Post by decision501 on Dec 2, 2013 16:17:47 GMT -5
Nov 27, 2013 18:16:33 GMT -5 @publivservant said:
I had to register to comment on this thread. What a bunch of bloviating self-importance on display. Let's clear up a few apparent willful misunderstandings:
1. Fellow ALJs, you DO have an actual first and second line supervisor in ODAR (HOCALJ and RCALJ);
2. The HOCALJ is the lead management official in the Hearing Office, followed by the HOD;
3. You are responsible for following the Standards of Conduct, just as any other agency employee (you receive Annual Personnel Reminders outlining these rules--check out 1.6 regarding the mandate to treat coworkers and the public with courtesy and respect);
4. You must cooperate in an investigatory administrative interview, otherwise known as a Weingarten interview. Failure to cooperate is in itself ample grounds to discipline an employee;
5. Yelling and using profanity in the workplace is something that any employee should be disciplined for--not boasted about anonymously on an internet message board. The fact that some claim to have done so and faced no consequences can only be attributed to a supervisor who likely lacked administrative support to develop the disciplinary action against the ALJ;
6. In our current culture an ALJ engaging in such misconduct would appropriately be facing charges before the MSPB;
7. Any ALJ who fails to follow the standards of conduct diminishes the position and is not worth the respect he or she so clearly and desperately craves;
8. I am an ALJ;
9. I am not a HOCALJ--nor would I ever want to be. I have seen our HOCALJ be bullied by long-timers intent on disserving the public by failing to meet reasonable benchmarks all the while hiding inability behind judicial independence.
Colleagues, do your job, serve the public, and if you find yourself the subject of a Weingarten, cooperate and rationally defend yourself with representation. If, however, you want to delude yourself that you are untouchable and answerable to no one, do us all a favor and leave the robe behind, take your savings and open a hotdog stand. You can run it exactly the way you want and be the boss and make your own rules. I have seen plenty of decision writers and reps who will make excellent ALJs in your place. They will happily buy a hotdog for lunch--if you treat them with respect.
Hi Kristen.