Government Employees Like Their Job Perks Way More Than Private Sector Workers

Government workers are much more satisfied with their workplace perks than their private sector counterparts, according to a new poll.

A Gallup survey found happiness with retirement packages represented the largest disparity between public and private sector workers. More than eight in 10 government employees were completely or somewhat satisfied with their retirement plans, compared to 57 percent of nongovernment workers. That finding is perhaps not surprising, as public sector employees generally receive defined-benefit pensions, while private industry has largely phased out pensions in favor of defined-contribution investment options.

Gallup found a similar spread in satisfaction with health insurance benefits, with 80 percent of government respondents approving of the benefit and 57 percent of nongovernment respondents saying the same.

The survey found another large gap in satisfaction with vacation time. More than nine in 10 of government employees thought they received enough paid time off, compared to less than three-quarters of private sector employees.

“Government workers may also get guaranteed vacation of two to four weeks,” Gallup said of its findings, “or summers off for public school teachers, and likely all federal holidays.”

On issues other than traditional benefits, the public-private gap was minimal, and in some areas nongovernment workers were happier with their jobs. Overall, public-sector employees were most satisfied with their relations with coworkers, the survey found. Ninety-six percent of government respondents said they were happy with who they worked with, and 93 percent of private sector workers agreed. More than nine in 10 of both groups also said they were satisfied with the physical safety conditions of their workplaces.

Government employees were slightly more satisfied than their private sector counterparts with their bosses, job security, chances for promotion and the amount of work required of them. About seven in 10 in both groups were satisfied with their pay.

Public sector workers said they felt more stressed out on the job, with marginally more nongovernment respondents -- two-thirds -- saying they were satisfied with their on-the-job stress levels. Private sector employees were similarly more content with the recognition they received for their work accomplishments.

The poll results were based on telephone interviews with 2,949 randomly selected employed adults from 2011-2015 Work and Education surveys, conducted each August. The margin of error was 2 percent. 

(Image via Minerva Studio / Shutterstock.com)