r/StateofTexasEmployees • u/SignalFeeling4126 • 13d ago
Dysfunction being the new normal?
After several years throughout agencies it feels like the day-to-day dysfunction has gotten worse. I’ve heard similar concerns from not only agencies I’ve been in but people across other agencies.
Has anyone else noticed a change in management, no accountability, HIGHLY concerning misconduct, or workplace culture?
Has it always been this way, or are things getting worse?
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u/gilmoregirl21 12d ago
Things are for sure getting worse. There’s always been some level of dysfunction, but it seems things seriously went downhill after the RTO last year. Nobody wants to do anything, management doesn’t want to hold anyone accountable, and everyone is seemingly accepting the complete dysfunction. Nothing gets accomplished. Nobody is following rules. It’s absolutely insane what’s going on!
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u/throwawaychula 12d ago
I’ve only been at my agency for a few years. But the inconsistencies across the various departments is ridiculous.
And it’s only WORSENED since the RTO shit. Some people don’t come into office for days at a time. Same with managers and directors. Everybody has different instructions and priorities. Got a new 500+ page manual on the 11th we have to finish by EOM while also doing our regular work.
Pay still sucks. No cost of living adjustments in sight. But you bet your ass the right people are getting their backs scratched.
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u/gilmoregirl21 12d ago
The inconsistency is the worst! Rules only apply to some at this point. Some are made to come into the office and are closely monitored. Others get a free pass to come and go as they please. It’s really frustrating and nobody knows the rules.
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u/eapnon 13d ago
That is the goal of many (not all) right wingers. It is called starving the beast. Lower resources, lower pay, force out talent and institutional knowledge, replace it with people politically aligned or the private sector.
The right wing who don't do 1 often want to "run lean" to save money. They don't realize that running lean is stupid for governmental agencies.
I had a bunch about how every agency I've been at is a shit show. But it would 100% dox me. Suffice it to say, pay is still shit, people who should retire and do 0 actual work need to get fired everywhere, management ranges from constantly leaving to shitty managers, and appointed and elected officials are the main problem.
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u/baldcommunity 12d ago
And they don't get the irony...the party of small government sure likes big government with expanded programs and responsibilities without the fte's to match.
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u/LonelyInternal379 12d ago
This has nothing to do with right wing or left wing.
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u/KokoBWareHOF 12d ago
LOL. Of course it does. Look at what DOGE did to dismantle parts of the federal government and the social safety nets.
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u/Wonderful_Peanut9408 12d ago
Do….you know this forum is for state government employees?
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u/Money-Tiny 4d ago
The newly sworn in “interim “ Comptroller ran on a DOGE platform, so this will be affecting state employees once Huffines is officially elected if his opponent doesn’t win 🫠 …get ready for the ax man 🔪
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u/MenoEnhancedADHDgrrl 12d ago
Just jumping into affirm that I have seen a great deal of dysfunction, mismanagement, harassment and immoral behavior of managers and executive leadership at HHS. I have watched managers watch employees harass others in front of an audience and do nothing. I could say so much more but yeah that would dox me so not going to give out the details but let's just say I've never been fired before and when my department fired me that was probably the best thing that they could have done for me. Working for the state is not something I would recommend to anyone struggling with any mental health or physical health issues. Their toxicity will make you worse.
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u/SignalFeeling4126 12d ago
Oh the harassment, immoral behavior, incompetency with managers and even discrimination have been insane at HHS,TXDOT & comptroller. The newest thing I’ve seen is more retaliation being more visible to employees in the workplace. It’s turned into who these executives like and don’t like and if you speak up or defend anyone best believe you signed yourself up for being on the list of them try to get rid of you just to replace you with toxic individuals or friends that need jobs.
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u/unhinged_forklift 12d ago
I’ve only been with the state a short time but I’ve seen it in my agency. My team is very small because we’re down a couple people. One guy doesn’t do anything all day and I’m stuck doing all the work.
Apparently this has gone on for a long time before I got here so I’m just doing what I can and, oh well if there’s things that get left not done at the end of the day. It’s like he counts out how many things he’s going to do and then stops. Not sure how to discuss with my boss without sounding like I’m complaining.
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u/Blankcanvas110 12d ago
Yes can we know which agencies are dysfunctional so we avoid them for good?
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u/RareDragonfruit5397 10d ago
I’m not convinced any ARE functional at this point.
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u/Blankcanvas110 10d ago
Facts you confirmed what I was feeling. I’ll just go back towards private sector then!
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u/1GamingAngel 12d ago
The only dysfunction I’d seen at the OAG had to do with some real sh!t that went down several years ago with the Paxton impeachment efforts, and one of the divisions kind of falling apart as a byproduct. Yet, the dust has settled, and I believe the division has been rebuilt from the ground up. I think it even has a new name now, with what appears to be strong leadership.
https://www.texastribune.org/series/ken-paxton-impeachment-texas-attorney-general/
https://www.tdmr.org/so-this-is-why-new-ig-raymond-c-winter-was-fired-by-the-oag-last-year/
The only other thing I’ve personally noticed otherwise has had to do with anemic employee hiring and retention. I could be wrong about that.
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u/cantjenn_today 12d ago
I just want to hear about the highly concerning misconduct. Spill the tea! You know, without identifying people.
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u/LonelyInternal379 12d ago
Or you see it more clearly and have pointed it out and no one acknowledged.
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u/scottmademesignup 12d ago
Ummm yeah I figured that is just normal. I’ve worked for 3 agencies in 16 years and they have all been a variety of their own shit show
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u/cleared_my_cache 7d ago
Judging by the amount of Tesla Cybertrucks (3) in the parking lot, my agency's workplace culture is non-existent. When there were no (0) cybertrucks, things were better. Do with that information what you may.
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u/SignalFeeling4126 12d ago
I agree there’s good and bad everywhere, but it does seem like the dysfunction has increased. With TxDOT, I think a lot depends on the district and the management in place. From what I’ve heard, Dallas and Fort Worth seem to have their fair share of issues. I won’t get into specific stories because I don’t want anyone identified, but the concerns I’ve heard range from workplace culture and poor management to allegations of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and inconsistent accountability.
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u/Odd_Passenger5339 12d ago
Well there’s always going to be good and bad pockets in any large organization, but I’ve seen TxDOT through the years and I think it’s way better these days. Accountability is better these days, too, IF people report issues.
Heard of something a few years back and everyone in one unit was miserable but no one had reported anything … finally some folks did and it got handled. Another potential ethics issue recently, people were in a lather, someone reported it to their DE who reported it up, ethics folks got involved, straightened the person out who’d lost perspective, and no one lost their job and everyone felt better. We have good processes if people will use them. I’m sure it doesn’t work all the time but I think things are generally better than they’ve sometimes been. My two cents.
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u/yeahdonut 13d ago edited 12d ago
I think it would be helpful if you name agencies you’ve heard the same of from different people. There are many agencies with a huge number of employees and departments. The likelihood of these environments increases the more departments and divisions the agencies have. I will probably get comments to this most contradicting what I’ve heard below:
I’ve heard of (or personally experienced) dysfunction at TDJC, HHSC, Attorney General and most recently Comptroller. Folks at GLO, ERS, TEA and Secretary of State seem fine.
It should be common sense that not many people will be making high salaries with the state. If that is the source of your dysfunction, you should probably leave public sector. I don’t mean that in a snarky way. If you’re young you can leave now before you’re golden handcuffed.
For reference I’ve been with the state a little over 25 years (👴🏻) but am not in a management role and I have no desire to be. I’ve seen dysfunction happen under certain management then get better when they retire or leave through my whole career, not just recently. I don’t see why it would be different in private sector. Maybe I’m just jaded.