Case of Change

Those of us looking for a career change can cross two more options off our lists: #1 seeded women’s tennis player, and postal worker. Now obviously isn’t a good time to complain to your mail carrier about your service even if you have been getting an increasing amount of mail that doesn’t belong to you.

How does one go from being a "disgruntled" employee to a psychotic killer? The latest incidents of violence point to the need for reform in all levels of government. The atmosphere that exists between the public and private sectors is combative and non-productive.

Mistrust and cynicism goes far beyond elected officials- down to anyone who is employed by a governmental agency.

"When you take away a person’s motivation to improve, chances are they won’t even try."

These are stressful, no win jobs where there is a woeful lack of any substantial job satisfaction.

There are two sides to the reform needed. The first would be to cut back services. People complain about having to pay too many taxes, cut through too much red tape and yet complain when the government doesn’t have the resources to hold their hands through every day problems. By cutting back services and reducing regulations, people will either begin to see the need for certain roles of the government or the wasteful spending in areas of government will be streamlined.

Another possible solution should be to create more incentive for public servants. When you take away a person’s motivation to improve, chances are they won’t even try.

Right now I am expected to answer an average of 35 calls per hour, it is how I am evaluated. That I do close to 43 calls per hour gets me nothing other than an "exceeds expectations" on my performance review. There is no reason for me to do extra work other than I’ve been taught to do the best job I can.

Promotions are generally based on seniority. Self-motivation usually isn’t enough to attract the best possible workers. So while it is true that the average government employee is paid at a better rate than their private sector counterpart, the opportunities to move on to higher positions are too often blocked. The chances for frustration and "burn out" are much too high.

Thus the work environment in many areas of government is not a pleasant one. When you add the stress of an increasingly hostile public, it’s no wonder some people snap. Some people feel because you are a faceless part of a maligned institution, they are free to act rude, and take out their frustrations on you whether you are trying to help them with their problem or not. Confrontations occur on a much too frequent basis. It creates a situation where you either take it out on your customers, your co-workers, yourself or you go home and kick the cat.

Yet it has been my experience working for the state that the majority of employees are hard working and decent people. It is the system that needs to change.