mowotlarx OP t1_iz6fenq wrote
Reply to comment by Square_Rabbit65 in NYC comptroller says Adams has ‘exacerbated’ widespread city worker vacancies by mowotlarx
The irony is that despite the Mayor obviously trying to reduce headcount on purpose, he's simultaneously promising agency plans to promise higher productivity and new programs. But there's nobody to run the programs or hit those numbers. You can't cut city offices and then demand massive speed improvements and more services to the public. They lost massive amounts of institutional knowledge that ran those programs. Public services, especially social services, will suffer. He just refuses to acknowledge that.
Square_Rabbit65 t1_iz6gbzg wrote
Unfortunately that's called politics my friend, and a large reason as to why I left.
mowotlarx OP t1_iz6gxc2 wrote
Oh, I know. I. Know.
Which is why I'll always regret Kathryn Garcia not winning. Electeds don't understand how the city works (truly, many of them have no idea how anything works) and often treat staff with contempt. She actually had experience as a real city agency staffer who understood what works and what doesn't. Eric Adams and perpetual elected officials use city workers as pawns, they don't really care about how things work or whether things break when they're term limited out.
Square_Rabbit65 t1_iz6jgai wrote
You're on the right track there.
Having worked for both the legislative and executive branches of government I can attest to the fact that most elected officials have no idea what's going on at a macro scale.
Once confronted with the complexity of intergovernmental affairs and policy issues they realize their campaign promises probably aren't as realistic as they thought them to be.
mowotlarx OP t1_iz6ww1g wrote
>Once confronted with the complexity of intergovernmental affairs
...They pass a local law requiring a Task Force and the creation of a new agency/department that is supposed to wrangle information from every agency that inevitably does a bad job because it's staffed by people who themselves also don't understand how the city works. It's a tale as old as time.
arrogant_ambassador t1_iz6ji2n wrote
Do you see any future for those of us employed with the city who aren’t looking to leave?
Square_Rabbit65 t1_iz6l2ie wrote
If you are comfortable with mediocrity then yes. But if you have higher aspirations I would recommend looking elsewhere.
The City does not care about you. It does not care about your financial well being, your mental health or your life and priorities outside of work.
All of which would be better off by leaving City service for other government entities, non-profits or the private sector.
sanjsrik t1_iz6ybic wrote
Non profits that pay executives really well and the average worker shit you mean?
arrogant_ambassador t1_iz6lyfe wrote
The thing is I feel like I’d be trading up a low workload and benefits and security for a private org that’ll care equally little about me.
supermechace t1_izjfcsz wrote
Most corporations are made up of people who also worked their way up so they more likely to care to varying degrees about employee satisfaction. If pay is too low and doesn't adjust, you're also facing being affected by toxic culture and skill atrophy. In addition I don't know what NYC rules are on unpaid overtime, if you get into that situation you're basically working for free. The only situation I can see that would work is if you're disabled or physically unhealthy to work most jobs, if you can get a union desk job it might be tough for the city to fire you.
supermechace t1_izjg2m7 wrote
It sounds like NYC jobs would be ideal if you have health issues. If the pay is too low and doesn't rise much it's worst than having to bounce around companies. Also job skill atrophy and danger of adopting toxic culture as a norm. Most companies aren't the stereotypical founder/owner driven fiefdoms, they're staffed by people who also know what's it like to be an employee and care about employee satisfaction to a degree.
arrogant_ambassador t1_iz8eyu3 wrote
Curious to hear your thoughts - what makes the non government entities superior?
Square_Rabbit65 t1_izb2dx3 wrote
Adaptability.
Government entities are usually much slower to adapt. Because there are few metrics one can use to analyze the "productivity" of a government org, its difficult to highlight successes and failures. And even then those are subject to misrepresentation by campaigns, media etc.
Thus, governments become a breeding ground for career bureaucrats who continuously pull the levers of power in the wrong direction. You cant get rid of them because they are either elected and aren't going anywhere for the next 2-4 years or they are appointed govt officials (commissioners, directors etc) and are covered by collective bargaining agreements so they aren't getting fired.
arrogant_ambassador t1_izb2yo7 wrote
I understand that issue, but how does directly affect me?
Square_Rabbit65 t1_izbjmac wrote
The effect that a dysfunctional organization has on its employees is similar to the impact a dysfunctional family has on its children.
arrogant_ambassador t1_izbkr41 wrote
And you haven’t found that in other sectors? You seem very knowledgeable and I’m just trying to weigh my options.
supermechace t1_izj89zn wrote
I've never worked in govt but the op's descriptions sound similar to family owned(or majority share) companies Ive worked for. In addition to being stingy with pay and employee career training, it was a toxic environment. Many companies have toxic environments also but a decent company will adjust or at least recognize the balance of keeping employees happy and productive or at least the pay and experience is market rate. Below average pay and experience will hurt you longer term than a stable job in a low pay and toxic environment where leadership is unaccountable
arrogant_ambassador t1_izj9mp3 wrote
I’m trying to make sense of your last sentence - are you advocating for or against government work?
supermechace t1_izji1at wrote
In terms of working for NYC gov, against unless you have no other options. I wouldn't be surprised if Adams started outsourcing govt jobs, as increasing employee attrition ignoring morale while increasing pursuit of pet projects is usually a pretext to outsource jobs
arrogant_ambassador t1_izjkmtw wrote
Thank you for offering up your thoughts. It’s definitely something I will take into consideration as I begin to look for work again.
supermechace t1_izjlx9q wrote
I've been helping some people out with advice. Basically despite the drop in stock and real estate values, they still represent the only investment paths for financial security in retirement. But to invest you need spare finances. It sounds like city pay is so low that you may wind up broke or in debt by the time your pensions kick in at retirement.maybe it's ok if your spouse gets a city job while your job is the main income. In addition health care benefits are a big target for the city to cut costs. But outside of your finances, it's important to build up your skill set whether it's training or classes. Try to find a job that has the best balance between work your passionate about and your financial goals. Recognize the market is pretty cyclic and it appears even govt jobs like NYC is no longer a real safe haven from economic cycles due to politicians not believing in rainy day funds.
supermechace t1_izjgli8 wrote
Sounds like a setup for future outsourcing or subcontracting government operations. "Smaller govt"
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