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Return to Article: Generation Gap

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  People need to be aware that federal jobs ARE NOT SECURE.

  I worked 20.5 years for the FAA, and was RIFFED when Lockheed Martin took over Flight Service.

  I heard every speech about RIF rights, but the FAA hired thousands of college students for ATC jobs during the time when we were supposed to have Priority for jobs. I even filed an EEO complaint, but the FAA EEO only took the position that they had nothing to do with us, so I lost that case.

  There are no RIF rights, and federal jobs are not secure.

  George Tuominen Posted March 6, 2008 12:26 AM
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  IRT: "This is a tragedy, looks like we will have more of the same. People who spend there whole life thinking that the taxpayer owes them a living, shirking responsibility and accountability. The only hope is to shrink the size of the beast to minimize the harm to society" - you are absoulutely right... your reference to the military you live and haven't died for is great... now let's start with YOUR Army pension (paycheck).

  Ketter Krusher Posted February 26, 2008 11:17 AM
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  Tipsy/Queen , no its just when some tee's it I just swing away and usually hit 350 yds right down the middle. That's a golf metafor for you tipsy...

  dan ketter Posted February 22, 2008 3:12 PM
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  It would be nice if people would stop generlizing.

  DLX Posted February 22, 2008 12:08 PM
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  Would be nice to recognize that most of the Government workers are serving their country and its citizens. Job security, health benefits, and reasonable pay are sought from most employers. Generalization of Government employees as lazy, shiftless, and wanting a handout from taxpayers is patently unfair and grossly inappropriate.

  Chuck Foster Posted February 22, 2008 7:17 AM
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  When I went to work with the federal government nearly 33 years ago, I wanted the job because I had a family to support, and needed the benefits like good affordable health insurance, life insurance, sick and annual leave.

  Now I am so glad I took the job. I had tried the private sector, and opportunies were sparse even then. I'm thinking about retirement in the near future amd I have no regrets about my choice. It has provided for my family, and continually challenged my mind.

  I have always tried my best to do my job and to be a good steward of the public that supports our efforts.

  Many of the new recruits that work at my agency seem to have a hard time coming to work, spend more time gossiping than working, and think their positions are always going to be there. We'll see about that last point.

  But wait, as I describe this sterotype (which is what the general public LOVES to hear), I also see some young people, who are doing their very best to do a good job, and who take the service to the public very seriously.

  Bottom line: There have always been both good and bad employees. It isn't about age, it isn't about the generation, it just is.

  Susan D Posted February 21, 2008 9:07 PM
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  Dan - Nothing in the article supports your statement about "People . . . spend there (sic) whole life (sic) thinking that the taxpayer owes them (sic) a living, . . . ." Those who value security are more likely to put their best effort into their work, in order to maintain that security. Those who don't care if they lose the job or not are the ones most likely to be unreliable. If you don't think so, work for a while in a place where they hire mostly kids still supported by their parents.

  Queen of Flunkies Posted February 21, 2008 6:17 PM
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  Skeeter, I swear you MUST be an Avatar of Avarice or an Agent Provocateur.

  Your statement, in its usual eloquence, is the anti-thesis of the article's intent.

  Did you not read the story? Or could you just not resist an indiscriminate swipe?

  Tip off Posted February 21, 2008 4:30 PM
• 44053
  

  My fellow commenters have it right -- this survey says absolutely nothing about the broader labor market; all it does is confirm that the Federal employment model still appeals primarily to people who value security and benefits above other things. The question to ask in considering changes to pay and benefits is: are these still the kind of people we really want? Will this employment model help or hurt in the quest for improved governmental performance?

  Skepticus Posted February 21, 2008 4:29 PM
• 44035
  

  This is a tragedy, looks like we will have more of the same. People who spend there whole life thinking that the taxpayer owes them a living, shirking responsibility and accountability. The only hope is to shrink the size of the beast to minimize the harm to society

  dan ketter Posted February 21, 2008 12:23 PM
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  This shows that those who seek federal employment would tend to have similar needs, particularly security needs, across generations, and that they would stay because they would "fit" in. But just attracting a segment of the population based on security issues not only skews the diversity of the workforce, but may not be deliverable given the history of the last 30 years of chipping away at the civil service system and benefits towards a contractor based and market based system.

  Ed Posted February 21, 2008 11:19 AM
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  The MSPB study in question based its findings on a survey of recently hired Federal employees. As was pointed out therein, the respondents reflected characteristics that many other studies have also shown, i.e., that public service employment tends to attract individuals who are far more motivated by job security concerns in particular than the general population. To that extent, the similarity in views to those of past generations of Federal employees is readily understandable. "Mavericks" and those with a high tolerance for risk-taking and dislike for hierarchical organizational structures tend to look elsewhere for employment than government, unless it's as an "employer of last resort." In this regard, things haven't significantly changed over the years.

  jeremiah Posted February 21, 2008 9:06 AM