Got JOB SATISFACTION?

March 21, 2012

Sure, it's important to find out what the youth feel, think, and want... and if they are having any special problems.  So the Survey they participated in early this year was a GOOD THING... sort of.  If you look on the ShoutBox, you'll see the results of it if you click on the link posted there.  Check it out.  It's worth a look



But there's another side to the coin, of course.  How about EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION?  Surely the JCO's deserve to be given a survey to help the Powers That Be learn what they feel, think, and want, too -- don't they?  Or does Admin not care?  Worse yet, are they AFRAID TO FIND OUT?



I have to think it's the latter.  I may be wrong.  But all the time I worked at GSS, no one above my pay grade seemed to care much for what -I- thought.  Ya know what I mean?  Isn't it about time that Admin ASK??  What's the worst that could happen -- that they'd have to face the facts?  That can be pretty scary sometimes.



Now, it's easy to kick back with your head in the sand and see everything looking to be allright... but those who have to actually DO THE JOB of dealing with the youth on a daily basis on the dorms know things are NOT allright, no matter WHAT Admin would prefer to believe.

So take the test... it's just 10 questions... then make your feelings known.  Pass this on to your co-workers, drop it in the suggestion box, do WHATEVER IT TAKES to be heard on it -- and see what Admin does, or doesn't do.  If they ignore it, well, that speaks for itself.  If they pay attention to the handwriting on the wall, maybe situations can improve.  MAYBE.  Doesn't hurt to try, eh?




The alternative is to continue to bitch and whine and... do nothing.  Trust me, if you don't like the way things are going on campus -- YOU ARE NOT ALONE.




If I've said it once on this blog, I've said it a half a dozen times:  It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!!  Take it from me -- there ARE other places to work, other things you can do, and the means retain your dignity and lifestyle besides working where you're not appreciated, understood, or supported.  If you're unhappy at GSS it's time to fish or cut bait, folks, to sink or swim, poop or get off the pot or however you want to put it -- it's time for a CHANGE.



 

CHANGING OF THE GUARD -- FINALLY

March 16, 2012

I'm hearing of some new winds a'blowin' on the GSS campus.  A good many of The Old Guard has finally been given their pocketwatches and golden parachutes, let go, fired, or retired.  All I can say about that is "It's about time."  WAY too many are not still employed due to injuries, both physical and psychological... and to that I say "What a shame; what a pity."  But to everything there is a season, and the time has come for changes on campus.  FINALLY.

What instigated all these changes?  Did...


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TIME IS RUNNING OUT

March 6, 2012



Almost halfway through the 90 day "plan"... and what has changed?  From what I'm hearing, the answer seems to be "little to nothing".  This is not good for the future of the kids, staff, Admin, or Austin.  Business as usual, is it?  Truth of the matter is... that's not gonna work anymore.  Change is necessary, NOW, more than ever.



Who will be the first to step forward and grab the bull by the horns?  If the 90 Day Plan "A" doesn't work -- is there an alternative Plan "B" waiting in the wings? ...


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UNDER CONTROL

February 28, 2012

Think it was that recent article on GSS in the TRIBUNE that I read the "plan" is to help agitated (!!) youth calm down by providing them a room containing, of all things...



BEAN BAG CHAIRS and...



...NERF BALLS??!

Great idea, uh-huh... oh, yeah.  That'll calm 'em down, sure thing.  Just what they need.  More comfort.  More toys.  More coddling.  Then, when they get out of the security cell they can go back to abusing/maiming thier peers and staff.  One should not lose sight of the fact that these...


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LEAD, FOLLOW, OR... ???

February 20, 2012

...or WHAT?  Basicly, if no one's in charge, things just sort of flop around, headless, without purpose or reason.  Remind you of any State School you work at?



Leadership isn't something that can be faked real well, unless your bark is seen as worse than your bite.  Empty threats and promises soon fail to impress anyone, but some will try to get away with fuss and bluster as long as they can.  Overall, it's a losing proposition, and makes a "leader" look like a toothless tiger.  Who would foll...


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ADULT PRISONS ARE NOT NICE PLACES

February 17, 2012

Here's some examples of what happens in the Real World Of Adult Incarceration -- not the bubblegum lockup that GSS has become.  If the kids only knew...







Consequences?  Control?  You bet.  Is it appropriate... or right?  Perhaps not.  Sometimes a person's "rights" end at the beginning of another person's knuckles, and if so, well... too late, too bad!  That's real life for ya and the kids locked up at Giddings NEED to understand there may be worse consequences for their actions than what they r...


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The 90 Day "Action Plan"

February 16, 2012

After having read it all over, I've come to the simple conclusion that it ain't gonna fly, y'all.  Sorry to burst yer bubbles.


Reason? The Plan doesn't actually address what the CORE PROBLEM is on campus -- the need for accountability at all levels.  As the picture below illustrates, the problem starts AT THE TOP.



Call it what you will, but I see this "plan" mainly as a re-hash of previous promises and failed intentions.  Oh sure, it comes with the BEST of INTENTIONS and LOOKS GOOD on paper... ...


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READY FOR A NEW "PLAN"?

February 14, 2012

OK, I'll bite -- it's looking like there's some kind of "plan" in the works, a 90 day plan, no less, that will be put in place to get GSS back on the track of doing right by the kids and staff... so I'm hoping.  Details will be coming in soon, and I'll eagerly be examining them for viability.  All I can say is, I hope whatever it is -- it works.

I do know of some approaches that work better than bribery, coddling, and excusing from responsibility.  Just about ANYTHING OTHER than the way things...


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ONE MONTH POST GSS

February 9, 2012

Time sure does fly.  Seems like a long, long time ago that I last stepped through the gatehouse.  I left when I did because it seemed like things had bottomed out and weren't likely to get any better... and I wasn't ready to take the chance that they MIGHT any time soon.  Guess I was just at the end of my rope and decided to let go.



It was a matter of deciding to gut it out and just put up with things as they were, or, to strike out and forge a new life.  It wasn't easy to give up on all the t...


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REUNION

February 7, 2012

An amazing occurance happened this past weekend.  Wife Irene and I were at the San Antonio Flea Mart, selling tattooing equipment, and who should walk up and ask "Do you remember me, Mr. Moss?"  Well, I just about crapped my britches!!  There was "R.M.", an ex-inmate who I had the pleasure of working with on Dorm 6.

RM had changed somewhat... his hair was longer and he'd put on a few pounds -- but sure enough, it was the same kid I used to know.  He, like many other of his Hispanic brothers, a...


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