Quote Originally Posted by anthonykay View Post
I'm with Travs on this one. With my expertise, I could have gone into the oil industry, civil engineering, etc and earned a lot more, but would have had less security in case of a downturn in such a sector than I do in academia (although my security in academia has gone out the window, but that's another story).

I remember a professor of Maths at Sheffield University (who worked in areas of maths with industrial applications; and note: "professor" is top grade within a department) telling me that his 31-year-old daughter was earning more than he did, and his younger daughter soon would be. I think they worked in finance or insurance or something similar.

I was recently contacted by one of my former students, now working as an actuary; a 2015 graduate, but I suspect he may already be earning more than I am. I'm not complaining: I have had a satisfying career, I have certainly earned enough to live on and, just to upset Oracle, I will have a Defined Benefit pension.

At the lower end of the pay range, I'm sure WP's observations are true; I think the difference between the top and the bottom is much greater in the private than the public sector. How much more would the £100k public sector manager be earning in the private sector?
I've never really understood the public sector bashing that goes on. I come from a family who are all public sector workers-Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists, teachers etc. My wife's side too. It never crossed my mind to do anything else growing up. After 20 years nursing I hit the top of my pay scale £40k. The only way to go higher is to go into management-tried that and hated it. I went the other way and went part time and opened a BnB. Everyone knows that there are pros and cons for both public and private. I chose job security, good holidays and a good pension.I could have worked in the private sector as a nurse earning much more doing agency work. We all make choices. None of my colleagues are furloughed or working from home. I do agree that all furloughed workers, public or private should be on the same. I know several people who are lovingbthe furlough and have no intention of going back to work unless they're made to.