*Update* So it begins again.....

[Phoenix84]

I've written before about some troubles I have with the Air Force previously. I won't go into much detail, but suffice to say I was wrongfully fired, appealed the decision in court, and was reinstated to my position. I then promptly left for my current job.

Well, about 7 weeks ago, I got a new boss. This particular boss is very new to the agency, in fact I sat on her interview panel. So she was rapidly promoted above me and is now my boss.

Anyway, she's probably the biggest hardass I've ever worked for. Shortly after she started, I was forced to move from my independent office in another building to a cube right across from her.

Today, she called me into the conference room to let me know that she will be writing letters of reprimand because I don't sign out using the little whiteboard whenever I'm out of the office for 10-15 minutes, and for moving offices on Monday morning instead of by close of business Friday when she told me to. Also, I was 30 minutes "late" for work, when in fact I stopped by a different building (we work on a large federal campus) to do some work before I came into the office and didn't sign in.  Worse still, she's writing is up as "insubordination" which to me implies a willful or malicious disobeying of your boss, not just doing something a bit late or misunderstanding the rules.

She has told me before to use the whiteboard, and I have, but not within the 10-15 minute time frame. I'll frequently go to lunch, go to my lab, go to the radioactive waste storage building, or go to the records, which are located a ways from my office. These are routine parts of my performing my job. I didn't expect that I had to sign out every single time, even if I was gone for a few minutes to check the records.

Anyway, this seems like a disproportionate response and is quite upsetting. Up until this point I've gotten high performance marks and been praised for the good work I do by my bosses and the scientists I work with.

I'm going to talk to HR tomorrow to try and find out more information on the disciplinary process and what the definition of "insubordination" actually is, and find out if she is required to give a verbal warning before going straight to stuff that will go in my permanent record.

[Phoenix84]

I'll also add that she repeatedly said "I verbally told you this" but no where in any of the written expectations I've received does it state I will sign out on the whiteboard if out of the office for more than 10 minutes.  I don't recall her saying that, so it's all just "he said, she said" stuff.

I don't get what her goal is, to try and beat me into submission?  To fire me?  To show the higher ups she's a hardass?  I have to wonder how it's going to look for her when she's only in a supervisor position for a few weeks and suddenly there are a ton of "problems" with a previously high performing employee.

I guess if you have specific advice, I will listen. For now, I'm mostly just venting.

All of this is just a misunderstanding and it's a tough transitional period for all of us.  I guess it was too much expect her to realize that.

I'm just say angry and upset.

[8 Bit WWBG]

I've heard legends of these old war horse types from longtime feds, and your experience seems to fit the bill.  The type of person who puts a leave slip on your desk the second your start time passes.  The "if I can't see you, you must be slacking off" type.

I'm sorry man... this person isn't likely to change.  These people seem to be more trouble to change than deal with.  I really hope that HR can help you out.

If it were me, I would probably look for any way out, and in the mean time, fulfill her demands to the letter, but bare minimum.  Power games go both ways.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Wow, that definitely seems intense on her part. 

Do you know why she was promoted and not someone else who had been with the company? Do you know if she has been in a manager position before? Is she a severely outnumbered female? Is she treating everyone the way she's treating you? Are you aware of other staff members taking advantage of the previously more lax expectations?

im not trying to be accusatory, just trying to get a better grasp of the situation. 

[Deleted]

I understand how you feel, but I think this is where the expression "choose your battles" come in. If she wants you to sign out on the black/white board, just do it.  You aren't used to it, and I would keep perpetually pleading that as my excuse while I am learning. I would keep emphasizing that you are learning. But, duh. She is micromanaging, not asking you to do something illegal.

Then you can push back on the hard stuff.

But I'm not a man, and I don't work in your field. I work in education where I am perpetually asked to jump through hoops for the sake of seeing how high I can jump. 

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 19:43:56 GMT -5 8 Bit WWBG said:

I've heard legends of these old war horse types from longtime feds, and your experience seems to fit the bill.  The type of person who puts a leave slip on your desk the second your start time passes.  The "if I can't see you, you must be slacking off" type.

I'm sorry man... this person isn't likely to change.  These people seem to be more trouble to change than deal with.  I really hope that HR can help you out.

If it were me, I would probably look for any way out, and in the mean time, fulfill her demands to the letter, but bare minimum.  Power games go both ways.

Thanks, yeah, she's that type. The by the books, if you're 2 minutes late you're late for work. And she acts like if I'm not in her constant view I must be slacking off or causing mischief.

I am going to be aggressive plotting my escape. I've already applied for a few jobs with other agencies.

I can respect a boss that expect you do things when they say it by the deadline they give, but shit happens, people get busy, and sometimes do you have to finish things up the following business day. It's not like me moving my office was a matter of national security.

And you're right that bare minimum power goes both ways.  I'm far less inclined now to work late or on weekends to finish a project or something.

I'm the only person who does radiation safety for my agency.  If I'm fired or quit then there is no one else to do the job.  And there's a massive hiring freez and huge budget cuts.  Even if they wanted to go to the effort to fire me, it would still mean no one would be in this job for at least a year, probably significantly longer.  In the meantime someone would have to take on a full time job's worth of work.

I just don't get it.  I hope to be long gone and it won't be my problem anymore.  It's kind of amazing how you can go from liking your job to absolutely hating it in the span of a couple of months.

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 19:51:26 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Wow, that definitely seems intense on her part. 

Do you know why she was promoted and not someone else who had been with the company? Do you know if she has been in a manager position before? Is she a severely outnumbered female? Is she treating everyone the way she's treating you? Are you aware of other staff members taking advantage of the previously more lax expectations?

im not trying to be accusatory, just trying to get a better grasp of the situation. 

I don't know why she was promoted. She is a of Hispanic descent, which may have played a role. But that in and of itself doesn't bother me. I was not promoted because the job is for a "Industrial Hygiene and Radiation Safety" manager, where I have no experience in Industrial Hygiene.

She was in the military before, in the Air Force.  I don't think she was an officer though, but did comment she has been a supervisor before, but not in the civilian world.

There are only two other people who work for her, both Industrial Hygenists, they are both out of state and we don't talk much.  I don't know if they're having any issues, but she isn't in their offices standing over them making damn sure they sign use the white board so....

I'm not aware of any previous issues with other staff members. 

[Apple]

I'm sorry   I know firsthand how a crappy boss can make a dream job a nightmare.  I rarely see management take any form of corrective action against those bosses, but it does happen on occasion.

I don't know about your place of work, but here you have to have three(?) bad evals before being fired, unless something extreme happens.  There are definitely steps that have to be followed, and she's been there such a short time that there is no way she has been able to cover her bases. 

She sounds like someone who is insecure and is trying to "force" herself as a "leader".  Hopefully you can talk to HR, or the next supervisor in the chain and get things settled.  I don't work in a "civilized" environment, and when stuff like this has happened to me, I've called the person out on it--with mixed results.  I think in your case you'll need to go the more official route.

[8 Bit WWBG]

...:::"And you're right that bare minimum power goes both ways. I'm far less inclined now to work late or on weekends to finish a project or something.":::...

Yeah, exactly.  No need to give up the gold for the undeserving.

[Apple]

Oh--I do recommend starting a daily log of your activities. That way when you're accused of not working, simply because you're not in your cubicle, you have detailed accounts that you WERE working, you were just working in another location.

In a few cases where it was one word against the other, the person with the documentation won out. It's more of a pain than a white board, but it will help keep you covered.

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 20:19:13 GMT -5 Apple said:

I'm sorry   I know firsthand how a crappy boss can make a dream job a nightmare.  I rarely see management take any form of corrective action against those bosses, but it does happen on occasion.

I don't know about your place of work, but here you have to have three(?) bad evals before being fired, unless something extreme happens.  There are definitely steps that have to be followed, and she's been there such a short time that there is no way she has been able to cover her bases. 

She sounds like someone who is insecure and is trying to "force" herself as a "leader".  Hopefully you can talk to HR, or the next supervisor in the chain and get things settled.  I don't work in a "civilized" environment, and when stuff like this has happened to me, I've called the person out on it--with mixed results.  I think in your case you'll need to go the more official route.

Yeah, I'm not sure if the boss's boss is aware of what is going on, if I should report up or what.  I do know I'll give some official response, either before or after the letters are written.  That's what I'm going to talk to HR about.  Depending on their answers, I may try and have a discussion with her again and try to convince her that this was all a misunderstanding and during a transitional period like this, hiccups and missteps are going to happen along the way, so maybe we could just consider this a "unofficial" warning instead.

I don't know the process that well, but I know at a minimum, you have to have at least one bad performance review, and the you have to be put on a performance improvement plan for a certain length of time.  Since my performance period just started like two weeks ago, we still have a while.  One thing she mentioned though was the idea that she was criticizing my conduct, and my performance was separate.  I'm not sure I follow, but I fail to see how anyone could legitimately argue I'm failing at my job if my the radiation safety program is in compliance (per the NRC).

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 20:24:55 GMT -5 Apple said:

Oh--I do recommend starting a daily log of your activities. That way when you're accused of not working, simply because you're not in your cubicle, you have detailed accounts that you WERE working, you were just working in another location.

In a few cases where it was one word against the other, the person with the documentation won out. It's more of a pain than a white board, but it will help keep you covered.

Yes, that is good advice.

[moneymaven]

May 13, 2014 20:12:24 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

May 13, 2014 19:51:26 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Wow, that definitely seems intense on her part. 

Do you know why she was promoted and not someone else who had been with the company? Do you know if she has been in a manager position before? Is she a severely outnumbered female? Is she treating everyone the way she's treating you? Are you aware of other staff members taking advantage of the previously more lax expectations?

im not trying to be accusatory, just trying to get a better grasp of the situation. 

I don't know why she was promoted. She is a of Hispanic descent, which may have played a role. But that in and of itself doesn't bother me. I was not promoted because the job is for a "Industrial Hygiene and Radiation Safety" manager, where I have no experience in Industrial Hygiene.

She was in the military before, in the Air Force.  I don't think she was an officer though, but did comment she has been a supervisor before, but not in the civilian world.

There are only two other people who work for her, both Industrial Hygenists, they are both out of state and we don't talk much.  I don't know if they're having any issues, but she isn't in their offices standing over them making damn sure they sign use the white board so....

I'm not aware of any previous issues with other staff members. 

Are you a DOD contractor at BAFB?

At any rate, you can't win with these types. What a pain in the ass. Sorry you have to deal with this.

[Phoenix84]

No, I'm not a DOD contractor. I work for a civilian agency as a permanent career federal employee.

We'll see.  I'll talk to HR and plan my next move.  I may end up taking this up the chain of management.  I doubt it will do any good, since management backs up it's own, but I doubt I would be worse off.  Even if I were to "win," she'd end up with an egg in her face and never forgive me for it.  Great way to start off with a new boss, with an adversarial relationship.

[Sunnyday]

Obviously, we only know your side of things. Can you think of anything in your attitude or acts that might cause her to act this way? Could a slight attitude adjustment on your side change things with her? Even if it's temporary, wouldn't it be worth trying to work things out or improve the situation until you get a new job?

[mmhmm]

I'm really sorry, Phoenix.  Things like this are stressful and frustrating.  It sounds like you're going about it in a professional manner.  I really hope things work out for you.

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 21:04:44 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm really sorry, Phoenix.  Things like this are stressful and frustrating.  It sounds like you're going about it in a professional manner.  I really hope things work out for you.

Thanks, I'm trying hard, trying real hard to be professional to the end.

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 21:02:05 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

Obviously, we only know your side of things. Can you think of anything in your attitude or acts that might cause her to act this way? Could a slight attitude adjustment on your side change things with her? Even if it's temporary, wouldn't it be worth trying to work things out or improve the situation until you get a new job?

In situations like this I never try to dismiss my role in the cause. After all, if bad things happen to you, you probably at least, in part, brought it on yourself.

I'm not sure if it's an attitude thing, but perhaps I should be more mindful about these little "gotcha's" that she's so fond of.  She's dramatically increased the amount of administrative work I do.  A lot of it isn'tt that hard, but since I find them silly or stupid I sometimes do them late or am dismissive when talking about them. Obviously, behaving that way just gives her more ammunition that can be used against me, so I should try to change my behavior there.  Obviously she's the type who will constantly look for anything and everything to use against me, so I will need to change to account for that.

I suppose being more apologetic if I do screw up might help.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Is it possible that she doesn't have a complete handle on all of your usual job duties, or even on what is is you actually do as a Radiation Safety Compliance Officer (or whatever your title is)?

Maybe she doesn't understand that you need to be away from your desk regularly and expectedly to get your job done.

So, since she doesn't know, she assumes you're slacking off.  

When you talk to HR, maybe you can ask them to make sure she fully understands your job duties and how your job performance requires you to review files not at your desk, or meet with people in other buildings, or test equipment at certain intervals, or whatever it is that you do.  

But, yeah, she is totally micromanaging and that has got to totally suck.  I feel for you.  And, that whole conduct vs performance thing is a little strange, especially given that you haven't had that issue with any other supervisors until she arrived.  Sorry you're having to deal with it, but it sounds like her insecurity and not necessarily your behavior.  I mean, come on, signing in and out on a whiteboard??  Does any other manager require that of their employees at your agency.  Tell HR how distracting it is to have to remember to do that time and time again during the day.  Oy.

[Phoenix84]

One of the most frustrating aspects about all this is how powerless I feel. After all the good I've done, all the good I tried to do, and all the time and effort it doesn't amount to a hill of beans. None of it matters because it's my word against someone else, and they're higher on the payscale.

Oh well, one way or another it will be over fairly soon. Either way, I'll get fired or leave for another job. Either way, they'll lose too. Good luck explaining to the NRC that you couldn't meet all your regulatory requirements because you don't have a proper specialist.

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 21:21:08 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Is it possible that she doesn't have a complete handle on all of your usual job duties, or even on what is is you actually do as a Radiation Safety Compliance Officer (or whatever your title is)?

Maybe she doesn't understand that you need to be away from your desk regularly and expectedly to get your job done.

So, since she doesn't know, she assumes you're slacking off.  

When you talk to HR, maybe you can ask them to make sure she fully understands your job duties and how your job performance requires you to review files not at your desk, or meet with people in other buildings, or test equipment at certain intervals, or whatever it is that you do.  

But, yeah, she is totally micromanaging and that has got to totally suck.  I feel for you.  And, that whole conduct vs performance thing is a little strange, especially given that you haven't had that issue with any other supervisors until she arrived.  Sorry you're having to deal with it, but it sounds like her insecurity and not necessarily your behavior.  I mean, come on, signing in and out on a whiteboard??  Does any other manager require that of their employees at your agency.  Tell HR how distracting it is to have to remember to do that time and time again during the day.  Oy.

You were pretty close.  My official title is "Radiation Safety Officer."

I think she understands what was written in the official documents, the ones that I was hired under, but doesn't really grasp what I actually do on a day to day basis.  That may be part of the problem.

And I do calibrate radiation detection instruments.  That's another thing I have to do in the lab, which isn't at my desk.  You generally don't use radioactive material in administrative areas.

[Ava]

Be very patient, do not get emotional, and give it some time.
When I started my new job in March, my new manager was on my cubicle every 15 minutes, checking on me. Now that he knows I'm responsible I see him once, maybe twice a day.
I already had an issue with him, and even though I find him likable as a person, he's not the kind of manager I could work for long-term. So I smile, make the best of it, and when I feel frustrated I remind myself I'll be there for around 18 months.
In your case, I would try to adjust to her, and if you are miserable working for her, quietly but surely start looking for another job.
Good luck, and we are here for you to vent as much as you need to.

[Sunnyday]

May 13, 2014 21:13:56 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

May 13, 2014 21:02:05 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

Obviously, we only know your side of things. Can you think of anything in your attitude or acts that might cause her to act this way? Could a slight attitude adjustment on your side change things with her? Even if it's temporary, wouldn't it be worth trying to work things out or improve the situation until you get a new job?

In situations like this I never try to dismiss my role in the cause. After all, if bad things happen to you, you probably at least, in part, brought it on yourself.

I'm not sure if it's an attitude thing, but perhaps I should be more mindful about these little "gotcha's" that she's so fond of.  She's dramatically increased the amount of administrative work I do.  A lot of it isn'tt that hard, but since I find them silly or stupid I sometimes do them late or am dismissive when talking about them. Obviously, behaving that way just gives her more ammunition that can be used against me, so I should try to change my behavior there.  Obviously she's the type who will constantly look for anything and everything to use against me, so I will need to change to account for that.

I suppose being more apologetic if I do screw up might help.

Take it from a pedantic bitch (me), we can be miserable to deal with. I don't know why I get so worked up about little details. I think that I just to feel appreciated and respected and I take offense when people don't think the rules apply to them. Whether you agree with it or not, a smile and an apology can go a long way. It usually disarms me and makes me see that people aren't purposely trying to piss me off.

Or maybe she is a completely unreasonable person. BUT It can't hurt to make nice.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

May 13, 2014 21:25:14 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

May 13, 2014 21:21:08 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Is it possible that she doesn't have a complete handle on all of your usual job duties, or even on what is is you actually do as a Radiation Safety Compliance Officer (or whatever your title is)?

Maybe she doesn't understand that you need to be away from your desk regularly and expectedly to get your job done.

So, since she doesn't know, she assumes you're slacking off.  

When you talk to HR, maybe you can ask them to make sure she fully understands your job duties and how your job performance requires you to review files not at your desk, or meet with people in other buildings, or test equipment at certain intervals, or whatever it is that you do.  

But, yeah, she is totally micromanaging and that has got to totally suck.  I feel for you.  And, that whole conduct vs performance thing is a little strange, especially given that you haven't had that issue with any other supervisors until she arrived.  Sorry you're having to deal with it, but it sounds like her insecurity and not necessarily your behavior.  I mean, come on, signing in and out on a whiteboard??  Does any other manager require that of their employees at your agency.  Tell HR how distracting it is to have to remember to do that time and time again during the day.  Oy.

You were pretty close.  My official title is "Radiation Safety Officer."

I think she understands what was written in the official documents, the ones that I was hired under, but doesn't really grasp what I actually do on a day to day basis.  That may be part of the problem.

And I do calibrate radiation detection instruments.  That's another thing I have to do in the lab, which isn't at my desk.  You generally don't use radioactive material in administrative areas.

  I'd say that is for good reason.  

[Apple]

May 13, 2014 21:21:21 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

One of the most frustrating aspects about all this is how powerless I feel. After all the good I've done, all the good I tried to do, and all the time and effort it doesn't amount to a hill of beans. None of it matters because it's my word against someone else, and they're higher on the payscale.

Oh well, one way or another it will be over fairly soon. Either way, I'll get fired or leave for another job. Either way, they'll lose too. Good luck explaining to the NRC that you couldn't meet all your regulatory requirements because you don't have a proper specialist.

The good thing is that you've been there longer and should have a good reputation with management.  She's the new one, and hopefully, they'll take past performance into account and realize you are not the bigger issue.  I know that always doesn't happen though, so good luck. 

[resolution]

Be careful on the conduct vs. performance thing. I don't know how things are at the feds, but at my employer if you have poor conduct they can skip all the preliminary disciplinary steps that they use for people that are trying hard, but have poor performance. So the whole conduct vs. performance thing may be an attempt to skip all the normal warning steps and jump to something more severe.

[drivingaround]

Yikes, your new manager sounds like she came from a highly structured environment.  You know, like the military 

I agree with speaking with HR and documenting your tasks and possibly letting her know that when you do X & Y it means you're in another building or the lab and you do it  X # of times a week.  I'm a mid-level manager and I have four manager levels above me.  I'm constantly asked to do crap I don't want to that I deem meaningless and in turn I also ask my team to do tasks they don't want to.  If she wants you to write your in/out times on the whiteboard then just write them on the freaking whiteboard!  Really, say "Hey, sorry I misunderstood and thought that was only during breaks not anytime I'm away from my desk.  Now that I'm aware I'll keep the board updated so you can locate me if needed."  It is a challenge to go from a flexible boss to an in-flexible one but that's par for the course of having bosses.  My former manager allowed us to arrive 7 - 9am and leave 4 - 6pm.  We had to work a full 8 hours plus an hour unpaid lunch so if I came in at 9 I left at 6.  We could also change schedules every day and didn't need to tell anyone or get approval, just be here by 9.  It was great and the flexibility was unbelievable.  New boss, you better have your butt in the seat at 8am.  Not strolling in and getting coffee at 8am but in the seat working.  It is a pain and adds undue stress but that's his style so we work with it.  In one of Carl's posts last year he mentioned his co-workers were all having trouble with their boss (he shared the same boss) and while Carl had issues with the manager's tactics he knew his role was to support his manager so his department and store was represented well to the corporate office.  That stuck with me as at times we forget just how good our cushy white-collar high paying, benefit providing jobs are and instead get down on management and the BS they ask us to do.  When my mind starts drifting to that resentful territory I take a step back and remind myself I'm PAID to do a job and follow the instructions of my manager.  If that person wants me to put my time on a whiteboard, then fine I put my time on a whiteboard.   If I don't want to then I start looking for other opportunities that interest me more or better suit my style.

I still advocate meeting with HR and hopefully they give you tips on how to approach your new manager on the items she's pointed out.  Based on what you've written it really does sound like you both got off on the wrong foot.  In your follow-up post you mentioned you didn't always speak favorably on the admin work or her requests so perhaps that is where the insubordination comes in.  I could see that, depending on your tone of voice and body language.  I wouldn't put up with it from an employee more than two or three times then I would say it was disrespectful and schedule a meeting to discuss it.  As a manager I wouldn't jump right to a performance review or even a write-up without a few 1:1's hashing out styles but I'd still address not supporting or following my requests.

[giramomma]

I don't have any advice.

I applied for a job in my actual field once. It's too bad, because that's the only office type job I ever got in my field. I declined to take it because they couldn't accommodate the hours I needed to work, and I was only allowed to work my hours when someone was there to actually watch me type. Yes, the person who hired me told me that.

We use a micro blogging tool at work to communicate with each other. It's even common practice for folks to post that they are running outside to mail a letter or get a coffee. Many of our staff have other meetings, and will post if they are going off the floor of our building somewhere.

I used to be in my own office in a different building than the rest of my department. I was assimilated two or so years ago. I think I'm finally getting used to the change now. And, surprisingly, I like the microblogging tool a lot. It helps our communication immensely.

It sounds like you need to check on other things away from your desl...can you start to give those definite times?  Can you create some sort of predictable routine for your job in the mean time? Go to the lab a certain time each day or a specific number of days? I would also not couch it around lunch or when you arrive at the day. Sure, it mean you are less efficient. But, how you are spending your time will be more transparent.

My coworkers know, one job responsibility I do on Tuesday and Thursdays, unless I'm out of the office. Then I switch it to M/W/F for the week and let folks know why.

[Deleted]

So how about we get one point clear with you. If your boss asks you to do something and gives you a deadline, that IS your highest priority.

Within the first two weeks you have ignored her requests because you thought they were dumb or had artificial timelines. Not a good impression to start off with. Clearly you have struck a nerve with the new boss. I would guess that she has had people with similar actions or personality that have resulted in termination before.

I will wish you luck, but you need to take the boss' requests very seriously, especially now that she has told you that you will get a write up.

[Phoenix84]

May 13, 2014 22:45:20 GMT -5 @lillylake said:

So how about we get one point clear with you. If your boss asks you to do something and gives you a deadline, that IS your highest priority.

Within the first two weeks you have ignored her requests because you thought they were dumb or had artificial timelines. Not a good impression to start off with. Clearly you have struck a nerve with the new boss. I would guess that she has had people with similar actions or personality that have resulted in termination before.

I will wish you luck, but you need to take the boss' requests very seriously, especially now that she has told you that you will get a write up.

So if my boss asks me to do something and gives a deadline, it becomes my highest priority, even if I have to deal with a NRC violation and I'm required to do things by federal law within a certain timeframe?

Look, I don't mean to get defensive or inflate my own importance. I realize at the end of the day I'm a worker bee who follows directions. But sometimes the admin tasks she assigns can conflict with something that's also really important, something that I absolutely have to do by law or policy. I don't think having the agency getting fined by federal regulators would look too good for me either, and there's only so many hours in a day.

Doing stuff that I think is stupid and I don't agree with has always been a challenge. I have tried to not let it show, but I'm sure it has at times. I'll continue to work at it, but I don't think that excuses her behavior.

It's certainly quite challenging to go from a relaxed environment to a extremely rigid one.