If you are late to work, don't use the excuse -- I didn't hear my alarm clock; it didn't work for the hearing impaired county employee.

Physics, Swimming Pools, Manholes, Contracts, Cats and Pink Cupcakes

My Personal Labor Journal   © 2011 Julie Shubin

Fairfax County Civil Service Commission:  Sometimes good employees make bad mistakes.

After my years at the Department of Justice, my public service continued in local government, as a hearing officer for the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission.   After years of being the “arguer” in court, I now had the chance to be the “judge,” and to rule on objections and motions.   

The cases involved county employees who had received some type of “employment action” – ranging from demotions and suspensions to termination of employment.  The cases exposed me to good and bad workers and good and bad managers.  Some of the cases involved bad workers who won cases because managers had not followed written procedures and other cases involved good employees who made mistakes that required discipline. 

There were cases involving offices where there was that feeling of discrimination, but not enough to make it illegal discrimination, as well as cases involving people who claimed discrimination where there was none.  Of course, we also heard cases where the grievant proved discrimination.

Other cases I heard involved pornography, drinking on the job, a runaway school bus, and a deaf employee who could not “hear” his alarm clock and get to work on time.  There was also a case involving a stellar day care worker who came to work, got sick with a stomach bug.  She told a co-worker that she urgently needed to use the restroom.  While she was in the rest room, a child got out of the day care center during “her watch.”  She ended up being disciplined.  Both sides were not happy with the case and I was able to help them reach a settlement agreement, the perfect way to resolve this case.

During my ten years at the Civil Service Commission, I spent many late nights at hearings, listening to the personal labor histories of County employees and their supervisors. 

FYI  -- LL Bean makes Moonbeam alarm clocks that flash light, instead of ringing.  Well, if you sleep through the flashing light for a certain amount of time, it does ring -- just ask Harry!  He knows from real life experience.  I want the pink version (we have the orignial color) .  http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63179?qs=3006424_pmd_google

Next post:  Never thought soccer would lead me to my next job.