Sector Switching in Good Times and in Bad: Are Public Sector Employees Less Likely to Change Sectors?

• Author: Jaclyn S. Piatak
• Published date: 01 December 2017
• Date: 01 December 2017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0091026017712739
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0091026017712739

Public Personnel Management

2017, Vol. 46(4) 327 –341

© The Author(s) 2017

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DOI: 10.1177/0091026017712739

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Article

Sector Switching in Good

Times and in Bad: Are Public

Sector Employees Less Likely

to Change Sectors?

Jaclyn S. Piatak1

Abstract

With the retirement of the baby boomers looming and the growing number

of opportunities to serve the public interest in broader ways than working in

government, how dedicated are today’s public employees? This study examines

the job sector changes of nonprofit and government employees compared with

for-profit employees during both stable and unstable economic conditions. Sector

switching within the government sector across federal, state, and local government

employees is also examined. Findings show no sector differences during stable

economic conditions, but illustrate federal government and nonprofit employees

are more likely to move into the for-profit sector during times of economic

instability. This study highlights the impact of tough labor market conditions on

employment decisions. Nonprofits’ reliance on labor donations may no longer

be sufficient, and public managers should tailor their recruitment and retention

strategies to suit the level of government.

Keywords

sector switching, turnover, staffing, recession

Let the public service be a proud and lively career.

—President John F. Kennedy

1University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC, USA

Corresponding Author:

Jaclyn S. Piatak, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of North Carolina

at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.

Email: jpiatak@uncc.edu

712739PPMXXX10.1177/0091026017712739Public Personnel ManagementPiatak

research-article2017