In response to the April 21 Herald article titled “State walkout rolls around to Everett DSHS office”:
This last year I had the opportunity to work as a paid temporary/full-time community corrections officer (CCO or Probation Officer) in a Washington state office. I was really excited about this opportunity and was hopeful that a full-time position would materialize for me in the future.
While working there I was introduced to wonderful, hard-working professionals who were continually being beaten down by the extremely excessive caseload and potential for being sued. They can be liable if one of the people they are supervising re-offends. Note: attorneys and judges are not liable.
While working in this office I listened to their frustrations, fears and anger at a bureaucracy that has lost all concern for them and their success. The incident that sealed my decision in not working for this organization came when a management person visited us from their headquarters in “Mount Olympia” and gave a briefing to the staff. All we heard from this person was that all community correction officers would experience a higher caseload, more responsibility and more liability.
After the briefing we were asked if there were any questions. Naturally I raised my hand and asked, “With all this added responsibility and liability on our shoulders what kind of tools are you going to give us to succeed at our jobs?” The person replied, “What’s a tool?” Now I ask you – who wants to work for any organization in which the dysfunctional leadership is out of touch with the employees? And the decisions that are made only hinder employees from achieving success at their job. I have often stated, “The biggest tragedy in corporate America is when the employees know that management does not care about them.” No wonder there are strikes by Boeing employees, teachers and state workers. I am surprised that this kind of frustration and reactions of employees does not happen more often.
Camano Island
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