Are we finally making progress? Debate Over Making It Easier to Fire Feds Dominates VA Hearing

CSM Michael Lynch — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:50:39 -0400

This maybe the start to something in the right direction. I like that it isn't just focused on the high level but all employees. The trend of VA issues is alarming as we all know, to see progress on something that will make it better in the long run is the first of many steps to be taken daily.

In the same breathe this was released this am as well.

*Veterans Affairs admits to spending billions on private healthcare.

So they have been spending billions on our health care through private facilities without contracts, yet the could have spent those billions on their own systems to get them right to care for our veterans.

I'm sure we will see some kick back, bonus issues arise from this release as well in the near future. It seems to be a never ending onslaught for the VA.

IMHO opinion it will start with some firings, fines, imprisonment and holding these folks accountable before solid change will occur.

Debate Over Making It Easier to Fire Feds Dominates VA Hearing

House panel discusses legislation that would give the VA secretary sweeping authority to remove corrupt or poor-performing employees.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:52 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:52:00 -0400

I think it's getting better, but there is still a lot of work to be done!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 4 at 2015 9:52 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:52:08 -0400

That sounds like good news and is definitely a step in the right direction.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 4 at 2015 9:53 AM

CPO Joseph Grant — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:53:01 -0400

Let's hope so. So far my experience with the veterans administration has been less than stellar

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jun 4 at 2015 9:53 AM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:53:37 -0400

Awesome!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:55 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:55:09 -0400

I would hope so. It should be easy to dismiss because of performance or discipline issues.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 4 at 2015 9:56 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 09:56:34 -0400

Unfortunately is usually works out to something like
1. Enthusiasm,
2. Disillusionment,
3. Panic,
4. Search for the guilty,
5. Punishment of the innocent, and
6. Praise and honor for the nonparticipants.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 4 at 2015 10:06 AM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:06:44 -0400

CSM Michael Lynch No, they will talk about holding the VA and personnel accountable, they will retire a few and when the Admin changes it will be dropped like a hot cake. I don't expect the management layer to change unless it is reorg completely away from the current structure.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 4 at 2015 10:36 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:36:30 -0400

Hopefully this will be the boot in the ass the VA needs. Though it is sad that it takes something like the possibility of losing one's job to motivate an employee into doing what they were hired to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 7:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:51:02 -0400

There would have to be some sort of way to quantify if a person is being fired for actual cause, or if it is because the boss is just a flaming %$@#.

I had a boss under federal government employment and he was the classic "toxic leader". We're fairly certain he was a functioning alcoholic (ie, he was able to "put up a good act" while actually raging drunk) and abusive, prone to fits of temper, etc. Eventually he got removed and demoted, but I am 100% positive he would have fired everyone in the office at one point or another just to prove what a big tough guy he was. It was a small office and actually pretty well-run and efficient, so it would have been nothing but his ego running amuck.

Being able to fire people at will isn't a guarantee of success for an organization.