Being a civil servant is a career option that many people consider due to the stability and guarantees it offers. However, there are also challenges and negative aspects that are important to know before making the decision to take the exam. In this article, we will analyze in depth The advantages and disadvantages of being a civil servant in Spain, comparing them with the private sector and explaining the process of access to public service.
What does it mean to be a public servant?
A civil servant is a public sector worker who accesses his position through a opposition process or competitive examination, which grants you a service relationship permanent bases with the Administration. Unlike private sector workers, civil servants have their working conditions regulated by specific regulations and enjoy a series of rights and obligations.
There are different types of civil servants in Spain:
- Career officials: They are those who have passed an exam and have a permanent position.
- Acting Officials: They occupy a position temporarily until it is filled through a selection process.
- Employment officials: Linked by employment contract with the Administration.
Access to the civil service varies according to the body and level of the position, but usually requires the passing theoretical and practical exams, physical evidence in some cases, and accreditation of academic merits or professional experience. To learn more about this topic, you can visit the article on what is a public employee.
Advantages of being a public servant
The choice to take the exam is mainly motivated by a series of expected benefits that the public sector offers. These are the most notable:
- Employment stability: Once a permanent position is obtained, the civil servant is guaranteed employment for life, except in cases of serious sanctions.
- Regulated salaries and supplements: Although salaries may not be as high as in the private sector, they have seniority increases (three-year periods) and specialization supplements.
- Comfortable schedules and conciliation: The working day is usually regulated, with options for flexible schedule and intensive workday.
- Holidays and permits: Officials enjoy up to 22 working days of vacation per year, in addition to paid leave and personal days.
- Social security and pensions: They are guaranteed a stable pension and, in many cases, access to private healthcare through mutual funds such as MUFACE.
- Geographical mobility and internal promotion: Transfers, promotions, and job changes can be requested through merit-based competitions.
- Leaves of absence and labor rights: Possibility of requesting voluntary leave of absence without losing your position.
Disadvantages of being a public servant
While the advantages of being a civil servant are many, there are also some disadvantages that should be taken into account before applying for the competitive exam:
- Difficulty of access: Competitive examinations are often extremely competitive and require years of preparation.
- Rigidity and little flexibility: Administrative processes can be bureaucratic and uninformative. dynamic compared to the private sector.
- Monotonous work: Depending on the position, some activities may become repetitive and offer few opportunities for innovation.
- Salary limitations: Although salaries are stable, there are salary caps and performance incentives are lower than in private companies.
- limited mobility: In some competitive examinations, assignment is not always voluntary, and transfers may depend on complex bureaucratic processes.
Comparison with the private sector
To better assess whether being a civil servant is the best option, it is useful to compare how it is they differ both sectors:
- Remuneration: In the private sector, higher salaries are possible thanks to incentives and bonuses, while in the public sector, income is more stable.
- Professional development: In private companies, promotion depends on performance, while in the public sector it is based on merit and seniority.
- Flexibility: The private sector offers more options for teleworking and job sharing.
- Job security: Stability is one of the great advantages of the public sector, where layoffs are rare.
Deciding whether to take the exam or not will depend on the personal preferences and priorities of each person. The stability and security of public employment are key factors that attract many, although those seeking constant challenges, higher incomes and rapid development may find the private sector more attractive.
