Budget problems

Even though we are faced with a shortage of funds due to the budget, at least we know that our funds are not used to give managers a ridiculous raise. That is the good thing about the public sector. It is reassuring to know that we do not blow our money on "golden parachutes" or bonuses like that of the private sector.

Here is an example of a company that I used to work for and how it is doing its employees wrong:

In 2003, while United Airlines Pilots were furloughed, took paycuts of over 30%, gave up vacation, retirement and medical benefits, and agreed to work rule concessions and changes (all to help United Airlines and their careers):
-Glenn Tilton received an increase of over 100% in salary
-Doug Hakcer received a $60,000 per year salary raise and a $2 million bankruptcy exit payout
-Jake Brace received a $20,000 per year salary raise and a bonus of $232,500
-Pete McDonald received a $140,000 per year salary raise and a bonus of $226,500
-Paul Lovejoy, in his first year as an executive at United, received a bonus of $212,500.

And just when we thought that the grass was greener on the other side....

One last thought....

One last thing to think about ....

Meetings.

You know them.
You have been to them.
You dread them.

But how essential are they?

In the private sector, the meetings that we had made a difference. We had goals, we had agendas and we had results. Afterall, time is money.

In the public sector, meetings are held to gain consensus. A lot times, no real decisions are made. Since we have no bottom line, the meetings are usually about projects, rules, regulations, policies or anything pertaining to it. It is almost never about money (with the exception of how to save due to the budget crisis here). And, the meetings always last for hours.

These meetings allow me to see the viewpoints of those in charge. For me that is essential. It gives me an idea as to where the direction of the organization is going. But besides my selfish intentions, I sometimes think that the meetings held in my twisted world of the public sector are meaningless.

Sometimes I think that they are held just to look important to the members of the organization. When meetings are held, the organization will talk, wonder and gossip as to what is going on. Meetings may also make the members feel important and have a sense of belonging. You really shouldn't have to feel important, though. You should know that what you do is important and makes a difference. A hard working leader, a leader that supports you, a leader that values and considers your opinion, is what is needed. That is what gives you respect. And, isn't that better than looking good to the organization?

It's really not the meetings themselves that bother me, I guess. Maybe it's the content and length of the meeting. Meetings for new policies and how to implement them - Yes. Meetings to discuss an employee - No. Meetings to brainstorm and forecast - Yes. Meetings to discuss employee morale - No.

Why have a meeting if there is no ultimate goal. Isn't it really then just a "bitch session"? I say NO to meetings for employee morale because the problem will NEVER be solved unless the employees are involved to discuss what makes them unhappy. What should they be afraid of? The worst that the employee can say is that they do not like you, the job or working here, right? What do you say to that? --- Answer: What can we do to make it better?

Just my thought for the evening.

Punished

Is it right to be "punished" for doing a good job?

If I am an employee and I work efficiently and effectively, should I have to do other duties and tasks (outside of my work detail) just because I am finished with all of my work? Is it fair that just because I am finished with all of my work, and even some of tomorrows work, that I should be given more work to do just to pass the time?

Let's think about that....

For doing my job efficiently, I am now doing more work than my counterparts. Is this reallly fair? Just because I can do my job expeditiously, I now have to help other departments that are behind in their work.

So now I help others who are behind in their work. Will the people or person that I am helping, resent me for assisting them in their job? Will they resent me or consider me a "kiss ass"?

Why is it that I am always done with my job and many others are not?

An easy solution would be to take my sweet time and stretch my day. Isn't this what everyone else does? ...or is everyone just inefficient?

I think that I am being punished.
I am being punished for doing my job well.
I am being punished for being stupid and letting everyone know that I am done.

I should know better, right. After all, I have been working for the public sector for 5yrs...

Didn't I say that it usually takes about a year for an employee to turn into the stereotypical worker? What happened to me?