re: Federal Pay Outpaces Private Sector?

Juan B — Tue, 05 May 2009 05:05:13 GMT

Lots of factors. I've worked for the DoD (civilian) and private sector (currently). I make more now, but often work 60 hour weeks - up from 50 hours during normal times - mostly due to the fact that they laid off a bunch of people and there is more work, less people, and I don't want to be laid off next. Oh, did I mention my gave everyone a 10% pay reductions? On the flip side, a friend of mine at another company and "only" works 4 days a week for 80% pay (company's choice, not his). Problem is, he still has to do the same amount of work, just in less paid days...figure that one out. Federal government may not be paid double, may not even be paid the same as private sector, but still has a lot going for it. A lot of times I wish I had never left.

re: Federal Pay Outpaces Private Sector?

Jaime — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:20:24 GMT

Great article! You have explained a point I often try to make (far less articulately!) when people use similar data to say that federal workers are overpaid. Taking the workforce as a whole never makes sense - you have to compare apples to apples and not apples to fruit salad!