The federal workforce: Abandon all hope, ye who work here

Whenever the topic is the federal workplace, one thing always leads to another.

Two months ago, blogger Steve Kelman wrote a post about some Harvard graduates and their thoughts about public service. That led one reader, signing himself Joe, to suggest that most top-flight job candidates are not likely to stick around once they scope out the primitive work environment and bureaucratic politics.

When the FCW Insider blogged about Joe’s comment, we received a slew of new comments from other readers, most of whom shared their own horror stories, which we collected for an article in our June 14 issue. That, in turn, triggered another wave of missives.

Granted, a few readers took exception to the negative tone of the article, but even they found it difficult to sign off without noting their frustrations. Here is another sampling of what readers have to say. (Comments have been edited for length, clarity and style.)

No Respect (1)

The irony is that Congress dumped billions of dollars with little or no oversight to bail out banks but doesn't trust a contracting officer to decide if a $551,000 contract should be sole-source or not.
— Anonymous

No Respect (2)

In spite of constant attempts to reform the system, rewards usually go to well-connected, shameless self-promoters and political appointees. Each successive administration mistrusts and even punishes career civil servants for doing their best to carry out the wishes of the previous leadership and brings in top officials whose qualifications may have much more to do with their fundraising ability than their knowledge of the job in which they are placed.
— Stuck in the Middle (Washington)

Blame the Boss

I've been a federal employee for more than 30 years and have to agree with some comments I've seen here about dead weight. But part of the problem is that so much of the dead weight is lodged in middle management. And even middle managers who would like to do better are often stymied by the latest harebrained edict from above.
— Anon E Mouse

When I was hired three years ago through the Student Career Experience Program, I got the song and dance about how they wanted to innovate and change things for the better. That only seems to happen where it won't have as much consequence or argument with the upper echelons of management. Otherwise, it is all marching in lockstep with whatever someone has decided…will be done, whether or not it works right or at all.
— Anonymous

Tick, Tick, Tick

The only way to change the environment is to create a steady stream of new blood. Change the retirement system to 20 years and out. Only let employees stay longer by exception.
— Anonymous

Hope Is on the Way?

I have been with government for 20-plus years, and I have seen it change and evolve during that time but never as much as I have in the past five years. And I would like to think IT has been a major catalyst toward change. With the government workforce getting older and so many nearing eligibility for retirement, the opportunity for change and being able to effect change is greater now than it has been for those who want to make a difference and are considering a position in public service.
— Anonymous