> If you work in the private sector, where the primary reason for existing is to make a profit, your job directly or indirectly contributes to that goal. I wor

> If you work in the private sector, where the primary reason for existing is to make a profit, your job directly or indirectly contributes to that goal. I work in the private sector. I meet many people whose contribution to profit is, at best, indeterminable. The primary reason for existing in the private sector is whatever the directors decide it is. That need only align with profit-making to the extent required to keep the company afloat. Not only are directors not necessarily single-mindedly committed to profit above all else, even when they are they aren't omniscient. One way pointless jobs could come about is because directors are just wrong about how much manpower a project requires. Another way pointless jobs arise is empire building. I think anyone who has worked in a company with more than a few managers has encountered employees who exist solely for the purpose of bolstering a manager's team. Perhaps the manager straight-up doesn't care about the interests of the company and just wants the largest team. Or, perhaps they're forced to hire N people even if they don't need them lest they lose budget for when they do need N people.