Colorado politicians are considering a 4 day work week for state employees which I assume is due to higher gas prices? ARE WE NUTS! It used to be when you took a state or municipal job the pay was lower in comparison to the private sector so employees were attracted with good benefits and job “security”. That was long ago but let’s look at today.
First off, the pay is as good if not better for government employees than the private sector, benefits are much better than the private sector, and last; do you know what it takes to fire a government employee? An act of congress and ratification by 3/5th of the state legislators, a majority of union bosses, and the blessing from the pope.
Today a state government employee can “retire” after twenty years, collect 75% of their former pay, get rehired by the same agency, at the former pay scale while collecting their retirement. It is called “double dipping”. For many that start out at the trough young enough, they can “triple dip”. Retiring twice, working for another government agency while collecting two other pay checks. Admittedly this is harder to do but it is not as uncommon as you think.
Meanwhile we slugs in the private sector that pay for this abuse can’t touch our 401K even if we have enough in it to retire until at least 55 without a HUGE penalty. So why can state government employees be paid retirement benefits at the age of forty? A quick caveat here: Federal employees are not eligible with the exception of the military which is OK. I also work with some fine government IT folks that have our best interest at heart but the state system is broke.
A recent story about a water district worker pointed out that the head of that department was collecting $180K retirement check while being paid a $252,000 salary at the same position she retired from! But don't fret, she wasn't getting health benifits. They were taken care of under her retirement benefit. Oh! OK that makes me feel better. In Florida it has been documented that there are 131 triple dippers, and more than 1200 double dippers. All this while being guaranteed a job no matter what your performance.
So I ask; a four day work week for state government employees? Suck it up and pump the gas just like we do. I work for a company based in the UK and their stance on this is; how do we justify a 4 day work week in the US while our European colleagues pay $7 a gallon for gas?
More importantly we need to reduce the government workforce tenfold at all levels of government. The state and fed workers are always crying about their underfunding and job “losses”. Welcome to the real world where nobody is guaranteed anything except their freedom, and even that is under assault. So I say no to a 4 day work week benefit. And I don’t want to hear how it will “save “the state money by closing facilities, reducing electric bills, etc… Bull. If you want to save money, try firing some of the deadwood or repetitive job functions first. There is plenty of that to target. And if they don’t like it, I’m sure there will be plenty of workers chomping at the bit to get a shot at the double, triple dip scam that is going on. Just a thought…
True knowledge of American history is necessary to insure the future of the America we love… This is an important time in our country's history. We must be wise and measured as we choose our leaders going forward.
5 comments:
Only have time to breeze through this on my government lunch 1/2 hour. I agree with much of what you have documented here; I must check into this retiring at 40 and/or after only 20 years of service. I wonder if that is a state thing? Otherwise, federally speaking, I need to find out about this, since, I in fact, am barely over 40 and do have 20 years w/the federal government. Consider this: the deadwood which you speak of and are right about not being able to fire w/o an act of congress -- are these the folks you want managing your healthcare? I think not. Visualize the DMV's we have all been to. Multiply that by a significant percentage and imagine the ugliness. Now, your discussion of 4 - 10 hour days...well, I'll have to get back to you on that. How do you feel about government employees telecomuting? Just a thought??? :)
Sheri: Thanks for the comment. I think virtual employees are dependent on the position. It works well for some but not others. I speak with many government managers and directors in my role, and it is common for them to have to manage around problem employees and inefficient processes. The problem is the lack of market forces in government. So many good people avoid government due to the lack of urgency or accountability. That is a tragedy in my view. There are many, many excellent government employees trying to make a difference but the best way in my opinion to improve government is to reduce the need and role of government.
Looks like you are settling in well in Atlanta! Love to all...
Hey Rich -- can you please pass along where you found the information about gov't employees retiring after 20 years and collecting retirement at age 40? The only ones I am aware of are military and possibly state employees like police, fire, etc. I hate to sound like a typical government employee, but if I am missing out on some benefits, I want to know about it (sounds like a joke, but I have to say that I think of myself as a non-DMV type of government employee) :)
Sheri: You will have to wait like the rest of us. This is a state phenom that is finally getting the light of day. You can only count on job security. No early retirement for you! 55 and 20 years. Sorry if my post got your hopes up...
wow, so, you're allowed to make blanket statements that are wholly incorrect and there's no repercussion. except, of course, to the integrity and reputations of state/government employees. i guess, who cares if everyone hates them for no real reason, right. it makes you feel better to degrade them and tell others they have benefits they don't really have, just to make yourself feel better. i guess that's how private sector does it.
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