12 Thoughts Regarding Incompetent Federal Employees
While it would be nice if federal employees always work in jobs suited to their talents, the author shares wisdom for the situations when this doesn’t happen.
Author: Robbie Kunreuther
The Good and the Bad Union Representative
What defines a “good” or “effective” labor organization and its leadership?
The Myth of Consistency
Should two employees with different work histories, attitudes, and behaviors receive the same discipline for the same offense?
Who Says We Have Unacceptable Performers?
The author says that there are too many managers who believe it’s impossible to rid the government of unacceptable performers, but that a recent report from the GAO shows otherwise. He outlines some reasons why managers tend to freeze when addressing problem employees as well as some suggestions for ways to better deal with these types of situations.
Clear the Table!
The author discusses the “table of penalties” often used by HR departments in agencies and explains why he believes it is no longer needed.
It’s Time to Wake up and Call Back
Which is worse for a Federal agency to have, a bad employee or a bad supervisor? No doubt, the government would rather have neither, but the author says the effects of inept, biased, or malevolent leaders are among the greatest risks to your agency’s mission.
Who Decides? Due Process May Be Due For A Redo
Fewer than 3% of the EEO cases were litigated are lost by agencies. The EEOC tried to put a spin on this disturbing statistic by noting that more than one-fourth of cases are settled and “Many of these resolutions contained favorable outcomes for the complainant, including monetary and non-monetary benefits.”
Reconfiguring Discipline: Memos, Meetings and Money
The author offers suggestions for dealing with employee behavior issues.
The Uniquely Unionized National Guard
National Guard Technicians are, with a few exceptions in every state, members of an “excepted service”. While that term applies to many categories of Feds, Title 32 is unique to the Guard and reserves. The author offers some details on what this means.
An Open Letter to OPM Director Nominee Katherine Archuleta
The author offers his suggestions for Katherine Archuleta, the president’s nominee for OPM Director, and invites FedSmith.com users to share their suggestions as well.
