Posted on 01/04/2012 6:18:01 AM PST by Poundstone
Interesting fact-based discussion on salary levels in the federal service for high-value employees. Really cuts through the hyperbole that frequently obscures the facts on this subject.
And what of their other perks, i.e pension, days off, etc. ?
All you have to do to just forget about such things is get yourself into a critical job, or one that requires extraordinary expertise.
Then the fact you worked 40 days in a row, 18 hours a day, just doesn't count. There's no make up for weekends lost.
The only compensatory factor is the feds allow some carryover of annual leave ~ which can add up to months by the time you retire.
BTW, "days off" is not a factor that pays more money to anybody in the federal government! It might in the private sector, but I simply never saw it.
for later
Federal worker productivity less effective than 1969?
“..job performance productivity at the federal level is so lacking in comparison to other business entities in the economy, according to the American Enterprise Institute, that it may not make sense to put anyone else on the payroll.”
I don’t have a problem with high salaries for specialists, experts, and world-class talent in gov’t. What I have a problem with is the cheating, manipulating, and pooch-screwing that goes on at all levels. Here in IL, (yeah, I know)...two state employees worked ONE DAY as substitute teachers in order to nearly double their retirement pensions.
Get rid of the abuse and no one is going to complain about the salaries of the 1%.
The only problem is that these positions are not necessary.
The fact that the “same job” commands much more in the private sector proves that the federal government is largely staffed with left overs and / or incompetents.
From the article:
“The General Schedule may well overpay some employees — no one seems willing to develop the facts”
So much for fact-based discussion.
The article fails to deal with whether or not government should be doing things that some of the high-paid employees are doing.
The article fails to deal with the fact that we can’t afford the government we have, nor will we be able to pay for the government employee retirement promises in the future, nor does it deal with the immorality of government benefits being paid for by the productive efforts of citizens who, because of the cost of government, cannot afford the same benefits for themselves.
It’s a mathematical certainty that the government retirement, of which you are so proud, will not be as long or as lucrative as you wish for it to be.
What is unknown is to what degree government employees and retirees such as yourself will be willing to enslave those who do the real work of America before we cut you off.
What has the NIH ever done that is necessary? In theory, it directs money toward health related research. Sounds good but the country is broke and ANY list of federal grants will contain some terrible choices. This is an agency that could easily be cut.
I lost all faith in the credibility of government salary decisions when I found out Linda Tripp was making $98,744 a year.
great source of info (I think?)
Who is doing 'real work' in that circumstance?
A mechanic can't develop a longer lasting safe battery system for an electric car, but a good PhD chemist can. Isn't that 'real work'?
A burger-flipper can't create circuitry to save lives in a combat zone, but a good PhD Electrical Engineer can create them. Isn't that 'real work'?
Some of the people I know in this workforce spend up to 80 hours a week at their jobs. Salaried. Aren't they doing 'real work'?
The benefits after Jan 1 are no longer any incentive to attempt to find a job in the Federal system. Pay freeze, a diminution of medical benefits both for employed and retirees, 401K contributions and a number of other items have been reduced or eliminated entirely, moreso than the public sector.
Making broad generalizations such as yours, doesn't accurately describe reality in a lot of the circumstances.
Those at the government sponsored Federal Reserve, Freddy & Fannie should be in jail.
Please see post no 6. Thank you.
I do not care what any of you think or say... WE NEED FAR FEWER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES OF VERY SIZE AND SHAPE... savvy?
LLS
“Making broad generalizations such as yours, doesn’t accurately describe reality in a lot of the circumstances.”
Every job you list can and should be done in the private sector.
The private sector is where the overwhelming majority of all work gets done.
It’s the way a free country operates.
Your assumption that these jobs MUST reside in the federal government is the real problem. You do not understand, and won’t until you are relieved from your federal job and have to actually rub elbows with the people that pay for it all.
You WANT the best people in those jobs, and should be willing to pay them.
“The benefits after Jan 1 are no longer any incentive to attempt to find a job in the Federal system. Pay freeze, a diminution of medical benefits both for employed and retirees, 401K contributions and a number of other items have been reduced or eliminated entirely, moreso than the public sector.”
Based on the above, you are completely out of touch. You had best hang on in the federal system as long as you possibly can. You will find that the real world is harsh in comparison, and that you cannot hide in the crapper reading the sports page half the day and still keep your job. (this example came from an actual federal employee....he was bragging)
Psst....I have worked in the 'private sector' as you call it.
I got hired into the Federal system BECAUSE of that experience and expertise gained there.
I earned my way here.
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