Just stop. There are lots of people in the agency who aren't front line. Workers in the field, TSCs and hearing component are subject to ever increasing metrics, given advances in tech. But an outdated organizational structure being updated is somehow sinister?
The agency can no longer justify this many components, 10 regions for every component, and area offices between the field and region in operations. That may be uncomfortable, but it's not just front line employees who should be accountable for their time and salary.
It’s pretty obvious what he did. The fact that he only had a demotion lined up for the person who tried to stop him is shamefully telling. In a normal reorg, it is planned out with reassignments for everyone. Nice of him to dump so much unexpected work on SSA’s HR too. Not like they didn’t have other things to tend to.
3:52 - So if you want to justify this, I urge you to consider it from a different perspective. If you were promoted to the ACOSS position because you willfully bullied executives and took action that were outside the scope of your job (his assertion, not mine), does it make sense that one of the early actions you take - in your first week in an ACTING role - is to dissolve the very team that you came from? One thing I learned is that if the optics of something aren't good, one should look for another option. This didn't have to be one of his actions in the first week. Geez - he's saying that the group he came from, where he happily put in his time and pulled out a paycheck - isn't very valuable. But ethics aren't his strong point. Lee doesn't care. He isn't qualified to be a CR, let alone the ACOSS.
@3:52 I'd love to hear how removing regions isn't going to multiply delays by the same factor. I guess we should expect fee petition approvals or appeals to be resolved in 7-8 years, rather than 6 months. Unless the plan is to increase headcount in some sortof centralized region office, which means no savings regardless.
Lots of federal agencies manage with fewer than 10 regional offices. People in region will either work as hard as front line employees, or seek other opportunities or retirement not at work.
7:35 - I'm curious what your insight is as to what RO staff do. I suspect you have little to no idea. I'm not here to school you, but I bet you really don't know. Lots of federal agencies don't serve nearly as many people as SSA does. Lots of federal agencies don't have forward-facing presence in the community. So disingenuous to assert that RO or HQ folks don't work hard, and frankly, it's kind of sad. The FO jobs are tough, for sure. The RO/HQ jobs are different, but important. But we'll find that out more when there is no one available to support the field in a timely manner. Perhaps you'll get your wish and you can start negotiating contracts, resolving 218 coverage issues, addressing LMR challenges, deep-diving into representative payee misuse cases, or ensuring that your retirement actions are completed timely. Be careful what you wish for....
Read the actual press lease. The “breaking” headline suggests mass firings are happening. This is a realignment. Seems like everyone is bent on maximizing paranoia and hysteria.
Have you read any other headlines lately? Mass firing are happening at virtually every other federal agency, so I would say the paranoia is justified. Also, just yesterday they gave 41 SSA probationary employees 8 HOURS to accept reassignment or be fired. What is the point of forcing people to reply in that crazy short timeline? The OBM director is on record stating he wants to "traumatize" federal workers, so the hysteria is absolutely justified and intended.
No, this was him settling a score. He got rid of the office that he came from. The one where people tried to stop his unethical behavior. He demoted the head of that office and he didn’t have any positions lined up for the other executives that he is moving around. Not to mention, it’s pretty odd for an acting commissioner to come in and demolish an office so quickly. It’s not like the nominee won’t be confirmed so any reorg should have been left to the incoming commissioner. The acting guy wanted to do this himself though to punish the people who called him out.
@4:58 Meh, seems pretty accurate. It's actually wild either how many vacancies there are, and the rare few that remain are serving in an acting capacity.
Pigeons. Meet Cat.
ReplyDeleteLooks like window dressing to cover for the corrupt and illegal termination of OARO’s DC.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it illegal? 100% legal to move her. She has appeal rights but it’s legal.
DeleteOAO is now part of OHO too.
ReplyDeleteBacklash from the ACOSS as he was in OARO/OPI before his termination. Don't you just love MAGA revenge.
ReplyDeleteJust stop. There are lots of people in the agency who aren't front line. Workers in the field, TSCs and hearing component are subject to ever increasing metrics, given advances in tech. But an outdated organizational structure being updated is somehow sinister?
DeleteThe agency can no longer justify this many components, 10 regions for every component, and area offices between the field and region in operations. That may be uncomfortable, but it's not just front line employees who should be accountable for their time and salary.
It’s pretty obvious what he did. The fact that he only had a demotion lined up for the person who tried to stop him is shamefully telling. In a normal reorg, it is planned out with reassignments for everyone. Nice of him to dump so much unexpected work on SSA’s HR too. Not like they didn’t have other things to tend to.
Delete3:52 - So if you want to justify this, I urge you to consider it from a different perspective. If you were promoted to the ACOSS position because you willfully bullied executives and took action that were outside the scope of your job (his assertion, not mine), does it make sense that one of the early actions you take - in your first week in an ACTING role - is to dissolve the very team that you came from? One thing I learned is that if the optics of something aren't good, one should look for another option. This didn't have to be one of his actions in the first week. Geez - he's saying that the group he came from, where he happily put in his time and pulled out a paycheck - isn't very valuable. But ethics aren't his strong point. Lee doesn't care. He isn't qualified to be a CR, let alone the ACOSS.
Deletedivide et impera everything old is new again.
ReplyDelete@3:52 I'd love to hear how removing regions isn't going to multiply delays by the same factor. I guess we should expect fee petition approvals or appeals to be resolved in 7-8 years, rather than 6 months. Unless the plan is to increase headcount in some sortof centralized region office, which means no savings regardless.
ReplyDeleteLots of federal agencies manage with fewer than 10 regional offices. People in region will either work as hard as front line employees, or seek other opportunities or retirement not at work.
Delete7:35 - I'm curious what your insight is as to what RO staff do. I suspect you have little to no idea. I'm not here to school you, but I bet you really don't know. Lots of federal agencies don't serve nearly as many people as SSA does. Lots of federal agencies don't have forward-facing presence in the community. So disingenuous to assert that RO or HQ folks don't work hard, and frankly, it's kind of sad. The FO jobs are tough, for sure. The RO/HQ jobs are different, but important. But we'll find that out more when there is no one available to support the field in a timely manner. Perhaps you'll get your wish and you can start negotiating contracts, resolving 218 coverage issues, addressing LMR challenges, deep-diving into representative payee misuse cases, or ensuring that your retirement actions are completed timely. Be careful what you wish for....
DeleteRead the actual press lease. The “breaking” headline suggests mass firings are happening. This is a realignment. Seems like everyone is bent on maximizing paranoia and hysteria.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any other headlines lately? Mass firing are happening at virtually every other federal agency, so I would say the paranoia is justified. Also, just yesterday they gave 41 SSA probationary employees 8 HOURS to accept reassignment or be fired. What is the point of forcing people to reply in that crazy short timeline? The OBM director is on record stating he wants to "traumatize" federal workers, so the hysteria is absolutely justified and intended.
DeleteAgree but are firings happening with this specific realignment? If not, there is no reason to create that false impression.
DeleteNo, this was him settling a score. He got rid of the office that he came from. The one where people tried to stop his unethical behavior. He demoted the head of that office and he didn’t have any positions lined up for the other executives that he is moving around. Not to mention, it’s pretty odd for an acting commissioner to come in and demolish an office so quickly. It’s not like the nominee won’t be confirmed so any reorg should have been left to the incoming commissioner. The acting guy wanted to do this himself though to punish the people who called him out.
Delete@4:58 Meh, seems pretty accurate. It's actually wild either how many vacancies there are, and the rare few that remain are serving in an acting capacity.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ssa.gov/org/agencyOrg.htm