See hy do so many want Federal government jobs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some reasons:

- The pay is decent enough, especially in a dual-income household. Two federal employees at GS14-10 will make about $350k HHI, which is enough for most people.

- Guaranteed job security. You cannot be laid off for economic reasons, for being too old, etc. You can work past 65 if you really want.

- Related, you don’t need to worry things like keeping clients, business development, generating revenue, etc. You can focus solely on your work.

- After 15 years you’ll get about five weeks paid vacation, and you can use it on vacations of any length. In the private sector it can be hard to take even two weeks off, but in the government, if you’ve got five weeks or more saved up, it’s no problem to take a month off to travel or whatever (without checking email).

- The work is less stressful IMO. I know many federal employees who work long hours, but it’s not quite the same as in the private sector where you may be forced to work all weekend without advanced notice for something critical or to keep a major client.

I actually think the benefits kind of suck (other than vacation time). Assuming you’re not grandfathered in and pay nothing toward retirement, contributing 4.4% of your salary for the pension doesn’t seem like a great deal.

Actually, by today's standards, for a pension 4.4% is a pretty good deal, as much as I don't like it. A family member of mine is a teacher in Arizona and she pays in 11% of her pay towards her state pension.

I think it’s better for people who intend to spend their careers at the government and retire there. But if you don’t then it seems kind of weak given inflation. E.g. if you work there from age 36-45 then your pension will be 11% of the average of your last three salary years, i.e. what you earned at ages 43-45. By the time you retire 20 years later, the pension might not be that much anymore. Not saying it’s a bad deal, just that it’s overrated, IMO. I think I would rather have my contribution the government’s contribution as base compensation (which would probably be a better deal for the government too, but I’m no actuary).

[Anonymous]

I think it is very hard to compare jobs. Certainly I know people who have much more stressful jobs...but that get bonuses that are like half my salary. They go to conferences in exotic places. Christmas week off in addition to vacation leave. Free lunch on Tuesdays. I could go on.

14 10 Fed married to the same. We are not complaining. We both find our jobs interesting and satisfying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s interesting that there’s a pretty consistent narrative for seeking federal government work.

So, I have a follow up question. Most of you seem pretty happy with your federal government gig, yet you still complain A LOT. Square that for me. How can you be so aware of how good you have it and yet complain that you’re underpaid, for instance? When you say such things, do you temporarily forget the cost of your pension, days off, etc. The whining makes you seem ungrateful for what many of you have described as a pretty desirable situation.

1) this is an anonymous message board, why do you assume it's the same people saying they're happy and complaining? For instance, there is a huge range of pay in the government. I know people with relevant master's degrees stuck in GS-05 to GS-09 jobs (about 40-65k in the DC area). They ARE underpaid and SHOULD complain. On the other hand, there are people on this thread making 200k, which is twice my salary! That's like saying "people who work in companies shouldn't complain about being underpaid" - you know they don't all have the same job or pay structure, right?

2) defensiveness. There is a very widespread perception that we don't do anything. Many of us aren't allowed to work overtime without prior written approval, but we do work full-out for our 40 hours and feel like we do meaningful work.

3) newer feds aren't in the same situation as older ones. The pension is worse (4.4%!), and the vacation days aren't really better than private sector (13 a year). I don't complain about them, but they also aren't something to be "grateful" for, they're pretty basic employment benefits, and they wouldn't keep me in the government if I got a competitive offer elsewhere. Someone who's been a fed for 15+ years pays less toward the pension, has more time kn service for a bigger payout, and gets twice as much time off.

4) note that not one person has complained about their work being pointless, but a lot have mentioned mission. That's what keeps people in these jobs sometimes *despite* all the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s interesting that there’s a pretty consistent narrative for seeking federal government work.

So, I have a follow up question. Most of you seem pretty happy with your federal government gig, yet you still complain A LOT. Square that for me. How can you be so aware of how good you have it and yet complain that you’re underpaid, for instance? When you say such things, do you temporarily forget the cost of your pension, days off, etc. The whining makes you seem ungrateful for what many of you have described as a pretty desirable situation.

1) this is an anonymous message board, why do you assume it's the same people saying they're happy and complaining? For instance, there is a huge range of pay in the government. I know people with relevant master's degrees stuck in GS-05 to GS-09 jobs (about 40-65k in the DC area). They ARE underpaid and SHOULD complain. On the other hand, there are people on this thread making 200k, which is twice my salary! That's like saying "people who work in companies shouldn't complain about being underpaid" - you know they don't all have the same job or pay structure, right?

2) defensiveness. There is a very widespread perception that we don't do anything. Many of us aren't allowed to work overtime without prior written approval, but we do work full-out for our 40 hours and feel like we do meaningful work.

3) newer feds aren't in the same situation as older ones. The pension is worse (4.4%!), and the vacation days aren't really better than private sector (13 a year). I don't complain about them, but they also aren't something to be "grateful" for, they're pretty basic employment benefits, and they wouldn't keep me in the government if I got a competitive offer elsewhere. Someone who's been a fed for 15+ years pays less toward the pension, has more time kn service for a bigger payout, and gets twice as much time off.

4) note that not one person has complained about their work being pointless, but a lot have mentioned mission. That's what keeps people in these jobs sometimes *despite* all the above.

Great response! I pay .8% into my salary and make over $150K and I don’t complain about my pay. I also have great FinReg benefits. I do complain that my coworkers don’t all seem to know how good they have it, but most didn’t work at other agencies so they aren’t reliable sources of what it’s like to be in Federal Service in general. Plus, if you come mid-career you don’t have as much leave and that pension isn’t really that much, since the amount multiplies by your years in service and costs 4.4% every check. That’s why the health care in retirement and job security are the main draws at that point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s interesting that there’s a pretty consistent narrative for seeking federal government work.

So, I have a follow up question. Most of you seem pretty happy with your federal government gig, yet you still complain A LOT. Square that for me. How can you be so aware of how good you have it and yet complain that you’re underpaid, for instance? When you say such things, do you temporarily forget the cost of your pension, days off, etc. The whining makes you seem ungrateful for what many of you have described as a pretty desirable situation.

I’m pretty happy as a fed and I don’t complain here, but I can think of reasons why I would given my situation.

For a long time I was a government scientist. I had to do “development” and scrape for billable hours all the time and it was a constant struggle to support my salary and the people working for me. I used to work 60hr weeks and there’s zero comp time or bonuses. Now I’m in a senior management role elsewhere in the government and I have a more manageable schedule but my pay is capped (which means declining real income) and I see my peers outside the government eclipsing my compensation. Living in the DMV I have a lot of fed friends at similarly high levels. They all have a similar story. They get offers for 50% more in private business. But things like the sense of doing good for the nation or just the retirement health care (we’re old enough that that’s near for us) is enough to keep us in government. And we watch our non-fed friends taking two-week European vacations that yes, we have enough time off for, but which we can’t afford. And we see the trolls on DCUM complaining that we’re lazy and have it easy when clearly they have no idea what it’s like. And people in the military who, by and large, have better pay and better benefits, are considered exemplars while civil servants are considers leeches even though we often work side by side.

So I get why people complain. We love our work (or at least tolerate it in the sense of public service). A lot of feds in the DMV work very hard, are very dedicated, and are certainly under rewarded for what we do and there’s so much contempt for us.

[Anonymous]

Working people always complain about their jobs and all jobs have ups and downs. Govt job is no different. Some days are good, some days not so good. But benefits are good all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s interesting that there’s a pretty consistent narrative for seeking federal government work.

So, I have a follow up question. Most of you seem pretty happy with your federal government gig, yet you still complain A LOT. Square that for me. How can you be so aware of how good you have it and yet complain that you’re underpaid, for instance? When you say such things, do you temporarily forget the cost of your pension, days off, etc. The whining makes you seem ungrateful for what many of you have described as a pretty desirable situation.

I’m pretty happy as a fed and I don’t complain here, but I can think of reasons why I would given my situation.

For a long time I was a government scientist. I had to do “development” and scrape for billable hours all the time and it was a constant struggle to support my salary and the people working for me. I used to work 60hr weeks and there’s zero comp time or bonuses. Now I’m in a senior management role elsewhere in the government and I have a more manageable schedule but my pay is capped (which means declining real income) and I see my peers outside the government eclipsing my compensation. Living in the DMV I have a lot of fed friends at similarly high levels. They all have a similar story. They get offers for 50% more in private business. But things like the sense of doing good for the nation or just the retirement health care (we’re old enough that that’s near for us) is enough to keep us in government. And we watch our non-fed friends taking two-week European vacations that yes, we have enough time off for, but which we can’t afford. And we see the trolls on DCUM complaining that we’re lazy and have it easy when clearly they have no idea what it’s like. And people in the military who, by and large, have better pay and better benefits, are considered exemplars while civil servants are considers leeches even though we often work side by side.

So I get why people complain. We love our work (or at least tolerate it in the sense of public service). A lot of feds in the DMV work very hard, are very dedicated, and are certainly under rewarded for what we do and there’s so much contempt for us.

I’m a Federal Employee and so is my husband and we do take 2 week European vacations! If this were not anonymous I’d PM you with tips and tricks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a fed and make almost 200k plus bonuses, have 26 days of vacation (over 15 years of service), work a 40 hr week on interesting topics and for a mission I believe in. Telework a lot too. I mean what’s not to like/want? My work life balance is pretty amazing - I work out regularly, am super present for my kids, etc. I’m not making as much as ppl I know who r in private companies but I’m definitely the least stressed and fulfilled.

That said, I’ve worked at 3 agencies and my current gig is the most functional and competent I’ve worked at so that def makes a difference. It can be a hit or miss.

Sounds like FinReg.

I’m at HHS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s interesting that there’s a pretty consistent narrative for seeking federal government work.

So, I have a follow up question. Most of you seem pretty happy with your federal government gig, yet you still complain A LOT. Square that for me. How can you be so aware of how good you have it and yet complain that you’re underpaid, for instance? When you say such things, do you temporarily forget the cost of your pension, days off, etc. The whining makes you seem ungrateful for what many of you have described as a pretty desirable situation.

I’m pretty happy as a fed and I don’t complain here, but I can think of reasons why I would given my situation.

For a long time I was a government scientist. I had to do “development” and scrape for billable hours all the time and it was a constant struggle to support my salary and the people working for me. I used to work 60hr weeks and there’s zero comp time or bonuses. Now I’m in a senior management role elsewhere in the government and I have a more manageable schedule but my pay is capped (which means declining real income) and I see my peers outside the government eclipsing my compensation. Living in the DMV I have a lot of fed friends at similarly high levels. They all have a similar story. They get offers for 50% more in private business. But things like the sense of doing good for the nation or just the retirement health care (we’re old enough that that’s near for us) is enough to keep us in government. And we watch our non-fed friends taking two-week European vacations that yes, we have enough time off for, but which we can’t afford. And we see the trolls on DCUM complaining that we’re lazy and have it easy when clearly they have no idea what it’s like. And people in the military who, by and large, have better pay and better benefits, are considered exemplars while civil servants are considers leeches even though we often work side by side.

So I get why people complain. We love our work (or at least tolerate it in the sense of public service). A lot of feds in the DMV work very hard, are very dedicated, and are certainly under rewarded for what we do and there’s so much contempt for us.

I’m a Federal Employee and so is my husband and we do take 2 week European vacations! If this were not anonymous I’d PM you with tips and tricks.

PP. I’d love to hear those! But why are these tips and tricks not anonymizable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stability
No billable hours
No need to do development
Post retirement health insurance and some pension
Mission-driven
As a young attorney, got way more immediate hands-on litigation work than I ever would have at a big firm. I was first-chairing trials within two years.

Being first chair is also a ton of work, though. Are you getting overtime or something when you work nights and weekends to prepare for trial? Also, no need to do development, but do you lost out on not having that skill when/if you move to the private sector?

Also, someone above mentioned a bonus. Feds get bonuses?

Litigators at my former agency got comp time for hours worked over 40 hrs.

Yes, fed get bonuses or awards. I’ve gotten cash and time off awards.

[Anonymous]

I left the private sector and took a big pay cut because of the mission. Even when it’s boring I know I’m doing something worthwhile.

The vacation days and possibility of pension is nice too.

[Anonymous]

Show up (or not even show up with remote work) collect fat paycheck. Sounds good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a fed and make almost 200k plus bonuses, have 26 days of vacation (over 15 years of service), work a 40 hr week on interesting topics and for a mission I believe in. Telework a lot too. I mean what’s not to like/want? My work life balance is pretty amazing - I work out regularly, am super present for my kids, etc. I’m not making as much as ppl I know who r in private companies but I’m definitely the least stressed and fulfilled.

That said, I’ve worked at 3 agencies and my current gig is the most functional and competent I’ve worked at so that def makes a difference. It can be a hit or miss.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a parasite. Re-read your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a fed and make almost 200k plus bonuses, have 26 days of vacation (over 15 years of service), work a 40 hr week on interesting topics and for a mission I believe in. Telework a lot too. I mean what’s not to like/want? My work life balance is pretty amazing - I work out regularly, am super present for my kids, etc. I’m not making as much as ppl I know who r in private companies but I’m definitely the least stressed and fulfilled.

That said, I’ve worked at 3 agencies and my current gig is the most functional and competent I’ve worked at so that def makes a difference. It can be a hit or miss.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a parasite. Re-read your post.

Why? Sounds good to me.

- np