Quote Originally Posted by Oracle View Post

The choice should have been be furloughed on 80 percent pay up to 30000( like everyone else in private sector), or go back to work. Take your pick. Payment is supposed to be for work. Too much of the public sector is at home on full pay.
You would appear to be far more knowledgeable than me on this subject... but i see it like this... you have a choice... private or public sector... public sector generally brings a lower salary, but benefits in the way of great pensions, and as we are seeing now, a degree of protection provided by the government/state/unions.

"We" choose to work in the private sector, and have the opportunity to be rewarded well based on merit with generally better salary prospects, but (much like the self-employed and business owners), we are liable to fall on our sword if the economy struggles.

I interviewed (and subsequently turned down a job offer) from one of the huge water providers in this company... was basically told that if i was in any way competent it was a job for life, fairly stress-free, and great pension. But i chose a similar role within a private sector company as the salary was almost 50% higher.

I'm not saying it's right that the teachers appear to have such a degree of protection, but that's the plus side of being in the public sector...