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Post by maquereau on Jan 26, 2016 8:32:18 GMT -5
I'm still trying to figure out what has happened and why everyone seems so upset. Was there one particularly objectionable or insulting post? I hope I haven't offended anyone.
I am not as prolific a poster as some others, but I do give my impressions of the job (ALJ) from time to time. My perspective is, obviously, not a universal one. As Hapi noted, the sundry ODAR offices can vary considerably in quality and an observation valid from one office may not necessarily be valid from another. I've worked in 4 different offices and I can attest to substantial variation in the quality of personnel and work practices.
The application and selection process has changed since I got picked up, so I don't think I have great insights to offer the current applicants. As for the working life of an ALJ, I offer what I can - knowing that others have different points of view - and, as they say, it's all good.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jan 26, 2016 14:00:29 GMT -5
I'm still trying to figure out what has happened and why everyone seems so upset. Was there one particularly objectionable or insulting post? I hope I haven't offended anyone. I am not as prolific a poster as some others, but I do give my impressions of the job (ALJ) from time to time. My perspective is, obviously, not a universal one. As Hapi noted, the sundry ODAR offices can vary considerably in quality and an observation valid from one office may not necessarily be valid from another. I've worked in 4 different offices and I can attest to substantial variation in the quality of personnel and work practices. The application and selection process has changed since I got picked up, so I don't think I have great insights to offer the current applicants. As for the working life of an ALJ, I offer what I can - knowing that others have different points of view - and, as they say, it's all good. Some posts have been edited/ deleted. That may explain some things.
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Post by lawmom90 on Jan 26, 2016 15:10:17 GMT -5
If you've ever been to hell, Texas ain't so bad by comparison.
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Post by gary on Jan 26, 2016 15:15:38 GMT -5
If you've ever been to hell, Texas ain't so bad by comparison. I'm not sure if it's more shocking that you confess to having been to Hell or to Texas.
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Post by numbersix on Jan 26, 2016 17:41:43 GMT -5
Don't mess with Texas!
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Post by Pixie on Jan 26, 2016 18:17:53 GMT -5
I'm still trying to figure out what has happened and why everyone seems so upset. Was there one particularly objectionable or insulting post? I hope I haven't offended anyone. I am not as prolific a poster as some others, but I do give my impressions of the job (ALJ) from time to time. My perspective is, obviously, not a universal one. As Hapi noted, the sundry ODAR offices can vary considerably in quality and an observation valid from one office may not necessarily be valid from another. I've worked in 4 different offices and I can attest to substantial variation in the quality of personnel and work practices. The application and selection process has changed since I got picked up, so I don't think I have great insights to offer the current applicants. As for the working life of an ALJ, I offer what I can - knowing that others have different points of view - and, as they say, it's all good. Some posts have been edited/ deleted. That may explain some things. I only deleted two posts that attacked Tiger Law and haven't edited any of them. The original posters may have edited some, but they appear about the way they were when originally posted. I agree with maquereau, and don't know what caused the meltdown. I have an idea as there were some PMs involving several of us, but nothing that should have caused such a violent self destruct. Pixie.
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Post by lawmom90 on Jan 26, 2016 19:15:37 GMT -5
I actually love Texas I was just kidding
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Jan 26, 2016 19:17:47 GMT -5
Texas is awesome. Do not hate! First Team!
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Post by blondswede on Jan 26, 2016 19:40:39 GMT -5
I'm sorry to lose the insights and opinions of anyone; however, I'd like to think that no one would strive to manipulate this Board for personal agenda. All of us are in this together, after all. If members have concluded they need to withdraw from this Forum, I regret that but of course must respect their decisions.
While I am thrilled to be a member of the February 8 start group, and really consider this job to be a blessing, I'm quite sure that the ALJ role is not without its issues. I had a job for 15 years which was my "dream job," truly, but it still had its days when I would've traded it for a Diet Coke...and I have always detested Diet Coke. Of course, the ALJ position has to vary from ODAR to ODAR, and from season to season. Personality of co-workers, especially any with actual or perceived "authority" over the ALJ, always will be one critical factor among many others.
I've been a member of the Bar for more years than not and have had a fairly wide-ranging and varied career, including some management responsibilities, but one thing I never have been is part of a union. While I'm certainly glad (and am sure will come to appreciate more and more) that there is an organized voice for ALJs, I will tread particularly gingerly re: that aspect of the job until I find my way. Definitely, I will take to heart the advice to carefully read and learn all that's provided for and promised to me.
What I know is, if I can "do this job justice," it will be a good place for me to serve for the remaining years of my career. Perhaps I am too old to be as idealistic as I sound - and actually feel. Or maybe I'm discovering that the idealism of youth wasn't such a bad place to be after all.
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Post by blondswede on Jan 26, 2016 19:53:41 GMT -5
Hapi2Balj, I hope I am never "too old" to be idealistic. You are definitely not alone in that corner.
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Post by privateatty on Jan 27, 2016 21:16:18 GMT -5
Huh? A "way of work" that is pro-management and what, is being used as sort of a Vulcan mind-melt in numerous posts? Susceptible wanna be ALJs are being future Manchurian Candidates? It all seems a bit fantastic.
This is not to take away from Woody and Bartleby. I hear your frustration. I am not there, am not an ODAR Judge and thus cannot opine as to you. Once you have dropped down the Hole and met the Rabbit in the top hat why then all that came before is not even a footnote--even though Woody accorded prior practice as such. You are fighting the good fight and may the Force be with you.
My point is that I would not deprive us and you the opportunity to post and learn something along the way. You are not the first to delete your posts--why even I did it once upon a time. Some folks have gone this route due to a pi--ing contest with The Board. Others have lost faith in The Process and ultimately themselves. Still others have wanted to make a Point. Fine.
But at the end of the day this is a Board for folks who want to be an ALJ. It is not a referendum on ODAR/CALJ and all the politics that ensue. Sure y'all can post all that stuff, but it has nothing to do with what this Board is really all about, only what may lay in the future should you be of a mind to delve into it and be involved. For every Tigerlaw there is a Hamster. And there are those folks like Wayne and Chinook who know nothing about ODAR and yet enrich the Board.
I say stop driving into trees and step back and survey the forest.
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Post by privateatty on Jan 29, 2016 16:40:36 GMT -5
You know, this Board was designed and administrated for non-ALJ's. It is for the sharing of information regarding the hiring process and the position. Only ALJ's can relay their opinion of the position. With that in mind, once one becomes and ALJ, this Board is of little use. The workload is strenuous and why should one spend time on something that has no benefit to them. I contribute sparingly as I still appreciate all those that assisted me and I am attempting to pay it forward. With that said, there will come a day when I no longer find the time or the Board amusing enough to contribute. We miss the great ones over the years, but then there is someone new.. May the Gods that be never let Pixie wander far.. Blessings to all. Amen, Brother.
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Post by happy on Feb 9, 2016 16:34:22 GMT -5
"We are not paid to sit in the break room having coffee for an hour upon arrival at work, read the paper for 30 minutes, check our stocks, pay our bills online, take a 90-minute lunch, and sit and chit-chat with our colleagues for a half hour here and a half hour there. I've worked in six different hearing offices in my 18-year career with ODAR. I've seen all those things be a problem -- not just an "every now and then" kind of thing, but a sense of entitlement from judges that they have "arrived" and now they are somehow royalty without accountability." Good God almighty, Happy, I would be pro-management too if I ever saw the above activities going on in an office on a regular basis!
I have only been here since 2014 and it has been hard for me to get 5 minutes with another ALJ to discuss a problem case that I am having, let alone to BS about the weekend, stocks or a 90 minute lunch. Please PM me your location (sounds like the South or Memphis) and I will put it on my transfer list next year!!!
Tiger
LOL, TL (Although I know you aren't on anymore to read this. I don't log on very often, which is why I am not as frustrated as some). Admittedly, the worst offenses I saw were back in the '90s and early '00s and it is a much different world now. However, I truly believe that the ODAR world is, in fact, so different precisely because of all those early offenses. Some still do it, though, and I can tell you that as recently as 2010, I was seeing more than one judge in an office disposing of an average of fewer than 20 cases per month, without justifiable extenuating circumstances (they've since retired). In my opinion, collecting a paycheck for 40 hours per week with that disposition rate is defrauding the taxpayer. That being said, such behavior is the exception and by no means the norm. But it does happen and it is very frustrating, not only to management, but to those folks' ALJ colleagues, who truly do put in the time and effort to do the job well. And I will say, too, that the composition of the ALJ corps has changed drastically over the last decade!
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