- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
I was just reading this article today, and wanted to know what the opinions of my fellow hivemembers are. I know that I, as a federal employee, am not a fan of this at all.
So tell me, do you think this is a good idea, or do you think that it's just saving face?
Just for perspecitve, I'm a federally employed nurse. I do not make equal (and in some cases less!) than my private sector counterparts in this area.
My husband and I are both federal employees. I'm sort of confused what it will mean for us. Is it just COLA or is it any sort of raise at all? I'm supposed to go up to higher GS levels for the next few years so I wonder if this will cut that off.
@MissAsB: That's what I'm unsure of, as well. If it's COLA, then I won't be as upset as it is GS levels, too. I want to be paid for what I am actually worth!
Most companies are cutting back on raises and doing salary freezes. It only makes sense that government employees get dragged into this, but i do realize it's way sucky. But you certainly aren't the only ones.
My company's doing the same stuff and i'm not thrilled (the government's our customer so you know what they say about it flowing downsteam, lol), but it seems to be how everybody is rolling in this economy unfortunately.
I'm just waiting for the day they take paid holidays away from us =(
The last job I had froze increases (the alternative was to close some schools, it was a daycare). I was hired on a month before the freeze went into effect, when I left over 2 years later I still hadnt recieved an increase. Sometimes no matter how sucky things seem they have to be done.
Oh boy, this is gonna be sticky.
Government should stay in line with the private sector on things like this. I'm a state employee, also making far less than what I could make elsewhere, and haven't received a pay raise in 2 years. Sucks but hey, it's a recession.
I’m a private sector employee and haven’t gotten a raise (including a COLA increase) for 3 years now. I also used to receive a yearly bonus which was approx. $5k-7k, and that has been slashed as well.
I think it sucks for federal employees, of course, but I’m not surprised to see it proposed.
@helenberrycrunch: I agree with you. Some articles are saying that gov't employees are way overpaid but I'm completely the opposite. I'm making a lot less than I was in the public sector (and I have more education now).
I will be a federal employee starting next August, so I'm not a fan if it affects the GS levels. The pay raises is one of the selling points of working for the government. I'm going to be a lawyer, so I could make a lot more in the private sector, but the government offers stability, decent pay but pretty good after you've been there a few years, room for growth, and good benefits.
I'm not a huge fan, but that has more to do with what I perceive to be the motives behind the proposal than anything else.
Honestly, it's not the best solution or the only one, but I think it's definitely a start. It's not just the federal government...LOTS of companies are taking this same approach, even when the companies are showing profit. I don't see it as penalizing federal employees...the economy is tough for EVERYONE.
I think it's a start. Basically, the private sector has been in this situation for several years, so I think the government needs to start making cuts as well. I personally hadn't gotten a raise in three years, benefits were reduced and then was laid off in the summer. Whatever job I find at this point is definitely not going to pay anywhere near as well given the state of the economy.
Unfortunately, the economic situation is forcing sacrifices on everyone.
it's just COLA!
while i'm a federal employee, i don't think suspending COLA is a bad idea. it's not much money and definitely something i can go without.
for anyone who says government workers are overpaid, that's only a small segment of the workforce. a lot of us could be making a lot more money in the private sector, but we stay in the government because we like its mission.
@kitzy: So it is for sure just COLA? If so, that's great!
@MissAsB: yep! read the washington post article.
i was in tears all morning thinking it applied to GS increases too.
I think it's a start...
I work for a private company and we've had freezes on our raises and bonuses for the past 2 years.
Frankly, it makes me sick to see how much some federal and state employees make. For example, in my area, there has been a lot on the news recently about how much overtime police officers make. Many of them are making over $250k a year and automatically earn raises each year.
I'm not saying this is true about all federal/state employees but I think we can all agree that the government needs to cut spending somewhere and this is a start.
@kitzy:"if they took away my GS increases though, i would be looking for a new job."
This. I could be making more, and having a 15 minute commute instead of a 1.25 hour one if I move to the private sector.
I chose my job because I loved my internship there and I love working with at a veterans hospital.
i think its a start. if the rest of the country is facing pay cuts and decreased employer paid benefits, so should public sector employees. it really irritates me to think that government employees are getting raises funded by taxpayer dollars when some of those tax payers have taken significant pay cuts or have not had COLA increases themselves.
Not all private companies are created equally, either. And it's worth noting that some private sector layoffs and paycuts are artificial. Companies have figured out how to do more with fewer people and are consequently slashing salaries and exporting jobs whils hoarding extra cash. No, the economy isn't great - but a big chunk of the problem is the refusal of companies beholden to shareholders to compromise on profits by employing more people or paying them better wages (which would, in turn, increase their spending power). Instead, they continue to pad their own wallets and those of shareholders at the expense of workers.
The government will save approx. $2 billion by freezing federal wages. That's a fraction of the revenue that could be generated by raising corporate tax rates.
My salary was frozen (thankfully not anymore) and it just makes financial sense right now. Also, public employees may make less than private sector workers but everyone knows that going in. Most people make a conscious choice to take a public job for the improved job security and benefits.
I think it is a start. I also think that Federal employees should be under the same restrictions as the private sector. My FI hasn't had a raise in since the economy went bust. Every thing else has gone up except wages. And it is making it harder and harder to make ends meet. Maybe if wages were frozen for everyone, the costs of goods would go down to make up for it.
i'm not excatly a fan of this. i'm active duty military and even though i know it says it won't apply to military, i have a feeling it eventually will apply to us, too. but, the civilians we work deserve decent pay, too.
Ummm, just curious... what is COLA? Whatever it is, it's making me thirsty. LOL
I think it's totally silly. I voted for Obama but this is such a worthless measure -- 5 billion on a debt that is somewhere in the trillions, right? That's nothing. If we really want to get rid of our debt, we'd go back in time and not get involved in two wars and have really awful economic policies. Oh wait. :)
@ribbons: Right. This a certainly case of a bandaid to cover a bullet hole.
Right now the proposal is COLA, but I also fear that it will affect GS. I came in to the govt with expectation of my GS increase within 2 years because of my FCIP. But...I mean, let's be honest, most fed employees are political punching bags. Regardless....I kinda expected that they would eliminate COLA for a while, just based on rumors.
As a semi long term contractor (1.5 years so far) I will never get a raise. I think yes. this is an necessary evil. If I can do it then so can you.
I think it's one of those things, like ending earmarks, that sounds good to a lot of voters but does little to nothing to solve the budget issues in this country. I'm not really all that upset about it, because as others have mentioned, private sector jobs have seen similar things (and the CPI has been pretty low, so COLA raises haven't been high anyway), but what I am upset about is that nobody is willing to admit that the reason we are in so much debt is the programs that neither party will cut (or raising taxes which will also get people thrown out of office).
That would suck for us... we're active duty. Well his is, I just deal with the repercussions of him never being here. But, I guess fair is fair. Everyone is suffering as far as jobs/money is concerned right now.
I feel your pain and have to say, it's about time. I'm a state employee and make less than I could in the private sector. I also haven't had a raise (COLA or otherwise) in at least 2 years. Some agencies (not mine) have done furloughs, causing those employees to basically take a pay cut.
My feeling on the whole thing is that no one should go to work for the government for the money. It should be more about the job you do for the people you serve.
I think it could help, but I also think there are other places we could cut $60 billion in the national budget.
@jamiemichelle: It doesn't effect military government workers, only civilian federal workers.
Our company has not had salary increase, raises, or bonuses for the past three years and have also been on a hiring freeze. During the past couple of yrs we have only had one person look for another job because of this. I think it is just accepted as the way the economy is and everyone just wants to have a job at the end of the day. Since the private sector has been doing this since 2007, I guess it's not a shock to see the government participate in these practices as well.
@helenberrycrunch: mreow? I'm a Fed civilian and didn't get anything yet...
Honestly, I think its about time something like this is done. The private companies have been cutting costs and raises for years, its about damn time the government does the same thing.
I wish something like this would trickle down to local government. Where I live, the dumbass mayor inforced a wheel tax to "save government jobs." Well mister mayor, I just lost my job at a private bussiness, what are you going to do to help me??? Needless to say, I didn't buy the sticker for my car. I'm a rebel. :)
@SuperBrook:I feel your pain and have to say, it's about time. I'm a state employee and make less than I could in the private sector. I also haven't had a raise (COLA or otherwise) in at least 2 years. Some agencies (not mine) have done furloughs, causing those employees to basically take a pay cut.
Ditto from this state employee - I was already furloughed twice in the last two years AND haven't gotten a raise in at least that long. I just assumed federal employees were under the same strain.
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| MissBoPeep | 89 |
| beargoose | 54 |
| hisgoosiegirl | 51 |
| Mrs.KMM | 46 |
| ndreighton | 42 |
| BetterSherm | 42 |
| akp0702 | 41 |
| stardustintheeyes | 36 |
| Beckster329 | 36 |
| MrsPom | 35 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| PurpleUnicorn | 12 |
| hisgoosiegirl | 7 |
| Mrs.KMM | 5 |
| MrsWrangler | 4 |
| MrsPom | 4 |
 Wonderwoman217 |
3 |
| Ellegee | 3 |
| MrsDibs | 2 |
| ladyartichoke | 2 |
| Macintosh | 1 |
