Federal employee bonuses

[Anonymous]

I got a $2,500 performance award for successful litigation of a requirement worth $4B and three years of boots on the ground involvement working with the client. GS-14 Attorney. I used to receive $800 bonuses about 4-5 years ago. Most recently, it was $200 or 4hrs leave. Take your pick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got a $2,500 performance award for successful litigation of a requirement worth $4B and three years of boots on the ground involvement working with the client. GS-14 Attorney. I used to receive $800 bonuses about 4-5 years ago. Most recently, it was $200 or 4hrs leave. Take your pick.

I just had appellate argument in a case that I've been working on for 5 years and it's worth more than that. Were probably 40 lawyers on brief for the other side. Don't think I'll get a bonus, but man it feels good to win.

[Anonymous]

Bonuses or performance awards?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got a $2,500 performance award for successful litigation of a requirement worth $4B and three years of boots on the ground involvement working with the client. GS-14 Attorney. I used to receive $800 bonuses about 4-5 years ago. Most recently, it was $200 or 4hrs leave. Take your pick.

I just had appellate argument in a case that I've been working on for 5 years and it's worth more than that. Were probably 40 lawyers on brief for the other side. Don't think I'll get a bonus, but man it feels good to win.

Yes! It was my very first win so the performance award was just added gravy to feeling really good. I was the youngest person in the office put on that requirement straight out of law school is why I think I got a performance award out of it. Like how the hell did she pull that off with effectively zero training lol. It was also the largest requirement at our agency at the time with lots of congressional interests and several hearings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent financial regulatory agency. $17K bonus this year.

I know my colleagues in our Legal division get bonuses of 15-25% of annual income. They also typically work 60-70 hours each week.

I should add that this was my year-end bonus. I received the highest possible performance review (exceeds/exceeds) for my grade.

I also received a $500 spot bonus in the spring; a $1500 spot bonus in October for finishing a high priority project for my main principal; and 3 days of "excused absence" days to use by end-of-year (does not count as my normal leave, cannot roll over).

It was my best year in 7 years at this agency.

So SEC or CFTC

[Anonymous]

I believe my spouse gets $3500 from CFPB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some years, yes. I've gotten somewhere between nothing and up to $1200 or so in the last ten years (I'm GS15). SES get more.

Nice! What agency (if you don’t mind sharing?)

FERC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent financial regulatory agency. $17K bonus this year.

I know my colleagues in our Legal division get bonuses of 15-25% of annual income. They also typically work 60-70 hours each week.

I should add that this was my year-end bonus. I received the highest possible performance review (exceeds/exceeds) for my grade.

I also received a $500 spot bonus in the spring; a $1500 spot bonus in October for finishing a high priority project for my main principal; and 3 days of "excused absence" days to use by end-of-year (does not count as my normal leave, cannot roll over).

It was my best year in 7 years at this agency.

So SEC or CFTC

I don't think the SEC gives bonuses that big, at least for line folks. I've gotten and seen for others a few thousand or so. I am less familiar with the CFTC, but given how broke they are, that would surprise me.

[Anonymous]

No bonus -- after they do performance reviews in January there is a small cash award if you score high enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t want to join the private sector, because I like and believe in the work, and don’t particularly want to sell my soul. I realize the trade offs I have made and most days am fine with them (for example, I am not worried about being fired because I failed to meet my billable hours). But for those who grouse about lazy, useless federal employees, don’t bonuses seem like a reasonable way to compensate high performers?

My DH is a federal employee (GS-15 attorney) and I know that he does important work. But as a person who works in the private sector, I definitely do not believe that I have "sold my soul." There are many reputable companies for which to work that provide valuable products and services in this economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got $1600 this year. I am a GS-13.

Woa - I want to work where you work !

[Anonymous]

Well, there won’t be a raise this year, so enjoy your minuscule bonuses.

[Anonymous]

$1500 and 16hrs of leave - I'm a GS-15

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don’t want to join the private sector, because I like and believe in the work, and don’t particularly want to sell my soul. I realize the trade offs I have made and most days am fine with them (for example, I am not worried about being fired because I failed to meet my billable hours). But for those who grouse about lazy, useless federal employees, don’t bonuses seem like a reasonable way to compensate high performers?


My DH is a federal employee (GS-15 attorney) and I know that he does important work. But as a person who works in the private sector, I definitely do not believe that I have "sold my soul." There are many reputable companies for which to work that provide valuable products and services in this economy.

Sorry, PP, you are absolutely right. This statement is based on my previous stint in Biglaw, during which I did indeed feel like I was selling my soul given the work I was doing. I recognize not everything in the private sector is like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you kidding me? I worked my tail off this year leading a large, high-profile case (GS-15 attorney) and got a $350 spot award. It's shameful.

Quit bitching and join the private sector.

At least PP probably gets really good and, hopefully, cheap health care...??

+1 I chuckled at the "it's shameful" comment. You work for the government what do you expect? Your benefits are already over the top.

I’m curious about what you think counts as “over the top” benefits.

Yes, we do have access to a range of affordable health insurance plans. I pay close to $1000/month for BCBS coverage for my family. I paid less in the private sector. Vision and dental benefits are available separately but expensive. My fed employer matches my retirement contributions up to 5%, which is typical of private sector. We have access to affordable group life insurance. Long term disability is ridiculously expensive, as in private sector. We have no short term disability insurance and no parental leave, though we can take up to I think 6 weeks of advanced leave if we use our available leave and still need time off.

Maybe these are over the top compared to what a GS7 could get in the private sector, though I doubt a GS7 would find most of the health insurance plans affordable. But for professional fields, Ive found that fed benefits are at best comparable to and often not as good as what’s available in the private sector.

Oh and bonus, every once in a while we get to wonder if we’re getting our next paycheck(s).

So I ask again, what’s over the top about fed benefits?