General Discussion

EffieBlack

(14,249 posts)

102. Engineers, urban planners, human resource experts,, subject-matter/policy experts

Sun Jan 20, 2019, 01:11 PM

Jan 2019

budget and financial analysts, confidential assistants, economists, public affairs specialists, strategic communications experts, speechwriters, diversity and inclusion experts, procurement specialists, IT professionals, etc. etc. etc.

I've worked with hundreds, if not thousands of people who have seamlessly moved from high-skilled jobs in government into equivalent positions in the private sector (including corporate/business, nonprofits, and academia) and vice versa.

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I asked my wife this question and she laughed her ass off. [View all] shockey80 Jan 2019 OP

It's not that simple. Of course a federal worker who's not getting paid The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2019 #1

It is that simple. shockey80 Jan 2019 #4

Would you really do it? The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2019 #6

Suppose you are just a few years from being vested in your pension? n/t Stonepounder Jan 2019 #49

Once you're employee as a government worker for a while Loki Liesmith Jan 2019 #58

That hasn't been my experience or the experience of the many other employers and employees I know EffieBlack Jan 2019 #62

A long time government lawyer Loki Liesmith Jan 2019 #66

Lawyers and scientists don't represent all government employees... EffieBlack Jan 2019 #68

Never said they represented all or even a significant fraction of govt employees Loki Liesmith Jan 2019 #72

Air traffic controllers have a skill set that doesn't translate to anything in the private sector Major Nikon Jan 2019 #81

You're talking about specific, highly specialized areas EffieBlack Jan 2019 #84

As was the poster you replied to Major Nikon Jan 2019 #85

There's a difference between a "highly skilled job" and a job exclusive to federal government EffieBlack Jan 2019 #88

Looks like that poster did clarify Major Nikon Jan 2019 #93

Engineers, urban planners, human resource experts,, subject-matter/policy experts EffieBlack Jan 2019 #102

How many economists and speechwriters do you think any given agency employs? Major Nikon Jan 2019 #103

Obviously many more than you think EffieBlack Jan 2019 #105

So you are assuming all of those are federal employees and not contractors Major Nikon Jan 2019 #115

I:m not assuming I'm stating a fact EffieBlack Jan 2019 #116

You made several assumptions that I pointed out Major Nikon Jan 2019 #117

Let's see: EffieBlack Jan 2019 #118

No let's not see Major Nikon Jan 2019 #119

I was a Fed from 1969 to 1985 and my experience was like yours PufPuf23 Jan 2019 #108

What a great career you've had. Thanks for sharing your experiences! EffieBlack Jan 2019 #111

Thanks. I had forgotten this. B Stieg Jan 2019 #50

I was trying to think of why the premise given was wrong. Blue_true Jan 2019 #86

It is illegal for some of them to say no to working without pay. Not saying it's rigjt. onecaliberal Jan 2019 #2

Any worker who says they will not work for no pay can get fired. shockey80 Jan 2019 #3

For the TSA it IS illegal. onecaliberal Jan 2019 #7

When you sign on with a federal agency 2naSalit Jan 2019 #36

Go tell that to the Coast Guard whopis01 Jan 2019 #80

Exactly. onecaliberal Jan 2019 #107

That has never been tested as far as I can tell. KPN Jan 2019 #52

Once Major Nikon Jan 2019 #83

Nope. They weren't being required to work KPN Jan 2019 #89

The law doesn't apply to individuals, it applies to unions Major Nikon Jan 2019 #91

Workers don't need a union to stage a walkout. KPN Jan 2019 #92

True, but in that case no laws would be violated Major Nikon Jan 2019 #94

I don't follow your point about no law being broken KPN Jan 2019 #95

Post #2 is talking about employees Major Nikon Jan 2019 #96

So you agree then that employees can walk out KPN Jan 2019 #97

I would agree it doesn't apply if the union had nothing to do with it Major Nikon Jan 2019 #98

So what was the "Once" about? KPN Jan 2019 #100

Do I need to repeat myself? Major Nikon Jan 2019 #101

Haha. Sorry, but apparently. You said it WAS tested once. KPN Jan 2019 #113

Then we disagree Major Nikon Jan 2019 #114

It's not illegal for the employee, it's illegal for a federal union to organize a strike Major Nikon Jan 2019 #82

That's wonderful that you have the courage and resources to quit a job unexpectedly and either WhiskeyGrinder Jan 2019 #5

Yep. It's easy to sit at the computer and tell others what they should be doing The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2019 #8

I have made that decision. shockey80 Jan 2019 #10

"Fate took over, It was amazing." WhiskeyGrinder Jan 2019 #16

+1 2naSalit Jan 2019 #38

There is this thing called, calling in sick. shockey80 Jan 2019 #9

"Find a doctor who will protect you." That sounds interesting! What does that look like? WhiskeyGrinder Jan 2019 #12

Yeah, doesn't exactly sound like he's the big brave warrior he pretends to be lol. cwydro Jan 2019 #60

Maybe you can find a doctor who will claim you have bone spurs EffieBlack Jan 2019 #70

So easy to say "I would NEVER do that!" when you're not in their EffieBlack Jan 2019 #11

Yawn. shockey80 Jan 2019 #13

Apparently, you're too groggy to realize we can see you ... EffieBlack Jan 2019 #14

They are probably fearful that President "Pull Wings off of Flies" will fire them and ooky Jan 2019 #15

Every single salaried employee has done work for free. FSogol Jan 2019 #17

Yes, and they will have do it over and over and over for fucking ever. shockey80 Jan 2019 #19

They're not actually working for free or without pay EffieBlack Jan 2019 #21

I meant in a more general way, beyond the federal govt. FSogol Jan 2019 #29

I understand EffieBlack Jan 2019 #33

Like I said, Right now some federal workers are refusing to work without pay. shockey80 Jan 2019 #18

LOL: You wrote this to yourself: "Why are you attacking me for having courage?" FSogol Jan 2019 #20

Oops, now that's funny. shockey80 Jan 2019 #22

Big Brother: "Stop hitting yer-self" n/t FSogol Jan 2019 #26

I'm just trying to rock the boat. shockey80 Jan 2019 #28

Collective action is not about individual courage, so you continuing to tout your own misses the WhiskeyGrinder Jan 2019 #24

Well said. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #39

You have shown absolutely no courage. EffieBlack Jan 2019 #25

Who are you, my mother. shockey80 Jan 2019 #30

Obviously not, thank the Lord. EffieBlack Jan 2019 #34

Sounds like he cowered in his (fake) sick bed, while his co-workers faced the music daily. cwydro Jan 2019 #61

Sitting behind a keyboard slamming others is the act of a coward. cwydro Jan 2019 #65

I'm guessing some of these people would keep working... LAS14 Jan 2019 #23

I agree, I can't hold that against them. Very good point. shockey80 Jan 2019 #27

Cool Story, Bro , ! stonecutter357 Jan 2019 #31

Federal workers are governed by the Code of Ethical Conduct. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #32

Scary, refusing an order, BOO! shockey80 Jan 2019 #35

Scary, getting fired and losing a job. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #37

Being forced to work without pay is also not a trivial matter. shockey80 Jan 2019 #40

Arbitrators treat orders as paramount. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #41

Think of is as quasi-military in how personnel are handled. 2naSalit Jan 2019 #42

I served in the army, I also worked for the federal government (UNION) for many years. shockey80 Jan 2019 #43

You guys know that Trump wants to fire them all and bring in private contract workers, right? FakeNoose Jan 2019 #44

Exactly. shockey80 Jan 2019 #46

This needs to be understood by all of us, and the remaining real democratic leaders in this country. erronis Jan 2019 #57

I'm pretty sure you missed the point of FakeNoose's post entirely. By that I mean walking off the dameatball Jan 2019 #79

Yes that's what I meant FakeNoose Jan 2019 #112

I'm the same way nt backtoblue Jan 2019 #45

You must be an old school American like myself. shockey80 Jan 2019 #47

I was raised by some hard working country folk backtoblue Jan 2019 #48

I knew it. Hello friend. shockey80 Jan 2019 #51

Hiya back friend. backtoblue Jan 2019 #54

On some level I agree with you about having strong, core principles. llmart Jan 2019 #53

Yes you are. shockey80 Jan 2019 #56

"Most Americans no longer have the courage to say this simple word, NO!" ... Jopin Klobe Jan 2019 #55

Not forever, but it's part of the job for government workers. Hoyt Jan 2019 #59

Trump would run into a school unarmed to save kids from a shooter IronLionZion Jan 2019 #63

You need to read all the posts. shockey80 Jan 2019 #74

I don't IronLionZion Jan 2019 #78

Hey, you sound like a really tough leader-type dude! cwydro Jan 2019 #64

+1. And tell all the federal law enforcement officers they are weak with no guts IronLionZion Jan 2019 #71

Yeah, and forget the Coasties - he can start with the Secret Service! cwydro Jan 2019 #77

It's always easy to hulk up on forums. EllieBC Jan 2019 #99

+1 violetpastille Jan 2019 #104

Why don't these "Why they oughtta" big talkers organize their OWN general strike EffieBlack Jan 2019 #106

Of course they won't do it themselves! EllieBC Jan 2019 #109

Like the "I don't need no danged union!" types who refuse to join the union or pay dues EffieBlack Jan 2019 #110

I have worked for no pay radical noodle Jan 2019 #67

General Strike . . . I saw one British MSNBC contributor said we don't have that word over here pdsimdars Jan 2019 #69

That's a pretty profound misunderstanding of 'essential' there. yewberry Jan 2019 #73

You need to read all the posts. shockey80 Jan 2019 #75

I did. nt yewberry Jan 2019 #76

Not funny at all GusBob Jan 2019 #87

Choice between gas and baby formula milestogo Jan 2019 #90