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Post by cougarfan on Apr 10, 2014 16:46:34 GMT -5
It's not so black and white that we need to assume or make suggestion that someone who does not do it like we do it is doing it wrong. I also hold 50+ hearings per month (well I prepare for that many and then I wind up dismissing about 12% and not holding the hearing), I am able to fully review each file at least a week ahead of time, I review all unrepresented files a couple months ahead so I can request CE as needed, my CT frequently contacts the rep after my review to let them know what I think is missing, I order post hearing CEs when needed, I take every other Friday off using credit hours, and I feel very confident I've given each claimant a full and fair hearing. Now true, I don't spend much time wandering around the office making small talk; but that's never been my personality.
There are others in my office who take a different approach, some do more hearings and some do fewer; some review their files the day before and some review two weeks ahead.
I don't think there is any one cookie cutter way to do it; that's what I like about the job, I've been pretty free to work how I want to and to process my files as I want.
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Post by 71stretch on Apr 10, 2014 17:00:08 GMT -5
It's not so black and white that we need to assume or make suggestion that someone who does not do it like we do it is doing it wrong. I also hold 50+ hearings per month (well I prepare for that many and then I wind up dismissing about 12% and not holding the hearing), I am able to fully review each file at least a week ahead of time, I review all unrepresented files a couple months ahead so I can request CE as needed, my CT frequently contacts the rep after my review to let them know what I think is missing, I order post hearing CEs when needed, I take every other Friday off using credit hours, and I feel very confident I've given each claimant a full and fair hearing. Now true, I don't spend much time wandering around the office making small talk; but that's never been my personality. There are others in my office who take a different approach, some do more hearings and some do fewer; some review their files the day before and some review two weeks ahead. I don't think there is any one cookie cutter way to do it; that's what I like about the job, I've been pretty free to work how I want to and to process my files as I want. I'm an outsider, but I am a bit tired of reading the posts that castigate ALJs who do the job differently than the author does it. There are different ways to do the same job. In my office of about 14 state ALJs, I'll wager that no two of us manage our caseload the same way. That doesn't mean any of us are "wrong". What works for one does not work for another. So long as the job is getting done (and yes, there's variations in decision quality here too, for which the judges are solely responsible as we don't have writers) there is not just one way to do it. |
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Post by JudgeRatty on Apr 10, 2014 18:26:15 GMT -5
The common thread I see on these posts is that those posting here are passionate about their work. Clearly everyone has differences on what is the "best" way and there are differing interpretations of the data out there. We all know statistics do not show the true picture but they do serve as a very vague guideline of sorts. Bottom line is that if all the ALJs out there were as passionate about their work as those on this board... We would not have so many issues. I think the real elephant in the room is complacency. When ALJs forgo the work ethic that is needed in this job, and those ALJs cut corners, we end up with newsworthy stories. Eh?
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Post by privateatty on Apr 10, 2014 18:42:46 GMT -5
The common thread I see on these posts is that those posting here are passionate about their work. Clearly everyone has differences on what is the "best" way and there are differing interpretations of the data out there. We all know statistics do not show the true picture but they do serve as a very vague guideline of sorts. Bottom line is that if all the ALJs out there were as passionate about their work as those on this board... We would not have so many issues. I think the real elephant in the room is complacency. When ALJs forgo the work ethic that is needed in this job, and those ALJs cut corners, we end up with newsworthy stories. Eh? Oh, I think you are trying to be polite. The ALJs in the news were engaged in more than taking short cuts--let's be honest. They are innocent until proven guilty so we can only go on what has been charged, but "60 Minutes" and major new organizations do not point out smoke without a fire. Again, with over 1500 ALJs you are going to have some problems. How many and to what degree is the subject of a lot of litigation. |
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Post by JudgeRatty on Apr 10, 2014 18:50:58 GMT -5
The common thread I see on these posts is that those posting here are passionate about their work. Clearly everyone has differences on what is the "best" way and there are differing interpretations of the data out there. We all know statistics do not show the true picture but they do serve as a very vague guideline of sorts. Bottom line is that if all the ALJs out there were as passionate about their work as those on this board... We would not have so many issues. I think the real elephant in the room is complacency. When ALJs forgo the work ethic that is needed in this job, and those ALJs cut corners, we end up with newsworthy stories. Eh? Oh, I think you are trying to be polite. The ALJs in the news were engaged in more than taking short cuts--let's be honest. They are innocent until proven guilty so we can only go on what has been charged, but "60 Minutes" and major new organizations do not point out smoke without a fire. Again, with over 1500 ALJs you are going to have some problems. How many and to what degree is the subject of a lot of litigation. Well true, I have worked in a lot of different jobs in my life and I can report that consistently there have been idiots here and there so I would expect that the same would hold true in the ALJ position as well.  and frankly I know a few exist from first hand knowledge. LOL! People are people. |
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Post by privateatty on Apr 10, 2014 20:04:23 GMT -5
I wonder how many hours a week Northerner spends editing drafts? I've met all the quotas the agency has put in front of me, but it is a very rare week where I don't work all 7 days; if I were allowed to somehow keep all the credit hours I've earned, I would be retired. I'm sorry to hear that as this is a 40 hr a week job. You have to do the work that you feel professional and comfortable doing. If you can only do a 'reasonable' number of dispositions given your standards and can support it through drafts and solid work then I can't see how they can credibly prosecute you for low production. You folks talk about 500, but I'm not ODAR and can't opine. If you think about it its like a timecard. But of course this is JMO. |
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and frankly I know a few exist from first hand knowledge. LOL! People are people.