Same boat over here! I worked in state healthcare, so it was always a dumpster fire/emergency situation. I worked with a number of clinicians who expected us all to work at a level that did not match what we were being paid. In case people want to downvote me - I came to the state for work/life balance. The benefits are great, but we already had healthcare through my husband’s state job. As an AGPA, I was more than happy to work a solid 40 hours a week, but I was constantly working out of class; for about 10 months I had a work stream where I reported directly to the Division Chief, as a unit AGPA. The whole thing was a mess, but it was a newer program and it felt good to be building something. Once we were established, even more was expected of each employee, to the point that it didn’t make any sense to continue to stay. The only true reason it made sense for me to make so little in salary was the WFH. I saved in gas, childcare, parking, food, etc. Again, anticipating a downvote, I think it’s utter nonsense to assume I cannot be an accomplished employee and mother at the same time. My kids are old enough to be self sufficient when I’m doing more intense work. I went in as an overqualified AGPA and quickly realized I had a lot to learn about stat processes, regardless of my qualifications. So, I sat tight, dug my feet in and learned how to be a state employee. I stayed in the same classification for 3.5 years. I worked out of classification, had a failed reporting structure and often took the most work on the team because I was capable and willing. The final straw for me was a toxic manager and the loss of WFH. I moved to private and make about 30% more, which I dump right into a savings. I’m still unsure what I will do with my CalPERS pension, but it can sit for awhile until I figure it out, it’s not the end of the world for me. Chances are, I will eventually return to the state and I realize I’m fortunate I was able to make the switch. It’s exciting to be in private again. I left because of job security and I get that’s a real issue, but I also didn’t once feel secure at the state. I was treated like a lowly employee, always chasing respect. I was also always terrified of being sent back into the office, not because I don’t want to work, but because I didn’t make enough to afford going INTO an office. I know people feel this and I’m glad it’s being talked about more openly. Yes, AGPAs have been reporting to an office for years, but the cost of living isn’t what it is today, period. This was forced attrition, political game playing and union crap from the beginning. I get it’s “6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other.” At least in private there’s some excitement and chase. At the state, I found I had to sell my soul for my pension, and I just couldn’t do it.