Agencies Setting Up Their Own Employees
I have to say, the fact that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is using a matchmaking program as an incentive to keep agency employees happy, strikes me as a little strange. Not that there's anything wrong with people finding happiness, in fact, it's great. But I'd be curious to hear more about how the program is prepared to deal with things like sexual harassment claims, or the impact of breakups on the workplace, since from what Chief Human Capital Officer Jim McDermott says, it sounds like the pairings that have resulted are between agency employees, rather than between agency employees and folks who work outside NRC. And even if it's said in jest, isn't there something a little odd about a CHCO saying this about his employees?
"Now, engineers study a lot in college. They neglect very important extracurricular activities. My girls went to school with engineers, [and] they said, 'Dad, they don't know how to dance, they don't know how to dress, they don't even know how to talk.' "
Isn't that a bit stereotypical? And doesn't it ignore the fact that there are, you know, female engineers?
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
If he's actually asking in job interviews if candidates have a significant other, he's violating employment law, EEO regulations, and basic common sense.
This person is a CHCO? I hope he was kidding.
Skepticus Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:28 AMI am a nuclear engineer in the Federal work force, and am nothing like the physicist caricatures on "the Big Bang Theory." I also don't sit around with my boyfriend discussing Star Trek or reactor cooling loops. I don't need my employer's assistance to get a date & would not take that offer even if I did. If a job interviewer asked about my relationship status and then offered to assist (that's what the article actually says they do...), I would almost certainly withdraw my application. If the tone were like the one expressed here, I would also consider filing a complaint, but still would not continue with the application process. This is ridiculous and definitely not an incentive to work there. Keep in mind that your co-workers could be dating each other with agency encouragement - sound like fun?
Are my tax dollars paying for this?!
annoyed taxpayer Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:47 PMHey its just $$4 and there is plenty more out there, the taxpayers just waste it anyway
dan m ketter Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:46 PMHey, did anyone figure this was a bit tongue-in-cheek? Come on, lighten up! Do you really think that NRC would consistently rank at the very top of all surveys in employee satisfaction if they tolerated sexual harassment?
NRC is a great place to work because people like what they do and the people they work with. There is no "dating service" but there are lots of working couples there and you cant tell me that isn't the same at any Federal agency or large office. What is extraordinary is that NRC strives to be a very friendly work place for working couples and working mothers and that is one of their recruiting pitches.
And yes, there are lots of engineers and even a few who still have a pencil protector in their shirt pockets but the calculator on the hip has been replaced by a BlackBerry.
SportsGuy Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:03 PMSounds like the place for me!
Mr. Lonelyheart Posted Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:20 AM