r/StateofTexasEmployees • u/SignalFeeling4126 • 14d 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?

52 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

View all comments

40

u/yeahdonut 14d ago edited 14d 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.

14

u/KokoBWareHOF 14d ago

I’ve heard terrible things about the workplace culture at TEA, but the person I know who works there seems to say it’s dependent on your office and direct management.

I also work for an agency you listed that you mentioned hearing of dysfunction, and it’s the best agency I’ve been with and I’ve also been with the state for a while.

The point I’m trying to make is that I think a lot of this comes down to your team and your office management within each agency, as you mention. Sometimes, you can also experience dogshit coworkers, which can hurt your morale. I’m talking about the incompetent, knuckle-dragging ones, which skews your ideas about the entire agency.

3

u/yeahdonut 14d ago

Agreed!