Wage watchers: how much does an adviser in the Flemish government earn?

Adviser Lars Hegemann, 40, from Kessel-Lo talks about what he earns and how he spends it

What do you do for a living?

I work at the Flemish government’s department of administrative affairs . We support the minister, Geert Bourgeois , on administrative matters . We support the various Flemish institutions in HR, e-government and ICT  matters. I work in the ‘processing and information’ department : we help optimise the running of the government. We’re also in  charge of a unique and comprehensive ICT policy within the Flemish government. My job involves the processing of information from the Flemish government’s databases and use it to come up with monitoring dashboards . These are used as support throughout the decision-making process.  The information our department makes available is also regularly used by the minister to give answers to parliamentary questions .

Do you enjoy your work?

Yes ! I work in a stimulating environment because what happens in the news has an immediate impact on my work . When the minister urgently needs certain information , all other work must be put on hold. It is important for me to serve the public interest. Moreover, I come in contact with many people within the Flemish government , and I enjoy juggling with figures and giving them meaning through analysis.

What do you think of your salary?

I take home €2,530 (+ lunch vouchers, hospital insurance and childcare during school holidays) – I think it’is competitive . The government is a good employer . Beside the enjoyable nature of the job, the good wages and the fringe benefits , we also enjoy flexible working hours, we can work from home, there are opportunities for growth and for exchange programmes with the private sector or with other institutions .

How many hours do you work per week?

I work 38 hours a week . But occasionally I do overtime – when there is an urgent parliamentary question, for example, or when we have a deadline the delivery of a monitoring dashboard .

Would you look elsewhere if the money was better?

I wouldn’t change jobs just for a higher salary. The job itself should also be interesting.

Do you save?

Yes , I try to put something aside every month - as much as possible.

What does the biggest chunk of your salary go towards?

My mortgage and the renovation of my house .

What will you gladly pay good money for?

To go on a journey with the children, my social life, the renovation of my house to high standards and music (I make electronic dance music ).

Do you have any dreams ?

I would like sail around the world with my children for three years. And I love to make people dance, both as a live techno artist and as a musician in a Brazilian samba group; my musical activities are currently on hold but I would like to take them up again in the near future.

(mr)