On Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 2:30 PM, <LawrLCL@aol.com> wrote:
Return to Article: Employees raise concerns about USDA reorganizationBy Robert Brodsky rbrodsky@govexec.com November 17, 2009
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Debra Posted August 29, 2011 2:00 PMI've been working for the USDA since 2008 and they suck. I have worked for the Federal Government since 1982, and the USDA is by far the worst Government organization I have had the misfortune of working for. Now that the job market sucks as bad as the USDA, I can't leave this evil, and have to wait it out until retirement..- 93640
Woody Posted December 3, 2009 4:20 PMI have been reorganized, realigned, reinvented, etc. over my 32 years with USDA. Most telling is that the closure of my 2-person office with $14.5m outstanding due to the preconcieved notion that we were inefficient back in 1992. Now many years later I have benefitted greatly by being developed into a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser but I still don't command the respect for working for 4 states, including covering FSA, NRCS, and RD. Now the FSA in AZ has 15 Farm Loan Program personnel for a caseload of about $11m. So much for any understanding of fairness, propriety, or needs for a successful agency. I see people sitting around waiting for something to do. I've suggested eliminating State Offices through a regional office structures to put more people in the field to no avail. I hope change for the better will come but will retire prior to my witnessing of such.- 93352
djb Posted December 2, 2009 10:42 AMPeople!!! This is not Perlie Reed's first rodeo you know. USDA is still trying to "fix" the incompetent messes he created in the first place. And Mr. Lucas, employees are grateful for jobs. What are you waiting to see? If certain favored "minority" employees are strategically placed? Welcome to the new Administration. They do what they want, when they want, and how they want. USDA is corrupt to the core and no one cares about the employees of the agency. Keep "reorganizing," perhaps one day competence and strong managerial skills will prevail. But not with this administration. I am so glad to be out of it.- 92909
Discouraged employees Posted November 30, 2009 6:45 AMThe reorganization is such a mess. Senior leadership lied to employees and stated that theis was a "tranparent reorganization" and that all senior managers were involved in the preplanning and discussion. This is untrue! Also, USDA not longer has a diversity or special emphasis programs. These programs were abolished and the three mandated programs under law: Disabilty, Women and Hispanic are no longer functioning in addition to the other programs. Truly not what President Obama had in mind when he took office! Is anyone paying attention?- 92904
Lisa Smith Posted November 29, 2009 9:33 AMThe reorganization was unplanned and uprofessional. The right way to reorganize is to tell people what position they are being moved to and give a date of the move. The way they are doing it now is causing confusing and chaos. You have people with one foot in and one foot out meaning doing the work for 2 different departments because they are still sitting where they previously worked and they expect you to do the work you used to do and do work for your new department and not receive extra compensation for it it...that's crazy and unfair!- 92874
It doesn't help that Pearlie Reed is back to his same old tricks. He has to review ALL hires, from a GS-5 to a GS-15. This is hurting the agencies and no one blinks an eye.USDA employee Posted November 26, 2009 6:19 PMNow his wife has gotten director position with NRCS. I guess nepatism is alive in well and in NRCS, not mention the felons that are being hired by NRCS to be contractors.- 92659
Steve C. Posted November 24, 2009 9:04 AMAll Government Emloyees should be glad they have a job. Remember, the only constant is "Change". Shut up, Suck it up and get to work. If you think you are being treated so badly, quit and go to work in the corporate world. You'd be begging to get back into Government service. You are not "Entitled" to anything except an honest days pay for an honest days work.- 92658
Steve C. Posted November 24, 2009 9:04 AMAll Government Emloyees should be glad they have a job. Remember, the only constant is "Change". Shut up, Suck it up and get to work. If you think you are being treated so badly, quit and go to work in the corporate world. You'd be begging to get back into Government service. You are not "Entitled" to anything except an honest days pay for an honest days work.- 92598
Sam Spade Posted November 23, 2009 1:46 PMThere are always two sides to a story. It is possible the reorganization is a bit extensive but in a large federal system you always have the right to bid for new positions. Also knowing agencies I have worked for you knew for months if not even years that a reorganization was coming along. Refine you skills and bid or find people that you can work with and build collalitions for a new position. You will not stop change and my experience is non-performers and the union are the ones resistant. Provide a postive outcome and watch people respond. Just say no does not work.- 92390
USDA Staff Office Employee Posted November 19, 2009 12:54 PMI dont know how well this reorganization is being carried out, but I do applaude Mr Reed efforts. OHCM has been a dumping ground for ineffective employees for a long long time. Others in Mr Reed's position have previously wanted to remedy this situation but politically this wasn't feasible. Employees in USDA staff offices have long suffered at the hands of inattentive, discourteous, less than professional OHCM staff, which is why in some staff offices HR support has been outsourced to quality HR organizations such as the Treasury's Bureau of Public Debt.- 92328
DLR Posted November 19, 2009 8:39 AMIf Colin Peterson would complete a reorganization of the WHOLE USDA like he has indicated he wants to that would help us all out. I am a field level employee who often wonders why we need so many different undersecretaries, etc.... Do we need all these political appointies who have gotten their job becasue of who they know and not based on what they know? There are way too many top level management people who think they are in charge and not enough actual USDA workers to get the job done out here in the field. I can not say I am in favor or not in favor of what is happening to tehese affected amployees but Vilsack needs to step up and take charge and make sure if there is reorganization that is done in a manner that is employee and customer freindly!!!!! I feel for all of you who are affected!!!- 92325
Former USDA Civil Rights Employee Posted November 19, 2009 8:23 AMFirst and foremost, I feel for the affected employees. USDA has long been considered the "Last Plantation", any minority employee that has ever worked there can surely attest to that fact. NOTHING, at least in the USDA agency I worked for, was EVER done above board! It's unfortunate that those hurt by the games aren't those that play it. They really need to dig deeper and look into the wrong doings of those that head up each of the individual agencies within USDA. Stop making the field slaves pay for the mistakes of the masters.- 92316
MST Posted November 19, 2009 7:29 AMI am one of the OHCM employees who is being replaced by another employee from another agency. My position has not been abolished, or rif and I never have been given an explanation of why I am one of the people that they are replacing. The standard answer is that OHCM is broken and Mr. Reed is going to make this into a first class organization. Because of the way this reorganization, transition?? was presented to USDA, the 50 people who no longer are in their positions that they were hired to do has created a lot of speculations and to some extend has labeled these employees, where we spend a lot of time answering WHY questions. We have received emails from Management stating Change is inevitable, change is not the concerns of much of OHCM, we have been through changes for the last 10 years we are used to this along with poor managers that have been hired by the Assistant Secretary office knowingly that they were not qualified for the position. OHCM employees endure no budget to travel, train and lately supplies were scarce. Then in comes the new First Class managers and we have money to remodel,rent a room for a week at a hotel and offer training. First Class Management coming to USDA???. The little bit of communication that has come out is cold and impersonal and language right out of a textbook. This First Class Managers need to consider using some the money available now to attend a class on sensibility training. Mr. Reed said he was changing the name of OHCM because employees did not like human capital, well Mr. Reed we don't like being treated like human cattle being put up for the highest bidder. By the way the new name your transition or reorg group came up with, OHCM used to be called OHRM back in the 90's. I hope you took into consideration that the employees you have choosen to replace OHCM staff have been their co-workers and friends for years. If this is what First Class looks like USDA is in trouble. WE do not need textbook quotes, we deserve honestly. Thanks for labeling us and tarnishing our names without even taking the opportunity to meet with us. I hope President Obamas YES WE CAN does not mean YES WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE WANT and not be held accountable. God Bless MST- 92307
Alex Posted November 18, 2009 9:46 PMReduction in force? That has to be incorrect. USDA's new administrative trainee program is supposed to add 400-500 new admin employees over the next few years.- 92294
Connie Posted November 18, 2009 5:37 PMIt sure is funny that when this happened because of A-76 studies at bases across the US, no one seemed to care, now that it is happening in HQ, they cry wolf!!! Now you join the ranks of us who have been RIF'd from their jobs and out the door. HQ needs to trim down, the field offices are working at the bare bones. Welcome...- 92292
dan m ketter Posted November 18, 2009 5:22 PMJust waht does USDA do??? If you ask a farmer they will tell you nothing, so if tomorrow the dept went away who would notice? Maybe Reed will take baraks message to heart and replace what was there with vets- 92288
poa Posted November 18, 2009 3:35 PMPearlie Reed is an outstanding manager and person. He is very fair to his employees but also no nonsense. If he had not been the best qualified person for this position, given his work experience and history, I don't think he would have been nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It's very unfortunate in this day and time that white males cannot accept the fact that they have to report to people of color. Some of these staffs need to be awakened. They were making a mess of things in HR and civil rights was just down right dysfunctional. Kudos to you Mr. Reed. Continue to move forward.- 92282
RMH Posted November 18, 2009 1:34 PMI find it ironic that the USDA Graduate School conducts an annual "Executive Leadership Program" to teach leaders how to manage change within their organizations, and yet do it so poorly when it's their own agency undergoing reorganizational change. Maybe they need to take their own course!- 92281
public servant Posted November 18, 2009 1:33 PMThe amazing about this reorganization is that I am one of the affected employees and I read about it from outside sources, like govexec. The reorg makes strategic sense, however, the lack of commiunication and transparency is unacceptable.if secretary vilsack or any high level official is reading this please be aware that emplpoyees affected need to be informed directly. This will create a culture of trust at usda, which we need to tackle the manuy challenges we face as a department.- 92280
fed VA worker Posted November 18, 2009 1:15 PMI would welcome a reorg at VBA. its is time to get rid of the good ole boys. they have no managment skills and manage by fear tactics, esp towards the women here. Reorgs are hard, cause there is always unfairness and favoritism. that is why they happen. do you actually think they want to improve the agency ????- 92271
If this is what Obama means by change then that is change I can believe in.Vet Posted November 18, 2009 12:45 PM- 92266
Craig Smith Posted November 18, 2009 12:26 PMThey need to abolish the USDA DA Office of HR because most of the HR employees are illiterate and lazy. I am smarter and work harder than 99% of them in my sleep. If they put me in charge I would fire them all or transfer them to HUD or DC Government where they belong.- 92259
Now a few USDA employees are going through what 2500 former USDA PPQ Officers went through when they were transferred to CBP.Chaos, insecurity, stress about the future of their work in a new organization that was all too eager to take power but not to learn the intricacies of the new positions the new department had swallowed. And at that time, where were the USDA high ranking officials? Completely backing up the reorganization without even a mention of employee rights. Meeting behind closed doors to plan how to take political advantage of the situation.We were lucky in the long run congress intervened and not only put a stop to the dismantling of the agriculture inspection program, but ordered it rebuilt.Ennar Posted November 18, 2009 12:12 PMSorry, but if they did that to 2500, I don't think a few dozen will stand a chance.- 92258
Abused USDA employee Posted November 18, 2009 11:35 AMTo J Moore, shame on you, you know nothing about working at USDA. Since 2000, we in HR have been reduced from 158 positions to just 58. How do you think the work got done for the last 9 years? I am doing the work of 2 people for the last three years and getting paid for one. I saved the government over $400,000's. Didn't see an additional penny in my paycheck. The problem at USDA is bad management. We have had managers that did not possess the basic leadership competencies but were placed in these positions anyway. Since 2003, OHCM has had 6 HR directors. Most of them knew nothing about how an HR office should run. They knew nothing about HR and refused to follow laws, rules and regulations. They tried to make us look studid because of the inability to grasp the basic HR concepts. I don't whine and never did. I have devoted 34 years of my life to help my customers and this is my reward. Since I have been doing the work that has been historically be done by two people, I belive that I fit the category of a high performed. I am one of the people that should be considered for the new organization instead of being booted out. Oh wait, can someone please tell me the definition of a high performer? If I don't fit in that category then please tell me who does?- 92249
NS Posted November 18, 2009 10:56 AMThe ONLY objective of this reorg was to get Perlie Reed more power. It was virtually impossible for any major issue affecting a USDA agency to get the Secretary's attention, and now it will be worse. Mr. Reed has a 'bone to pick' with USDA centering around EEO issues and the perception of descriminatory practices in USDA's loan and other entitlement programs. The senior leadership of USDA needs to stop focusing on their own agendas and start working for the people of this country. A good start would be to break down the fiefdoms of this Department, eliminate the waste, and make all agencies work together as ONE USDA. If the members of Congress or their staff read this post, USDA needs to be legislatively reorganized into ONE leaner, meaner, and more effective Department.- 92247
"USDA staffers have complained to the House and Senate Agriculture committees. Courtney Rowe, a Senate committee spokeswoman, said Reed briefed lawmakers on the reorganization several weeks ago. Rowe said Sen. Blanche Lincoln, the committee chairwoman, "wants the USDA to run as efficiently as possible."A reorganization where the employees are left in limbo for months is NEVER efficient. Hello? Why isn't Congress telling Pearlie Reed to stop? Why is Secretary Vilsack allowing this? Does anyone know the number of times that HR/CR has been "reorganized" in USDA? Why does USDA persist in sending the message that these 2.800 employees don't count?Charlie Posted November 18, 2009 10:50 AM- 92234
USDA does need to get down to business. But cut anymore and we will be out of business. The problem is as usual "take short cuts and u get cut short". Lawrence Lucas? what relevance does he have to working federal employee's? He is just another Reed croany who doesn't realize that he hasn't been in the inner circle for more than a decade.When will the agency notify the 25 employee's that they have been placed??? They are still waiting just as they are waiting for the agency to respond to their congressional inquiry! Congressional inquiries wouldn't be necessary if the agency was forth coming in the first place. Basic questions require basic answers!!! I agree, no federal employee should have to elevate basic questions about their employment status and benefits to congress but u got to do what is required when you hit a brick wall and Secretary Vilsack and Mr. Reed place personnel on a transformation team who cannot answer simple employement questions. Or why don't they just throw the whole transparency concept out the window...no one here at USDA is following the White House initiative anyway.MW Posted November 18, 2009 9:53 AMBeyond pathetic!- 92233
Nancy Posted November 18, 2009 9:53 AMWhat's laughable is the statement from Reed trying to convince everyone that the majority of employees are on board with this reorg. What a joke!! This guy doesn't have the first clue. He may have a majority of employees behind him that include ONLY the politicals because they have their own agenda and it doesn't include doing what's best for the American Public, but how he can make such a broad statement and not think it will come back to bite him is beyond me. Call it arrogance. This is someone who didn't have the moxie to face the HR group himself and tell them to their face of his plans, instead sending his incompetent lackey. Meanwhile they are spending money like it's going out of style with all of the nonsensical office moves, buying plasma tv's, etc...spending millions when they should refrain from spending. It's disgusting and disturbing!- 92230
BTDT Posted November 18, 2009 9:32 AMTo the poor employees at the USDA, "Been there, Done that, Good luck!" As an FAA employee, we are still coping with the chaotic & messy aftermath of an almost identical reorganization as the one at the USDA. Ours started the same way, only about 6 years ago. The USDA employees should consider that they are lucky to be getting new jobs within their commuting area. Our agendy shipped people all over the map to different states. It didn't matter if you were a year from retirement or not. You either went or lost your job. All of the issues raised in the article were true for us too. It sucks. Now, is the FAA any better today? Hell no. It is a mess. And since it is such a mess, we now have to pay contractors to do all the work because the agency is too disorganized to manage it. No one knows who does what, and ususally if you can find the right person they are inexperienced or shellshocked anyway.- 92227
Sally Lyberger Posted November 18, 2009 9:23 AMI would remind the previous 'taxpayer' that ALL Federal employees are taxpayers, and that Federal employees have no board of directors or CEO to go to when they have ideas or objections EXCEPT to their Congressmen. Departments and bureaus are organized around money not around capabilities, and the structure needs to be changed and updated. However, any good leader knows that the more you involve the employees in the plan, the better chance you have of making the plan work. Change Management 101. Secrecy and "across the board" measures to avoid meeting specific issues head-on will bring down any organization.- 92226
Ann Wyn Posted November 18, 2009 9:21 AMMy heart aches for those affected. I haven't seen a reorg yet that wasn't based on fear and favoritism. Take heart in the knowledge that the people who try to hurt you often end up helping you. While they are closing one door, another is opening and you will find good things/people there if you let yourself. The more you fight it, the more you hurt yourself. The people doing this don't care about you. But they are creating their own karma to which they will have to answer whether in this lifetime or another.- 92220
Gordon Klofstad Posted November 18, 2009 8:49 AMDuring the 90's when Pearlie Reed was Chief of the NRCS, he did a similar reorganization. He removed highly qualified career employees from top positions and replaced them with incompetent minorities. Just watch who gets the top positions.- 92210
HR people tend to be management hacks and do the tec parts of management's crazy plans. But being a union guy I am for the rights of all abused workers.Did Dubya come back to power? Is USDA still managed by political hold overs?Wise Old Owl Posted November 18, 2009 7:59 AMUnions now! Unions for ever!- 92209
Frank Posted November 18, 2009 7:54 AMFrom first hand experience with the "personnel office," the firmly entrenched employees possess a definite sense of job entitlement. They'll help their "friends" but if they don't "know" you, good luck. Also, too many long time mangers throughout the USDA have cozy relationships with the EEO & civil rights office personnel. That's a practice that must be dismantled.- 92206
Jack Posted November 18, 2009 7:43 AMAs a FORMER USDA researcher, all I can can say is RUN, do not walk, away from this agency. People are not valued at all.- 92195
AC Posted November 17, 2009 9:45 PMOh, it is simply outrageous to do this to people in the middle of the worst job market. And, just think that the Federal government is trying to entice people to work for them. What is wrong with these people? This is a real turn-off for me.- 92193
J Moore Posted November 17, 2009 7:26 PMAs a taxpayer, it seems to me that Secretary Vilsack has not gone far enough to downsize an obviously bloated bureaucracy. With employees with nothing better to do than complain to their Senators and a politically appointed CFO whining about his organizational stature and settling scores in the media, it seems like Vilsack needs to do more than a "designer" reduction in force and get down to the business of Agriculture.
