IT Job Perks

Business Insider and Glassdoor.com have teamed up to put together a list of the top 25 technology companies to work for. But even given the perks some companies offer, such as gourmet cafeterias, lax dress codes and state-of-the-art fitness facilities, many of the top companies are struggling with the same human resources challenges as the federal government: inadequate compensation, office politics, overbearing middle management and a lack of work-life balance.

Even number-one rated Google had some negative reviews from employees who said middle managers, who were perhaps hired during the early growth years for convenience rather than qualifications, have stifled career growth. Employees at number-two rated Adobe say they are constantly concerned about layoffs, as upper management seems concerned more with the company's performance on Wall Street than it is with employee morale. Microsoft, which came in at number 11, is said to offer good salaries and room to move up, but its enormous size makes it more difficult for employees to stand out.

Is the grass still greener in the private sector? Or do the federal government's perks - such as competitive pay, generous benefits, job security and a commitment to improving the work-life balance of employees - increase its competitive edge for highly-skilled IT workers?