A hostile work invironment? How is that possible? VA union submits report to McDonald alleging 'hostile work environment'

2015-07-25T08:50:25-04:00

After a several-month internal review, Preston sent McDonald a 39-page report on Thursday, detailing accounts from hundreds of VA workers who shared stories of dysfunction and insensitivity by their superiors.

If the report were a "perverse 'how-to' book," Preston wrote in an email to McDonald, it would be a "guide to terrible management for the purpose of systematically destroying the ability of the United States government to function effectively."

Preston declined to give a copy of the report to The Washington Post. He said he wanted to give McDonald time to read it and respond first.

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/va-union-submits-report-to-mcdonald-alleging-hostile-work-environment-1.359677

VA union submits report to McDonald alleging 'hostile work environment'

If this report were a "perverse 'how-to' book," a Washington VA workers' union chief wrote, it would be a "guide to terrible management for the purpose of systematically destroying the ability of the United States government to function effectively."

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 25 at 2015 8:58 AM

2015-07-25T08:58:45-04:00

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. Jan this doesn't surprise me one bit. Now we get to wait and see how long it will take them to do something about it.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 25 at 2015 9:00 AM

2015-07-25T09:00:12-04:00

So VA workers feel that "Morale is very low," one union source said. "It creates a very hostile work environment; people can't do their work.". THAT'S TOO BAD! Maybe VA employees should have PRIOR SERVICE as a caveat to VA employment. Then they would know what a "...hostile work environment..." was.

That said, as the 39 page document cites that a lot of Management should be fired, may facilitate less dysfunction and POOR working conditions instead of hostile...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 25 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-07-25T09:59:03-04:00

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. Signs of a significantly entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change... They will now use the government union personal protections to cover their A$$ than help veterans!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 10:01 AM

2015-07-25T10:01:21-04:00

Well looks like status quo at the VA. Why is it so friggen hard to fix the VA? Ridiculous!

Response by TSgt Robert Schultz made Jul 25 at 2015 2:45 PM

2015-07-25T14:45:17-04:00

Look at the VA this way people.... I am a Retired NCO and current VA employee for the past (12) years. The VA is the same as the Military system MINUS NCOs ! That and there is very, very little Leadership Training for front-line Supervisors. You can not lead if you do not know HOW to lead. People are placed in Supervisory positions and expected to lead by their instincts. There is a massive divide between the SES level management and front-line workers. This is why you have very little accountability. Every single Veteran/VA employee I talk with ALL SAY THE SAME THING! The VA is fundamentally messed up. This is the message that you all need to get out there! Get Congress and the VA Top Management to institute more quality Leadership Training programs for their front-line Supervisors and make it MANDATORY ! GET THIS MESSAGE OUT THERE ! PLEASE !!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 29 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-07-29T23:00:12-04:00

I don't see how the morale at the VA could be low when they have enjoyed bonuses from false wait lists and no one is going to jail. I really don't like the VA right now. They don't have accountability with much.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jul 30 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-07-30T14:24:49-04:00

Hostile? Wait until Congress passes this new accountability law. I'm concerned that it will not fix the problem, just sweep them under the carpet. Giving VA leadership the authority to fire at will may cause many who would have spoken up about failures to keep quiet. VA Leadership is adept at removing people upon trumped up charges. VA leadership controls the HR department and that staff does their bidding. As a Service Chief, there were many, many times I sent over disciplinary proposals to HR, only to have them sit on them so long as to create what they refer to as "stale" charges. However, let one of the senior leaders tell HR that they want someone removed, and the proposals are prepared and issued almost immediately and frequently.

I don't particularly like TSgt Robert Schultz's assessment, but agree with him. VA just like maybe most other government agencies are throwing these new employees to the wolves and not providing them the tools needed to fend themselves.