WTF? $30K BONUSES for civil servants?

[babylonsister]

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Bonuses flow despite low morale


By RICHARD LARDNER


WASHINGTON – Three top executives in the office of the Pentagon inspector general received cash awards of about $30,000 for outstanding leadership even though their agency has a history of weak management and strained relations between employees and supervisors.

The three were recognized in October with Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Awards, a prestigious honor for long-term achievement in government service. The recipients get the hefty bonus — 20 percent of their annual basic pay — and a framed certificate signed by President George W. Bush.

Award candidates are rated in several categories, including their ability to lead people and get results. The nominating forms for Patricia Brannin, Charles Beardall, and Donald Horstman, obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act, glowingly describe the performance of each manager.

For example, Horstman, deputy inspector general for policy and oversight, is a "master communicator" who personally mentors his employees. He has "engendered an unsurpassed sense of purpose and dedication," his nominating form says.

But a confidential survey of employees in the inspector general's office found a disillusioned work force in Horstman's department and others. Employees are not committed to their jobs, their teams or their supervisors, according to the survey conducted in June by the Corporate Leadership Council, a business research company in Arlington, Va.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081208/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/inside_washington_pentagon_awards

[atreides1]

1. So the truth is

They swallow!!!

[grannie4peace]

2. you betcha' !!!!!

[sui generis]

3. They have to compete with the real world for talent

Martyrdom is not something one can put in a statement of work, and it doesn't attract and retain talent.

I interviewed for SES (senior exec service) some years ago to head up the grants program at Bethesda and the annualized bonus + merit would have exceeded 30K. All the performance measures were on management skills, technology, and establishing p&p to gain measurable (in $$) results using existing resources and technology.

Even so the max band pay was about 30% less than the least I was willing to accept for my experience and credentials in the business world, and I'm actually quite happy I didn't accept the position and new real estate debt.

[BootinUp]

4. this is modus operandi for the Bushies....

Rewards are based on who you know, not on actual skills, abilities, or performance.