|Dumping more work on the best worker happens in many environments. It is a perverse consequence, and in the short term it may seem wise to work below your capacity and not draw too much attention. I think the private sector provides better incentives, however, to recognize and compensate talent. Public salaries are often fixed to a scale, but private salaries are often raised based on performance. And when a high-performing but under-recognized employee like WanderingEng switches jobs, the losing company pays a price in lost revenue and market share, feedback that is less common in the public sector.

Agreed. I have been finding myself concentrating on doing the basics of my job really well, and cutting out the "above and beyond" actions (calling more parents after hours) and scaling back to conserve my resources, while at the same time keeping my eye open to sweeter deals elsewhere (as a grade 6-8 math teacher), my position is in demand. I currrently work in a wealthy county, Oakland County, Michigan. My school district recieves the second lowest per-pupil foundation allowance in the county. We are spread thin for resources and serve students that come from very low socio-economic status (school performance is a low priority in the lives of many). I won't be surprised to be offered an opportunity to jump ship and work in a more affluent school district in the remaining six plus years of my career. Public Education, where unlimited demands meets limited resources. Other than that, I really do enjoy what I do much of the time.

The Upside, I work in a place in which I feel needed.