It is difficult for people to fully understand the nature and importance of the work done by the public sector. Accordingly, public sector workers are regularly devalued, and considered to be an “expense.”

Why do people feel this way?

In the case of educators, one reason is that the work of public sector employees yields long-term results. Profits are not measured quarterly. A well-educated population is a long-term investment, and it leads to long-term stability and prosperity. Because the results of our work may not be immediately profitable, it is tempting to look at the expense of the investment. This is easy to do, because all public sector salaries are part of the public record. If private sector salaries were published, we might be having a different conversation about resources, investment and merit. Private sector salaries are definitely higher, especially when you factor in the levels of advanced training and expertise.

In viewing public sector salaries, human psychology comes into play. When you look at someone’s salary, you inevitably compare it with your own. When you see someone’s salary, but you do not see that person’s contribution to the organization, community, or state, it is easy to make unfair judgments.

And it becomes easy to talk about public workers as an “expense.”