Feds - how long to stay while underpaid during a hiring freeze

[Anonymous]

I'm a Fed, and topped out of my career ladder about a year and a half ago. I am performing at the next level and have been told that they are planning to create a position at the next GS level (for me, but I would apply like everyone else through USAJobs and go through that whole process). There are two delays in creating this position - one is an agency-wide hiring freeze, and the other is that other positions may need to be created in the office before mine because other people need promotions too.

How long should I wait this out? I have invested a lot in this job and would like to continue to grow in this office, but I'm getting tired of having all of the pressure and expectations of the next level job and not getting paid for it... especially with how expensive it is to live in DC. On one hand, I know that I am lucky to have a job at all, but on the other hand I work very hard and do excellent work and feel like I should be compensated for it. I honestly have no idea how long it will take for the position to be approved, posted, and then hired for. What would your considerations in making this decision?

[Anonymous]

It never hurts to look elsewhere. Just because you apply to a job doesn't mean you have to accept it. I spent some time looking outside my current organization this spring. Based on the positions out there, I came to the conclusion that I need another couple of years where I am before I can move to the job I want. Frustrating, but at least I know and now have something to work toward. You may look elsewhere and find a new, better, more financially rewarding opportunity, or you may simply discover a new-found appreciation for your current position and decide you don't mind waiting for that promotion after all.

[Anonymous]

First & Foremost, what's your alternative?

Likely few & far between given this market in federal service and elsewhere.

If you can move somewhere else where it's cheaper to live and you want to do that, do that.

OTOH, if you want to stay here you have to accept that in general, as a Fed you are going to be paid less in many fields (esp. professional) than in private industry, that is part of the deal.

And career ladder is what it says, there's no right or entitlement to a promotion above it. It might be the fair thing, but there is little or nothing fair about what is going on regarding federal employee compensation etc., these days (I retired after 26 yrs. including the last 7 topped out and with salary frozen the last 4 or so).

Not sure what you mean by "other people need promotions"... do you mean career ladder promotions that are frozen? Or do you mean other people "want" or have earned promotions through excellent work. People "needing" promotions has never been a relevant criteria for me or my agency in determining who gets promoted, nor should it, really.

Your only other choice is to vote with your feet, if you're lucky enough to be able to find something else.

[Anonymous]

If you don't like it, you need to find an alternative. Things move glacially slowly in the federal government and there are never any guarantees.

[Anonymous]

I work for a Beltway Bandit -- they cut 20% of people at my contract, and corporate has apparently postponed pay rises from 1 July to 1 October.

[Anonymous]

If you REALLY believe you are doing work above and beyond what is in your PD, at the next GS level regularly and it's documented, you can ask for a desk audit (which can backfire).

But, if you're frustrated and think you're being taken advantage of...you can always do that. Or have a sit down with your supervisor and explain your frustrations.

I'm often frustrated and feel taken advantage of, that I work beyond what I'm paid...but I simply spend a lot of time looking for other jobs. They are out there.

[Anonymous]

If you get another offer in writing they may be able to match it - or at least that is what happened to me.