In my work, perfection is everything. I get no incentives, because it's my job. Should there be incentives for VA employees to do their jobs?

Alan K. — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:48:46 -0500

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 8 at 2017 8:50 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:50:45 -0500

I agree with you. The VA system is operated under a union.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 8 at 2017 8:54 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:54:55 -0500

Hell if I know. Maybe, because they are the Government and are here to help?

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jan 8 at 2017 9:11 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:11:58 -0500

Alan K. I would say that unless your pay for your job depends on your work such as SALES...then anyone hired to do a job should do it to the best of their abilities...and should have quarterly reviews. If they are not up to par in their duties, then it should be documented...this should be their incentive to get the job done correctly or else.

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Jan 8 at 2017 9:34 PM

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:34:48 -0500

To me, my incentive isn't pay, it's pride. It's seeing the smile on someone's face, it's having someone hug me because I remembered that they liked more basil than oregano. It's that kiss on the cheek when their family comes in at the last minute and I say "come on in, of course I've got enough food." THAT'S incentive IMO. It's going above and beyond on a daily basis.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jan 8 at 2017 10:19 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:19:36 -0500

Thanks for the post Alan and I agree 100%.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 8 at 2017 11:46 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 23:46:04 -0500

How about a strict enforcement for standards....only those that make the cut get to stay.....to are we going with the entitlement "everyone gets a trophy" mentality?

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jan 8 at 2017 11:54 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 23:54:27 -0500

Alan K. The incentive should be --if you don't do the job,you don't have a job.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 9 at 2017 12:00 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:35 -0500

That's a loaded question if ever there was one.

You are hired to do a job. DO IT, don't bitch or go find another job. Employees should have periodic reviews once or twice a year. Exemplary performance should be rewarded but bonuses are not the answer in my opinion so far as the VA is concerned.

Bonuses are appropriate in some businesses. However, unless ALL employees share in the bonus, there is no bonuses paid. If one area fails, all areas fail.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2017 12:07 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:07:34 -0500

Performance incentives are fairly common-place in certain types of private sector jobs. These jobs differ from typical VA jobs, since they are civil service, which are almost impossible to get fired. Most incentive-oriented jobs have low base pay with quantifiable goals that earn you more money. And if you don't perform -- you're out (see Glengarry Glenross "coffee is for closers!").

Just as important, there is (or should be) someone monitoring the quality of your work when you get incentives in the.private sector. From what I have read, the lack of supervision is a big factor in VA employees receiving unwarranted performance bonuses.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2017 12:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:57:31 -0500

Yes. At the end of every month, it's called a paycheck.

Response by PVT Ryan P. Quirk made Jan 9 at 2017 3:59 AM

PVT Ryan P. Quirk — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 03:59:06 -0500

Yes, Their incentive is a PAY CHECK.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2017 8:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 08:55:56 -0500

I thought Health Care whether VA or out there in the real world, Doctors and staff were there because they wanted to help people. Granted there are huge monetary benefits to have a job in health care, but is that really why your there? For instance, just this morning I went to Moncrieff Army Hospital to see if I could talk to a Dr. about the stomach issue I have. The receptionists asked if they could help. So I went to the first lady. The one beside her boldly stated no he doesn't have an appointment sick call ends at 7. I thought to myself what the hell lady. however the receptionist I was in front of vigorously worked to find a Doc that could see me today. She succeeded. Thank you! I will see you in 30 min to let you know how much I appreciate you!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 9 at 2017 9:42 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 09:42:33 -0500

The VA is under OPM rules so there's an appraisal and bonus system already in place. Performance is basically a carrot and stick situation. Problem is the heavy restrictions on using the stick. Compound that with a restriction of the performance pay pool of about 2%. So that means you can bust your butt and get a whopping $800-1300 in September. So you can't punish, you can't reward. Then you see the big awards for crooked administrators, that came out of the 2% pool. That means the lower level only has access to about 1.3%. I was a senior manager on the CS side for a lot of years. The rules both ways generally prohibit you from doing the right thing, especially when you need to right a wrong, or get rid of toxic employees.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 9 at 2017 10:40 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 10:40:49 -0500

NO!!! But then again I'm not a fan of any incentive programs. Do your job and be happy to have a paycheck every month.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Jan 9 at 2017 2:52 PM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 14:52:18 -0500

I think there should be incentives for above and beyond the call of duty. I know it sucks....if it was the other way around everyone would be getting GCMs.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jan 9 at 2017 5:26 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 17:26:07 -0500

That's a big question. Shouldn't the job you do always be your best. Are they paying you to be good at your job or are they paying you to be so so. I'm in upper management where I work and argue with the HR all the time. Why should some one be paid extra to do a good job. When you hire some one to work on your house you expext the best don't you. What if they said they want an extra $100 to do a good job.

Response by SGT James Miller made Jan 9 at 2017 5:39 PM

SGT James Miller — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 17:39:12 -0500

Good question. There shouldn't be, but unfortunately, a lot of government workers just want to get the job and do as little as possible. Or the VA employees are over-worked and over-tasked which hurts empathetic concern for veterans who come in and try to get help. Incentives might help, but what should those incentives be? No clue here.

Response by SGT Linda Moss made Jan 10 at 2017 9:12 AM

SGT Linda Moss — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 09:12:06 -0500

I was taught that no matter what you job is from cleaning toilets to running a company you gave it your all. It is nice when you extra work is noticed and acknowledged. That being said getting award or such is not why you do a good job. It is called integrity something a lot of younger people seem to lack. I see too many that just do not care. When I see some one doing extra or a really good job I make it a point to let their boss know.. Because it take whole lot of atta boys to make up for one oh shit.