make more money in the short-term, my 'future earning potential' is obviously undermined working for the APS. My manager is something of a mentor and they've said they have a lot of faith in me and could see me quickly graduating into a more senior position. In fact, they've pretty much promised a promotion soon in my current job (pending HR approval lol, and if what I've heard is anything to go by, it might not result in an immediate salary increase).

The idea of contributing to society absolutely appeals to me too and is probably my main motivation to wanting to work APS, but I'm concerned that the slow nature and probable lack of creativity will lead to me getting bored and losing interest quickly.

Any advice from people who have experienced both or been at a similar career crossroads?

I moved into the public sector last year, lasted 6 months and have moved back into private. Some people love it, but (from my experience - not every org will be the same) everything is slowed down by bureaucracy and red tape, there are vested interests that mean decision makers act according to what's best for their career rather than what's better for the broader public, and the org I worked for had toxic employees everywhere and actively encouraged and rewarded them.

That said, you will likely be able to get a more senior and better paid role in the public sector than you would in the private sector, so if you can last a few years it will be a good step in your career and allow you to climb the food-chain faster (if that's your thing). Definitely don't go in thinking you could make a difference to society though (like I did), you'll end up disillusioned. Good luck!

 

[blackshadow]

lol



I hope it costs the little s**tstain a bomb in legal fees

 

[HELLSBELLS]

Not sure where to out this but

This is a call out for help for a young player at Kilmore Football Club The young man who is an absolute ripping kid has brain cancer and he’s fighting it like a beast. He has a young family and is buying his house and we are trying to help him with the fight of his life by raising much needed funds to help him pay for his continued treatment and costs associated with the operations.

We are having a massive fundraiser at Kilmore on Saturday 18th March & we are looking for donations be that cash or goods/services to raffle. This is an outstanding young man who has not complained once about the hand he has been dealt with. So if you can help in any way please reach out to me and I can guide you through the process.

#h#helptommy

https://gofund.me/82dc6c46

Every cent counts Shinboners

And a bit of background too

 

[Makeshift Park]

Quite superb digital production on this abc story about the 78ers who created Sydney’s Mardi Gras.

When Robyn saw the news camera flash, she knew this photo would come back to haunt her

What began one night in June, 1978, with a large crowd of partygoers ended in fear, arrests and brutal violence. This is an immersive 3D retelling of Australia's first Mardi Gras.

www.abc.net.au

Pretty incredible what happened on those streets of Darlinghurst, not so long ago.

 

[Val Keating]

R.Kelly just copped 20 years and Weinstein got another 16. Both will probably die in prison. Great outcome.

 

[rickety]

Who just flew south out of Melbourne in a very low flying 4 engine aircraft with the copper chopper as an escort? Raising roofs over Rye it was as low as buggery. And as loud as all get out as well. TT being escorted to the penal colony on the Map? Ooohhhh never mind, they’re just practicing for the air show …. Bloody raafies

 

[gustaaf]

any of you had much experience working for the APS vs working in the private sector?

I currently work private, but might have the opportunity to move into an APS role soon and I'm genuinely conflicted about what to do. Essentially, I absolutely love the people I work with and my management at my current place but hate the company, the senior leaders and what they stand for and some of their practices, and I despise the fact that basically all I'm doing is making them money.

On the other hand, although I'll make more money in the short-term, my 'future earning potential' is obviously undermined working for the APS. My manager is something of a mentor and they've said they have a lot of faith in me and could see me quickly graduating into a more senior position. In fact, they've pretty much promised a promotion soon in my current job (pending HR approval lol, and if what I've heard is anything to go by, it might not result in an immediate salary increase).

The idea of contributing to society absolutely appeals to me too and is probably my main motivation to wanting to work APS, but I'm concerned that the slow nature and probable lack of creativity will lead to me getting bored and losing interest quickly.

Any advice from people who have experienced both or been at a similar career crossroads?

I have worked in the private, community and public service sectors, but by far the most in the latter. The APS has changed a lot over the years and isn't anywhere near the slack organisation it has the reputation of being. The need for accountability of the public purse expenditure imposes frustrations on the work that is done because of the many checks and balances that need to take place. In my APS employment I was exposed to a lot of large private and public companies and my experience was that they could be even more bureaucratic and cumbersome than the APS. Every APS Department will vary from others in how they operate, but the general rule of thumb is that the further you get away from National Offices in Canberra, the harder you'll work for your money. Constant changes can be frustrating and the wheel is often reinvented. Pay increases have been very limited and often deliberately delayed (sometimes for years) in the APS for at least 10 years, but you'll get almost automatic pay increases through annual increments, or promotions or job re-classifications. When I started out the classification of a Regional Manager responsible for hundreds of staff and more than a dozen locations is now just a classification for a middle manager with relatively few responsibilities. I retired early because the Super Scheme I paid into was very generous and allowed me to do so. That has now all changed, so it is no longer a significant factor to want to work in the APS. I have to say that overall I can recommend it as a career and the benefits outweigh the negatives. The work conditions are good and the APS can offer very flexible work arrangements, but beyond a certain level they effectively own you and you'll work a lot of unpaid hours. You can be creative in the APS and good managers will appreciate you showing initiative. There is no such thing as the perfect job, but you'll never know until you give it a go.

 

[travelli]

Senator Lidia Thorpe ‘moved on’ from Mardi Gras march by police

The Greens turned independent senator was moved on from the Sydney Mardi Gras parade by police after footage showed her lying on the street and temporarily halting the march.

www.theage.com.au

I like Lidia, but she's got to have a think about what she's doing now. She's got a real opportunity to make a real case for the next near decade, but stunts like this make me think it's more about the cocaine than the cause.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Senator Lidia Thorpe ‘moved on’ from Mardi Gras march by police

The Greens turned independent senator was moved on from the Sydney Mardi Gras parade by police after footage showed her lying on the street and temporarily halting the march.

www.theage.com.au

View attachment 1616393

I like Lidia, but she's got to have a think about what she's doing now. She's got a real opportunity to make a real case for the next near decade, but stunts like this make me think it's more about the cocaine than the cause.

I think she’s a bit nutty, but she actually has a point on this occasion.

All for police officers joining Mardi Gras floats, but a police themed float at mardi Gras is abhorrent.

 

[AnEmptyChair]

I have worked in the private, community and public service sectors, but by far the most in the latter. The APS has changed a lot over the years and isn't anywhere near the slack organisation it has the reputation of being. The need for accountability of the public purse expenditure imposes frustrations on the work that is done because of the many checks and balances that need to take place. In my APS employment I was exposed to a lot of large private and public companies and my experience was that they could be even more bureaucratic and cumbersome than the APS. Every APS Department will vary from others in how they operate, but the general rule of thumb is that the further you get away from National Offices in Canberra, the harder you'll work for your money. Constant changes can be frustrating and the wheel is often reinvented. Pay increases have been very limited and often deliberately delayed (sometimes for years) in the APS for at least 10 years, but you'll get almost automatic pay increases through annual increments, or promotions or job re-classifications. When I started out the classification of a Regional Manager responsible for hundreds of staff and more than a dozen locations is now just a classification for a middle manager with relatively few responsibilities. I retired early because the Super Scheme I paid into was very generous and allowed me to do so. That has now all changed, so it is no longer a significant factor to want to work in the APS. I have to say that overall I can recommend it as a career and the benefits outweigh the negatives. The work conditions are good and the APS can offer very flexible work arrangements, but beyond a certain level they effectively own you and you'll work a lot of unpaid hours. You can be creative in the APS and good managers will appreciate you showing initiative. There is no such thing as the perfect job, but you'll never know until you give it a go.

Hey, thanks for your insight, mate. That's really interesting. It actually contradicts some other things I've read, especially the bit around working unpaid hours. Previously, I'd read that in 99% of positions below the upper reaches, you can effectively clock out at 5 and forget about it for the rest of the day, and if you did have to work overtime you could take time off later using the Flex system.

But thanks, that's really helpful.

 

[giantroo]

Wallan locals were sick of this pothole, so they came up with a creative fix!

The sign says 'Wallan Botanic Gardens'.

 

[giantroo]

 

[koshari]

Truss lifter

 

[Chadwiko]

The Filth Wizard Twinkletoes and the other ones

 

[goalieboy82]

 

[Hojuman]

Thanks for this G.R. I'd really like to pay you for info like this. PM your BSB and acc.no. and l'll drop you a few $'s.

 

[Massive Unit]

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our 18yo Westie named Woodley a couple of days ago.

He had some health problems during the last couple of years but really went downhill this past week and let us know that it was time. Absolutely devastating. I'm gonna miss him so much!!

 

[Eggs11]

Insomnia is a bitch.

 

[Hojuman]

Insomnia is a bitch.

Hear you Eggs.

 

[Masked Avenger]

I think she’s a bit nutty, but she actually has a point on this occasion.

All for police officers joining Mardi Gras floats, but a police themed float at mardi Gras is abhorrent.

Why MP?

How else do you break down those barriers?

I would have thought normalising the relationship between the Police and minority groups is a good thing.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Why MP?

Because there are 78ers who still carry the trauma from the violence of the original protest, and that's wholly the fault of one organisation: the NSW Police.

Its also because the Mardi Gras parade is rooted in the fight against oppression, and there is an extent to which that struggle is inseparable from the struggles of the broader human rights movement. I think there remains much work to be done to eradicate institutionalised violence against Australia's indigenous community, including the LGBTIQ indigenous community. When injustices like deaths in custody are no longer perpetrated against first nations people at a shockingly frequent rate, then I'm sure rights campaigners will be a lot more accommodating of including police and corrective services floats in mardi gras.

Its also important to acknowledge that police have an important and unpopular job that deserves respect. I'd hate to be a first responder who rocks up to work, never sure if I'm going to attend a fatal car crash, or a domestic violence incident, or some grieving mother to tell her that her kid has been killed. And its right that we have places and occasions to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by individual police officers. But because of that inseparable link between mardi gras to the broader historical struggle that I've alluded to, I don't think its appropriate that the parade should be an occasion where the police force as an entity seeks to be celebrated.

How else do you break down those barriers?

Personally I think the onus should be on the NSW Police to take the initiative. Promote officers with lived experience of homophobia and racism into positions of power. Investigate why there are still segments of the gay and lesbian community that fear them. Ask themselves whether the level of institutional acknowledgement for the decades of "****ter bashing" that preceded and followed the original mardi gras is sufficient.