Story Published:
Jul 27, 2011 at 4:10 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 27, 2011 at 4:10 PM CDT
There are about 42,000 State employees, give or take. Approximately 100 of them have been disciplined--written up if you will--for poor performance, tardiness, demoted, suspended, or received more than one written warning in the past year. These 42K State employees were supposed to get 1.6% raises staring July 1. The 100 poor performers have been denied that raise. That's 0.23% of those 42K employees. And, they should be denied. Why should taxpayers be on the hook for poor performance. Governor Haslam has taken the gravy train away from people who are gaming the system. They don't value the fact that in bad economic times they have a job. After all, the unemployment rate sits at about 10%.
I'd bet that, truth be known, that there are more than 100 poor performers. There are more than 100 slackers infesting the State workforce. You know, the shovel leaners, Solitaire players on State computers, and, dare I say, porn viewers. Also, how about the workers who take multiple smoke breaks during the work day or night. We have seen them clustered at their buildings' entrances puffing away. They expect that break at least every hour. These people are cheating the taxpayers out of a lot of money from July 1 to June 30 when the State's fiscal year runs.
You can bet that the larger percentage of our State workers value their jobs, and a good number of them put in the hours plus some in the performance of their duties. The Governor has sent a warning to all State employees that poor performance won't be tolerated. It's about time for the State's chief executive to send a message to every State employee. Remember, even good and loyal employees need a reminder every so often.
The Tennessee State Employees Association has cried "foul." They call the Governor's action "mean spirited." That's always what they say after some perceived slight. The bottom line is under achievers do not merit the same raises as those who faithfully and consistently do their jobs. The Tennessee State Employees Association are threatening legal action even though the amount of money is very small. State employees have gone three years without a raise.
Don't cave in, Governor. We elected you to make changes.
