Even more depressing, most of the public workers that have come in under me (a public worker lol) have been keen, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Then they get their ideas stolen or worse supressed because efficiency doesn't suit a manager (or union) with 30 staff if the ideas result in only needing 15 staff slightly higher paid. Hard work and innovation is sucked out of them. Very sad.
I keep chirpy with the idea that my main job is to now do the best for my staff under whatever circumstances. Bonus if someone actually listens to me about anything else. (Violins lol)
But hey, where I grew up, and looking at the jobs or lack of them a lot of my mates do I've got it cushy. I earned it by working at my education and I'll not apologize for that but it doesn't make it less of cushy number for me the average bloke lol.