(no subject)

[vicarz]

I was declined for the litigator position on the basis of my inability to travel. I am glad I was prepared for that, as my boss told me ages ago how this would tie into her EEO accusations. Her argument was that when a black female applied travel was required, but when José the white guy applied it was not needed. I explained all the other factors, little things like my prior litigation experience/success, that silly law school item, and the fact that the last time we were given opportunities minorities including a black female were all given the same opportunity. It seems she has been successful in pushing her crabs-in-a-basket issue, even though she is no longer able to serve in the litigation branch at all - her actions have prevented me from doing so at the 14 level. Neat. I think I really need to start looking at laterals and not just transfers. I've spent the last 2 weeks exclusively on special projects, meetings with high-ranking officials on complex issues - and for what? To be trashed behind closed doors, and smiled at to my face. Office politics - at least I have some clue of what is going on.

Comments

[cobwellac.livejournal.com]

You know, I really do think that there is much more discrimination against Hispanics within the Federal government than there is against blacks. I find that lateral transfers are much harder than inter-agency transfers, and many times not worth the time it takes to fill an application.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

This is even weirder than that. They think of me as white, and the people involved are almost all black. I don't think once people meet me they discriminate against me on the basis of my race. Could be wrong.

Laterals for me probably mean easier work, but hostility for abandoning this group.

[grymnir.livejournal.com]

look at the bright side: you can retire in 30+ years!

[vicar.livejournal.com]

<20 actually.

[cobwellac.livejournal.com]

I, like you, don't think that once people meet me they discriminate based upon my race. I think it's more of a "foot-in-the-door" issue, really. As far as your group being hostile for leaving (if you should find a lateral) is concerned, who cares? You have to do what you have to do to make yourself happy, especially if you want a 14. That being said, if you do get a 14 position, you might find that once you get your law degree, if you want a legal position, you may have to start at a lower grade, or definitely try to make a move to another agency where you'd have the opportunity to be hired as an experienced attorney since most of the work you do is legal (or quasi-legal) anyway. We have open positions here and will probably have more come fall.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I'm not really worried about it. I'm wondering how much time I actually goof off here vs. what it would be like somewhere else - including a law firm. The stories seem to run the gambit. There is also insecurity - what if I'm just not good enough for a firm?

What agency are you in again? I kinda dig agriculture, but wow am I regretting turning down that HR Director 14 position with the labor folk. Had I known then...

[cobwellac.livejournal.com]

Well, if you get a law firm job it will be because they do think you're good enough, so you shouldn't feel insecure.

am I regretting turning down that HR Director 14 position with the labor folk. Had I known then...

What's that little saying about hindsight? ;)

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

Well, if you get a law firm job it will be because they do think you're good enough, so you shouldn't feel insecure.

They'll like you better if you're insecure, though...

[dnaspydir.livejournal.com]

all eeo issues asside, everyone gets trashed behind closed doors by some spineless coward at some point in their career.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Good point - this actually isn't about EEO, though I see that isn't obvious in the post. It's all about personality issues, but the negativity-monger in the office has been screaming EEO up and down the hallway because either they believe it, or they know it opens doors - especially in an agency with EEO troubles in the papers some years ago. Could be both.

[eac.livejournal.com]

Heya. Much sympathy about the office drama - thought as dnaspydir has pointed out, it happens to all of us.

Another thoughts, though: might it be prudent for you to f-lock these things?

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Good point about security, but I'm not going to lock it.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

It's not that simple, neither is the female or black male allegedly making the decision.

[thefeline.livejournal.com]

Ugh...I'm sorry.

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. I really don't know what else to say.

It's so aggravating when politics triumphs over ability.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Thank you - means a lot from you.

I was proud of how I played my reaction the whole time with a long-term view of my career in mind, despite my decision to job hunt based on the idiocy. I was a damn good actor, I think. I smiled and handed them their decision as though it was me that was making it - for the good of the Agency, not them kow-towing to threats and coersion. I'm not in the line of fire today, but the whole time I've known her (the new boss) she's been targeting 2 or 3 people. I'm seasoned enough to know that it's only a matter of time...