Poor Justice Department lawyers. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found that they did not deserve overtime pay.
The lawyers say they were expected to work more than 40 hours per week but were not paid for it. The horror!
Lawyers at the Department of Justice do very well. Those with four or more years of experience start at $107,521 in Washington. They also receive fantastic benefits by private sector standards, including 13 days of sick leave that can accumulate indefinitely, excellent health care, retirement plans and up to 26 days of vacation per year, depending on length of service. Did we mention flex-time schedules that allow them to work four days a week if they put in 40 hours in those four days?
Most would agree that the judges made the right decision when they said that overtime pay must have been approved in advance.
More importantly, what happened to the idea of public service? If the Justice lawyers care so much about money why did they not instead choose to work at a private firm ?where they could expect to work 80 or more hours every week, earn a commensurate salary and fight for the chance to make partner ? or not.
Any of these professionals also are free to hang out their own shingles and make it on their own in the real world.
The agency lawyers say they will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. We think they should accept the decision and get back to work. And if any taxpayer money has been used to pay for their lawyers, the full amount should be returned to the U.S. Treasury.
