The Gub'ment worker...

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited July 2008 in The Clubhouse
I've been at this government thing for 26 years, 15 of which were active duty Army. The following observations are drawn exclusively from the civilian side of the house. Sometimes (most times) it's down right embarrassing to be a government employee. Here's the mindset of a typical work week:

Monday: Can't do anything today, it's Monday!

Tuesday: Monday kind of seeps into Tuesday morning--feeling groggy still, and the motivation factor just isn't there. Maybe tommorrow?

Wednesday: AH...there we go. Hump-day. 3 down, two to go. Let me get something started...wait, there'll be plenty of time tommorrow....

Thursday: Light at the end of the tunnel. Donnerstag in German--affectionately known as "warm-up day." Lemme get busy.

FRIDAY: Oh yeah baby. Now everyone in the directorate is waking up. Tons of things to do--all of it "high-priority" of course. This surge of productivity occurs around 2:22pm. Gonna have to request some overtime to get this stuff out the door tonight....

...and so it goes. This is the cycle--embarrassing to anyone with an ounce of work ethic? You bet, but it is what it is---and absolutely no one is interested in changing it. Surprised? I didn't think so....
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited July 2008
    The private sector has a similar attitude. My company goes something like this :

    Monday : Meh, it's Monday, I'll just read some emails and zone out, get warmed up for the week.

    Tuesday : Start SOME work, but like you say, residual Monday hangover.

    Wednesday : Continue anything you started Tuesday, but hesitant to start anything new because the week is already "winding down."

    Thursday : Friday in sight, productivity crashes, no one wants to start anything and be stuck with it over the weekend.

    Friday : Have donuts until almost noon, then lunch, then everyone leaves at 3.


    Office Space was pretty accurate.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited July 2008
    Just another form of Gubment Cheese.

    Trying being a Gubment Contractor where that schedule doesn't apply but you have to constantly work around it.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,605
    edited July 2008
    I must be in the wrong business.
    :mad:
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    God I wish I could do that! I have to get all my billing in on time. Slacking is not an option.
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  • petrym
    petrym Posts: 1,912
    edited July 2008
    The Gub'ment: minimum efficiency at maximum cost.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited July 2008
    Note to self. Start looking into how to get a govmt job!!!!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    Luckily, I'm kind of an isolated island. My warehouse is just me and an assistant so we have our own work ethic thing going on. I like to get things done quickly, then relax, not the other way around. Dealing with unresponsive--but highly reactive people gets on my nerves, and unfortunately is a constant burden. Everything around here is crisis management, and it doesn't need to be; they're just dumber than rocks and have no management or communication skills.

    On a positive note, it is quite easy to soar like an eagle when you work around morons all the time--they think I am "The Man"...shoot, it's called being competent and organized.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Note to self. Start looking into how to get a govmt job!!!!

    Exactly Cathy. If you have a good work ethic, you'll dazzle management. :D

    My wife (also civil service) always says "these people make me feel so smart." LOL!!!!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited July 2008
    Most people, government workers or not, wouldn't have a clue what its like to actually put in a hard days work. Anybody thats in the construction trade or farming/ranching knows what I'm talking about......
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited July 2008
    "Work smarter, not harder"
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,605
    edited July 2008
    MikeC78 wrote: »
    "Work smarter, not harder"


    Tried that. It confused management.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited July 2008
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Tried that. It confused management.

    :DThat's why most of them are in that position.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    My system is very, very efficient--we can cut documents for, and start moving $1.5 million in equipment in 40 minutes, but it's meaningless when project managers don't have their **** together. All of our disposition instructions are dependant on the PM doing their job, and that is where it all falls apart.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Tried that. It confused management.

    EXACTLY. I proposed a change about 8 months ago, which was in accordance with the applicable regulations, that would have allowed us to group all items in an issue under 1 document number (transaction). This would take something that normally would require an hour (or more, depending on how many different items) to complete, and make it a 5 minute proposition, with absolutely no loss in accountability or audit trail. Management got nervous and declined. What the hell, better job security for me. Bone heads. The funny part is, they have no clue about the ins and outs of what they are "declining" to do...:rolleyes:
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited July 2008
    Don't worry, they'll implement the idea behind your back and make it look like thiers.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    Hey that's ok by me--I'm not in it for the glory. I work to live, I don't live to work. I'm an efficiency freak; it's like an obsession with me to do things in the least complicated way, but at the same time capturing all the necessary data. It's like a challenge for me.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited July 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Exactly Cathy. If you have a good work ethic, you'll dazzle management. :D

    My wife (also civil service) always says "these people make me feel so smart." LOL!!!!

    That's true. we are in the same boat. Even though I try to enjoy 3hr lunch at Gym and still need to kill 5 more hours. Which is why I'm enjoying polk forums 24/7. :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    Oh, and by the way...THANK YOU everyone for paying my salary. I thank you, my wife thanks you, and my dog Jake thanks you.

    I'm trying to get the most bang for OUR tax buck, but my fellow workers make it tough. :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited July 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    FRIDAY: Oh yeah baby. Now everyone in the directorate is waking up. Tons of things to do--all of it "high-priority" of course. This surge of productivity occurs around 2:22pm. Gonna have to request some overtime to get this stuff out the door tonight....

    The gov't department I work for doesn't pay overtime. The mentality here is that that work will always be there....so why be efficient? It's not like the gov't has competition and, after all, the taxpayers will pay us whether it's done on time or not.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    We had a freeze on overtime this year for about 9 months due to budget constraints. Normally you can choose between the OT pay or comp time. They limited it to comp time only. You had to show strong justification even for just the comp time.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,605
    edited July 2008
    Well, at least the management doesn't threaten to send your job
    "to a low cost center". Nice way of saying India or other worthless
    3rd world country. That kinda ruins the ol' incentive to work hard.
    The big wheels screw up, then have to cut costs to cover their behinds.
    But I get a lot of "club Polk" time while listening to them babble on
    during conference calls. Latest:A VP left to another company and
    gave them a bunch of "trade secrets". Now all of the worker bees have to
    take a a two hour "protecting trade secrets" course. Kinda like when the
    top four (CEO and thre others) were caught a couple of years ago
    manipulating stock prices. We all had to take "ethics" training.
    I guess if one of them craps on the floor, we'll all be wearing diapers.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited July 2008
    I'm on the civilian side of the fence working with the military, and I can say its pretty cool. Some very nice perks for sure. Being I'm overseas I run the show here, so its even better.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,003
    edited July 2008
    And this is the working part of our government.....imagine how little they do in congress.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • petrym
    petrym Posts: 1,912
    edited July 2008
    Congress sux.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    Don't get me wrong, there are some very good people who know their ****, but they are in the minority. Usually your prior military civilians are the best. It's upper management that has alot of the morons (GS-14's/15's).
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited July 2008
    I know this thread is tongue in cheek and making fun of our gov and our bosses is a national pastime and all that, I myself have questioned decisions made in DC which I refer to as the "puzzle palace" but as one of the GS Manager Morons :

    two weeks ago a civilian federal officer was murdered while doing his job. Two federal inmates were immediately arrested for his murder, they are awaiting trial and will be afforded all the rights they are entitled to.

    His body lies now under the earth, his soul in a better place, his loved ones will go on.

    RT1
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  • mrmusicman
    mrmusicman Posts: 303
    edited July 2008
    Its kinda sad how company's use computers to make their business more efficient and the employees waste so many hours just surfing the net:rolleyes:
    Outlaw 990 Processor
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2008
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    two weeks ago a civilian federal officer was murdered while doing his job. Two federal inmates were immediately arrested for his murder, they are awaiting trial and will be afforded all the rights they are entitled to.

    His body lies now under the earth, his soul in a better place, his loved ones will go on.

    RT1
    I feel for his family and fellow officers who'll have to relive during trial.

    R.I.P.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2008
    mrmusicman wrote: »
    Its kinda sad how company's use computers to make their business more efficient and the employees waste so many hours just surfing the net:rolleyes:

    Nah. What used to take a week (in the days of pencil/paper) can be done in 1 hour now--if anything, efficiency has gone thru the roof. Those poor companies...:rolleyes: Stop, you're breakin' my heart.

    I have a lot of free time because I do my job; I don't procrastinate. And I've developed databases and procedures that make processing equipment a very fast affair.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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