Women in Government Jobs
Nicole Allen notes that working women have a strong affinity for government jobs even though they generally pay less than equivalent private jobs and she wonders why. The main observation I have from my years in government is that women with children really, really like the set work hours of the civil service. It's very important for them to know that if they get off at 5:00 they can walk out the door at 5:00. That's a luxury that few people in the private sector have and explained to me why women who could have been law firm partners were happy to be GS-15's at the Treasury Department. They made a lot less money, but they knew they would be home at a precise hour and not be on call at all hours for some crisis or stressed-out client. And career-wise it was a lot better than being a stay at home mom. At least they stay connected and involved in their fields and, no doubt, made some of the lost income up at the back-end when their children were grown and they could consider a private sector career if they wanted one.
Other possible reason
I think your observation is spot on; however, I think there are at least two other reasons why some women prefer working for the government over working for a private employer.
First, I think the government’s family and medical leave policies are far more generous and accommodating than anything one might find in the corporate world. I base this observation, in part, on the experiences of one my wife’s friends and her husband. About five years ago, the aforementioned couple’s daughter became very ill with a rare form of cancer that required frequent and lengthy stays at a distant research hospital. The wife, some sort of compliance officer with the IRS, had no problems arranging the necessary time off. The husband, on the other hand, had to more or less beg for time off to be with his daughter, and although the company denied it was because of his requesting time off, he was shown the door at the first available opportunity.
Additionally, I think the government is often more likely to hire people with non-standard education and work backgrounds. I know one of our neighbors decided to go back to college after her children had left home, and even though she graduated at the top of her class, she was unable to find a private sector job. One potential employer actually told her he didn’t think she would fit in with the other new hires because she was old enough to be their mother. Eventually, she found a position with the state insurance commission.
Response
I think your first point is definitely correct. As far as the second point, I didn't see it in the federal government, but it may be true at the state and local level.
Second point
I've actually experienced this first hand in the federal government when I was job hunting last year. The private sector definately looked sideways at my age (52) while it was not a problem for federal agencies and I was able to land a position much sooner than I expected. Also, the private sector interviewers assumed I would have no interest in taking a mid career level job with the possibility of moving up and were sceptical of why I might be willing to "take a step backwards" when I "have so little time left". My new federal boss assumed the opposite, hired me as a GS-11 and sees no reason why I should not make the SL levels before I retire.
Finally, the image of underpaid government workers is somewhat mythical. They may not make 7 or even high 6 figures but frankly, neither do most private sector workers. An SL can make close to $200K in the right fields and $175K is common for SLs. Maybe peanuts by Wall Street standards but enough to live comfortably in most areas.
Pay
Speaking of pay for government employees, it appears Chief Justice Roberts has abandoned his effort to draw attention to the fact that the federal judiciary is woefully underpaid. I didn’t quite understand the vociferous criticism of his efforts that emanated from the right side of the political spectrum, but then I don’t understand much of the nonsense coming from the right nowadays.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying working for the government should be a route to riches. And honestly, I don’t think anyone goes into government work expecting to become rich. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean—as Justice Roberts pointed out—the government shouldn’t try to attract the best talent.