Dysfunctional office mediation

[Anonymous]

I work in the federal government. Is there any sort of whole office mediation program? I've heard rumors of whole office reorgs, but have never heard concrete evidence or where I can go for help. OPM has a lot on what to do with bad employees, but never bad bosses.

There’s a lot of background here, but we were a high performing office before boss, now in the past year HALF of our 25 have left. It’s very dysfunctional with several EEO cases pending.

I'm obviously looking for new work, but am trying to remain positive and find solutions. HR has told us that they only protect management and there's nothing they can do for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in the federal government. Is there any sort of whole office mediation program? I've heard rumors of whole office reorgs, but have never heard concrete evidence or where I can go for help. OPM has a lot on what to do with bad employees, but never bad bosses.

There’s a lot of background here, but we were a high performing office before boss, now in the past year HALF of our 25 have left. It’s very dysfunctional with several EEO cases pending.

I'm obviously looking for new work, but am trying to remain positive and find solutions. HR has told us that they only protect management and there's nothing they can do for us.

Seems odd that if EEO is taking on several cases, that HR thinks they don't have a role to play here. It's true enough that they exist to protect management, but they also exist to protect the agency as a whole. They're not going to-over the long term-protect a manger who is causing them to deal with a lot of EEO actions or discrimination lawsuits. Where have your former colleagues gone? Call them and see if there are any openings in that place. Sorry I don't know about any mediation programs.

[Anonymous]

We have all spoken to HR multiple times. They aren't involved even after EEOs. They just keep pointing us to the part of our manual that says "managerial discretion" anytime we're upset about workplace practices.

Boss's boss is extremely high up and isn't approachable.

[Anonymous]

Does your agency have a Union? If so, I would contact them. My old agency had a pretty strong union.

Your office needs to band together and all go to the boss's boss.

[Anonymous]

Just want to say I feel you and I could have written most of your post. My federal workplace is extremely dysfunctional too. In our case, the managers (somewhat half-heartedly) do what they can but the attitudes of those who have been here forever and are quick to threaten a grievance overtake their efforts. Very few can work together without squabbling and everyone is tired of each other at this point. It's a draining environment and I can't wait to leave!

[Anonymous]

OP here- Boss's boss is the 2nd highest in our Department. Not exactly someone we can approach. We've also never met him or seen him. Other coworkers did send him a list of grievances, but that was months ago. These are legit grievances, not petty things.

I don't know much about unions, but am generally not a fan.

You'd think someone would notice our extremely low morale, high absenteeism and the fact that 50% left...