GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Agencies urged to pitch job flexibilities to attract applicants of all ages

• 50319
  

  careful what you ask/wish for they are saying "WORK Schedules" not attendance schedules

  Dan ketter Posted May 8, 2008 4:18 PM
• 50022
  

  This article hits the nail on the head! The Department of Energy is experiencing a mass exodus of employees with years of experience and knowledge not attainable at any Unversity. DOE has outstanding Flex-Time and Flexiplace programs that benefit the workers as well as the Agency. This is due in large part to the Union successfully negotiating their inclusion in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, as a Union Official, I spend countless hours "reminding" managers of the law and the negotiated CBA upon which these programs are based.

  Unfortunately, there will always be a few "managers" who, through a lack of knowledge or an overabundance of hostility toward their staff members, specialize in spreading disinformation. A recent example is the high-level manager who introduced his "support" for flexible scheduling and off-site work with the following:

  "I'm personally not against Flex-Time and Flexiplace but I sure do long for the good old days when everyone worked 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday." So how many of his employees do you think signed up for these programs? To make it even worse, this manager is in charge of the Information Technology (IT) office for the Department! His presentation was focused on the need to have technology in place at DOE to ensure the government keeps functioning even if employees are ordered to NOT report to the job site due to a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or a pandemic flu event. Many of his employees went away from the meeting shaking their heads - "We're supposed to make sure IT infrastructure is in place for Flex-Time and Flexiplace but he doesn't want us to participate."

  Now that's sad!

  Department officials are wringing their hands asking how to retain experienced employees and how to attract and retain new talent. Try supporting Flex-Time and Flexiplace instead of undermining it.

  Barry Clark Posted May 5, 2008 2:08 PM
• 50011
  

  The root of the issue is deeper than implementing flexibility. There seems to be a philosophical undercurrent in many organizations that equates youth with the answers to fix DoD problems. We should learn to respect those who have many years in service. We should be introspective and really question our hiring and retension practices.

  Bernie Simmons Posted May 5, 2008 12:42 PM
• 49953
  

  The problem is that the agencies want "one size fits all" announcements--even when the hiring office doesn't offer some of the benefits. I work for an Inspector General's office. Our agents can't telecommute, and due to our extremely tight budget, we don't offer student loan repayment. We are in a location different than our HQ, and unlike that building, our location does not have a fitness center. Yet, every one of our job announcements sells all of these as benefits of working for our office. At this point, to put the best spin on it, we are misleading candidates with promises of benefits that don't really exist. Our agency's HR Department refuses to take these benefits out of our notices because they are "benefits of working for the agency" if not the actual job for which the applicant is applying! How long do we think these workers are going to stay with us once they find out they have been misled?

  Deb Schweikert Posted May 5, 2008 7:46 AM
• 49931
  

  Currently the Commanding General is discussing taking the workforce off the flexible schedule (5-4-9) and placing it on a straight 8 hr day. Entirely backwards approach to the OPM inititives. No one seems to know why he has proposed this, but we should know by next week the outcome of the meetings with the unions. I believe, if changed to a straight 8 hour day, the rate of sick leave usage will go up, the motivation to "go the extra mile" will recede, and many older people will look very closely at retirement. This may be part of a plan to reduce the workforce; if it is, then he is using a very nasty way of demotivating the current workforce.

  Harry Palmer Posted May 4, 2008 12:09 AM
• 49910
  

  I'm hoping all these experts have other things to do to earn their paycheck. If these are full time positions looks like some thrifting is in order

  dan m ketter Posted May 2, 2008 10:15 PM
• 49893
  

  I would hope that the federal government isn't a model for any business in the private sector. It would be a quick route to ruin. Why do these "experts" think that they can fix the image of the government by stirring the cesspool with a toothpick?

  The federal government needs to stop, reset and emulate successful businesses. Young people want opportunities to work their way up the ladder and be successful. It was same way twenty-five years ago and OPM kept promising the incoming people things that never happened. The promises turned into a bunch of excuses. The government doesn't keep its word, PERIOD. No one is held accountable, PERIOD. It hasn't changed, PERIOD.

  People are connected by the Internet now and they know what goes own. You'd have to be a fool to accept a job without checking the credentials of a prospective employer. How's your credentials OPM?

  Robert Posted May 2, 2008 1:53 PM