Re: Support for Mid-career Federal Hires

What type of culture shock? It's been ages since I worked in the private sector and I don't remember much about it.

Re: Support for Mid-career Federal Hires

I am 58 years old and came to this agency 18 months ago after having worked in healthcare administration for more than 25 years. Part of my rationale for seeking employment here was insulation from the turmoil of downsizings, mergers, acquisitions and layoffs that I experienced in a very dynamic industry sector. However, this has been a monumental culture shock for me due to rampant mediocrity and unprofessionalism. Most of my colleagues have been here for decades and many know nothing else other than working for the government. Management is abysmal and I have no doubt that many of my coworkers would find it difficult to survive in the private sector where expectations are higher and commensurate rewards based on performance. I have sat through a number of awards ceremonies here where every single individual gets an award supposedly for performance when everyone knows that they are mostly undeserved and become intrinsically devalued. It is depressing to consider my future here.

Re: Retiring Govt Workforce

To the SSA Attorney - a 44-year old person today would have been born in the 1963-64 time frame; the baby boom is generally defined as ending in the mid-60's, making the 44-year olds among the youngest, but still considered baby boomers.

Re: The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

Why would anyone want to share anything with someone with a rotten attitude like yours let alone their hard gained knowledge? It appears from your comment that you would write it off anyway. If you won't learn from the past you are doomed to repeat it (e.g. Merit Pay= NSPS except with union busting thrown in). The synonym for retirement eligible is volunteer, still standing and fighting the good fight because it does matter not because they want to scrabble in the dirt for the few nickles and dimes PfP may offer. Hey TSM, I think I know who you meant.

Re: The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

LMER - Oh, how wrong you are. I spoke from experience. I have always been and will always be a hard-worker; giving 100% plus. Having had the benefit of being a Federal Worker and Reservist, I developed traits that will remain with me forever. Even with the obstacles placed before me, I have always kept moving forward. I am harder on myself than anyone else. I look out for the team, and constantly seek out training that will enhance my professional development as well as my personal development. I've experienced this twice, and for whatever reason these older workers were bitter. When you work with someone that constantly tells you I don't know or look it up yourself, and they've been around 20-30 years and after the Department Head told them to train you, what conclusion am I suppose to come to? But, I will never screw myself or blemish my good standing just because they won't share. I find the answers myself and I share what I've learned. So, like I said, "let them go!"

Re: The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

Hey Mr. DON,

Ever hear of "age discrimination?" Where I work we share all information and knowledge with new employees hoping they stay so our workload decreases. Do they stay? No! As soon as they hit a GS-12 in a few years they fly out of here. So us "old folks" keep carrying all the heavy contracts and train more new people. It happens over and over again. All I see is value is placed on recruiting, no retention, and no value is placed on those with knowledge. We are nothing but work horses. Maybe that's why the knowledgable folks you work with don't share any more. It's a vicious cycle...

Re: The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

I've been a Fed for years, plus a couple of stints in the private sector, and I agree with DON. We have lots of folks here who do not/will not share information. Guess the premise is "Knowledge is Power" and in order for me to have more Power, I will share less Knowledge. Goes with the back-biting (in order for me to be Bigger, I must make you Smaller). It's vicious, but I came back because the federal benefits package is the best - a guaranteed pension and 401(k) that offers a match, health insurance I can carry into retirement, etc. I'll stay for the duration, but I'm counting the years until I'm outta here. Wish the top layer would retire, but then I think that the devil I know (those at the top now) may be infinitely preferable to the devil I don't.

Re: The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

I agree with Buzzy, in part. I too have known people who didn't share during my 28+ years of government service. I learned as much as I could, and shared with almost anyone. I got the certifications and, a couple of years ago earned the BS that I began in 1965. At that point I was in a position where the only accounting that I did was a few Excel spreadsheets. I changed offices, hoping to use my extensive experience and background, only to find out that nobody really cared about that. They were more concerned about making the DFAS Director look good, because he was a political appointee. I am trying to find another position, but am not about to demean myself, by kissing someone's backside. I am not a political person, and don't play those games. I won't lie for them. I am eligible to retire later this year, and am seriously considering it. Either before fiscal year end, or the last pay period, January 3, 2009. And the worst part is, because I am CSRS, no Social Security.

Re: The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

I have always been free with job knowledge. I figured that if the other guy did it well then MY job would be easier.

However, with NSPS and all this needing to look better than your (what used to be teammate but this system is definitely against teamwork!) in order to get a better raise, will I find it is better to let another wallow and then come to the rescue so that *I* look good?

I don't like that idea. But, I see that happening already with those around here who have been sucked into NSPS already.

Re: The coming depopulation

Amen! I know I'm not being utilized to my agency's best advantage or to my fullest potential. I've been in this dead end job for 10 years.