Feds angry at possible pay freeze extension
To say feds have had enough is an understatement, according to readers who chimed in on the proposed extended pay freeze.
Sen. Dean Heller’s proposal to extend the current pay freeze for federal employees an additional three years stirred up quite the emotional reaction among FCW’s readers, many of whom said they are ready to move on from government if the proposal becomes law.
“I've had it," Annette commented. "I can retire in 1.2 years, and I'm not sticking around for more of these threats. I know I can find a decent-paying job out in private sector. Here, I have a lousy boss, being overworked because of the personnel cutbacks, pay freeze and yet prices go up, [we are] perceived by public as lazy federal employees. You name it, I've had it.”
Another reader who predicted a gloomy future for feds expressed similar cynicism and offered some advice for those considering a public sector career.
“Frankly, I'm outta here in about two years, max -- less if I get a couple of other financial issues squared,” that reader said. “I'm reconciled to never seeing another pay raise. Would I recommend my kids, or other young folk, enter or stay in federal service? Not on your life!”
One commenter who is eligible to retire in less than two years agreed, and “would never recommend employment with the federal government to friend or foe.”
“It's been an unbelievably difficult and tiring 34-year career to date, including three volunteer DOD civilian tours in Afghanistan supporting our troops,” the reader added. “This is the thanks we get from Congress.”
A couple of readers said they had decided to tough it out because of the current strained economic climate that makes better jobs few and far between.
“I'd stick it out, really, I don't have much choice as I am close but not close enough to retirement to consider a move to the private sector, etc.,” commented one reader. “But the savings in federal salaries realized by extending the pay freeze are so tiny in comparison to the budget it's laughable that anyone would think of it as true savings.”
Another reader said he had decided to stay because he had invested many years in government
“I have been in government too long to leave; basically, I'm vested in my retirement benefits,” Rodger said. “Based on some recent private sector employment and what my friends in the private sector tell me, I am unconvinced that private sector operations are necessarily more efficient or decent places than government to work.
Reader Puregold in Bethesda, Md., took a swipe at the Republican lawmakers who are backing the extended pay freeze proposal, saying they need to get reminded “that federal workers have real jobs and do real work.
“These clowns expect that federal workers, who generally get slightly lower salaries than at similar positions in the private sector, should accept five years of pay freeze, while they steadfastly refuse any proposal that multimillionaires pay even a penny more in taxes,” that reader commented. “Their idea of shared sacrifice is that the 99 percent (especially government workers) share the sacrifices, and the wealthiest 1 percent don't because they are allegedly the ‘job creators.’ We see how well that works. Get real!!