I am a low-level government employee (lifeguard) for my local government, and so see and know things that an average citizen would not otherwise know - though they may be angry if they did.
Being a citizen myself, I called my local council-woman complaining about the injustices that I saw - from my government breaking my union's contract, in essence black-mailing my unions, and under-staffing of local pools (which in itself puts citizens at risk).
My complaints were passed down the chain of command, and instead of addressing my concerns, I got a call from my boss today telling me I am forbidden to contact my local (elected) Councilwoman or the Commissioner of my department. Instead, he told me my only option was to either contact my supervisor, or my union (which I know will not accomplish anything).
As a government employee, am I really not allowed to express my concerns as a citizen, if my concern is related to my job?
As a CITIZEN, I am worried that my government does not feel it necessary to uphold contracts and promises, and that it creates unsafe environments for citizens by not hiring enough lifeguards. These are legitimate concerns any citizen can have.
Can I really not bring up these concerns to an elected official because I am employed as a lifeguard, as my boss told me?
I can file a complaint, but that's not what I want to do. I want to exercise my right to talk to my elected officials. Do I have to waive that right because I work (vaguely) for my local government?
Caoedhen....
Part of why I did it was to stir up people. Only then can things be done. I know i can't be fired because of the union. And it's a summer job- i'm not looking for career advancement.
After talking to my councilwoman, the commissioner of my department called me to alleviate concerns. I told him i was an employee. He told me if he had known, he wouldn't have bothered calling me. I guess my gripe is that he felt my concerns were legitimate until I had told him I was an employee. But instead of talking to or reasoning with me, he told my boss to shut me up.
The commissioner of my department is appointed by council-members. Are you saying my council-woman cannot find a way to, at the very least, force upon the commissioner (a public servant) a civil discussion with a constituent?
What if I wait until i'm teminated (as are all seasonal employees) at the end of the summer? Will I then get at least an audience?
Being a citizen myself, I called my local council-woman complaining about the injustices that I saw - from my government breaking my union's contract, in essence black-mailing my unions, and under-staffing of local pools (which in itself puts citizens at risk).
My complaints were passed down the chain of command, and instead of addressing my concerns, I got a call from my boss today telling me I am forbidden to contact my local (elected) Councilwoman or the Commissioner of my department. Instead, he told me my only option was to either contact my supervisor, or my union (which I know will not accomplish anything).
As a government employee, am I really not allowed to express my concerns as a citizen, if my concern is related to my job?
As a CITIZEN, I am worried that my government does not feel it necessary to uphold contracts and promises, and that it creates unsafe environments for citizens by not hiring enough lifeguards. These are legitimate concerns any citizen can have.
Can I really not bring up these concerns to an elected official because I am employed as a lifeguard, as my boss told me?
I can file a complaint, but that's not what I want to do. I want to exercise my right to talk to my elected officials. Do I have to waive that right because I work (vaguely) for my local government?
Caoedhen....
Part of why I did it was to stir up people. Only then can things be done. I know i can't be fired because of the union. And it's a summer job- i'm not looking for career advancement.
After talking to my councilwoman, the commissioner of my department called me to alleviate concerns. I told him i was an employee. He told me if he had known, he wouldn't have bothered calling me. I guess my gripe is that he felt my concerns were legitimate until I had told him I was an employee. But instead of talking to or reasoning with me, he told my boss to shut me up.
The commissioner of my department is appointed by council-members. Are you saying my council-woman cannot find a way to, at the very least, force upon the commissioner (a public servant) a civil discussion with a constituent?
What if I wait until i'm teminated (as are all seasonal employees) at the end of the summer? Will I then get at least an audience?