What they think of us......

I am compelled to write about our public perception and describe in detail my viewpoints on being on the "other side".

We are not all lazy and bitter. We all do not have a bad attitude and waste "tax payers dollars". Not all of us.

A lot of us are hard workers, have good work ethics and a lot of us are educated and articulate. Not everyone you come across at DMV, the courthouse, or the post office is an idiot.

We try hard to do our job and do it well. BUT...there are obstacles that get in our way. These obstacles bring about a negative public image.

Lets talk about a few of these, shall we?

1. Budget. Without funding, we cannot efficiently staff our offices. EFFECTIVELY, yes. Efficiently, no. The difference? Effective is a "band aid". Webster's Dictionary defines effective as: producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect. That desired effect may be staying open until 3pm instead of 5pm in order for staff to catch up on work because of attrition or the closing of a department or laying off of employees. Remember, that is our desired effect based on what we have. The public forgets the success of government, state and city agencies are dependent of the budget. Currently, my office is running at a 25% staff reduction due to mandatory furloughs on Fridays because of the budget.

2. Reputation of a government/state/city employee. If the citizens continue to perpetuate the stereotypes of these workers, the stereotype will always remain a big part of the culture...and accepted as the norm. Don't let one bad worker's attitude or work ethic ruin it for the bunch. Again, we are not all lazy idiots. Work toward changing the sterotype not just criticizing it.

3. Bureaucracy and Red Tape. Everything must get approved before it can be implemented. There are so many complex and rigid procedures that impede effective action that it makes my head spin. Everyone must be copied in and then we must have a meeting to discuss. Then there are the follow up meetings. And more follow up meetings. Finally a decision is made. Finally. That is the world we live in. Yeah, there needs to be more autonomy, trust and empowerment in the workplace to make this happen. It will take a lot-----and I mean a LOT--of change in protocol and management style to make this happen.

4. You are not our customers. Yes, it is different for you in the private industry. You have customers and you have to keep them to survive. But, remember, we do not sell or produce a product. In essence, we do not have customers. We do not make any money. We do not have a bottom line. We cater to the citizens of the community. They seek us for assistance and information and services. It's not that we do not have to be nice to you or provide substandard service. I am merely stating that we are employed by the city/state/government. You, essentially, are our boss. You, alone, can make the change on the way things are handled by voicing your opinion, filing a complaint, writing your mayor, congressman or governor. Yes, that may be extreme, but again change can only happen if action occurs.

...and for the record, this blog was created during my lunch hour.

The center of a Tootsie Pop

So, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? I ask myself that as I write, yet again, another long winded email to various parties and departments.

I guess it bothers me that I have to go through all these channels to get something done. Why must I have to go to the head-honcho to ask for something to be implemented, reviewed, discussed, etc (you get the picture)?? Why can't I just email or contact the line supervisor and make the request? If the manager does not know the answer, wont he/she just ask the supervisor to make the decision based on his/her expertise?

And, to make things worse, there are managers and supervisors who comment on their name and its order in the email. Heaven forbid you put someone in the "CC:" list and not on the regular "To:" part of the email.

All these layers just to get to an answer.

Isnt the real issue here just power and entitlement? ...or is it insecurity and the need to feel important? OR, am I simply just being really bitchy for having to do somthing that I know could be done by simply asking an individual but know if I dont follow procedure or protocol then I would be up that creek without a paddle or on someones black list?

So how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

One...Two....Three...
I am used to following the rules.

My favorite essay

Here is something that I have tacked to my cubicle.
It is a philosophy that the public sector should adopt...

People don't want to be managed.
They want to be led.
Whoever heard of a world manager?
World leader, yes.
Education leader.
Political leader.
Scout leader.
Community leader.
Labor leader.
Business leader.
They lead.
They don't manage.
The carrot always wins over the stick.
Ask your horse.
You can lead your horse to water,
but you can't manage him to drink.
If you want to manage somebody,
manage yourself.
Do that well
and you'll be ready to
stop managing.
And start
leading.

'nuff said.

Perception or Reality?

If a group of managers are going out to lunch, do you think that the employees in-house know what time that they leave?...and come back?

Don't you think that the employees keep tabs on management the same way that management keeps tabs on them?

The reality is that everyone is watching and everyone knows.

It is not just employee perception or managers perception. It is not even "us" vs. "them". It is about boundaries and consequences. And, also a little bit of game playing.

That's reality.

Making Progress

With new employees in our midst, it was good to know that they were properly welcomed into the workplace.

Hooray for the supervisor that took the initiative to provide the personalized orientation. I think that it really makes a difference having the supervisor provide clear expectations and fill them with guidelines and goals to work toward.

Good job making the newbies feel important and making them feel valued and welcomed.

Thats what the public sector employee needs: Vision. Hope. Direction.