i've been working in government since 2004.
work load - sa PR division kasi ko ever since so i can say mabigat din ang work load kasi i'm working with the media, a 24/7 industry.
compensation - it really depends on the position and its corresponding salary grade. implemented na ngayon yung new salary scheme which is given in 4 tranches, so every year may increase kami until we reach the 4th tranche which is the actual amount approved by law. so i'll be receiving around 31k (gross) in 2012 and onwards. mabagal man ang increase pero somehow i manage, but i'm currently single so di ko alam if this will suffice pag nagka-pamilya nako.
environment - corruption and politics, i say pareho naman meron nyan sa govt at private. pero ako iniiwasan ko magwork dun sa mga "notorious" agencies (sorry kung may matamaan) para din for peace of mind. yung backer system oo existing yan pero ako rin nakapasok sa sariling sikap. there are safeguards in place, yung appointments kelangan dumaan sa CSC at sila ang sumusuri kung sumusunod sa qualifications yung new hire o hindi. pag hindi, disapproved ang appointment and considered void.
regarding the CS exam, i dont agree na mahirap sya. IMO depende yan sa educational background mo. CS exam is just like a college entrance exam. i don't agree it's tougher than the bar dahil lang mababa ang passing rate (10-12% annual ave.) IMO if all bar examinees would take the CS exam (as in sila lang) we might get almost 100% passing rate. so my point is nasa educ background talaga sya. and of course as with any other exam, kelangan din magprepare. honestly when i took the exam di ako nagreview. so yung mga tanong about Phil Constitution, etc., di ko alam ang sagot. i passed with 85% and i was dissatisfied, i think i would have done better kung nagreview man lang ako ng konti.