01-07-2008, 02:38 PM
Maengelito Wrote:i think the problem here is that we're all in pretty much the same demographic (young males, most of us being single) and have different priorities than your average cross section of the workforce. as a govt employee, you see several people who are RIP (retired in place) and basically show up and get a paycheck. there are several go-getters that try to get a lot of stuff done and flirt with the idea of working for govt contractors or have already come from working for govt contractors. we all get COLA (cost of living adjustment) which is basically decided each year by congress. of the 5+ years i've been working here, its been between 1.3% to 3.1% but usually somewhere in the middle. its like clockwork every first payperiod of the calendar year though. for journeymen, our raises come every year and is pretty significant. i've more than doubled my starting salary in 4 years, but as soon as you reach a competitive level, then its based on merit. there's a lot of beauracracy here though which has me pretty jaded and not expecting a non-COLA raise anytime soon. i honestly dont think it would make a difference if i wrote a report every week or wrote one for the year, i think i'm considered as middle of the road.
unfortunately I agree - however, the 4.49% COLA this year makes work that much more enjoyable