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Make workers work
While I applaud Spokane County Chief Operating Officer John Dickson for his efforts to improve customer service, employee development and more, the real problems go much deeper than that. As recently as six months ago, I sent a letter to both Dickson and County Commissioner Shelly O’Quinn detailing two hot button issues rarely addressed.
Most employees have long since resigned themselves to covering for those employees who don’t do their share of work or, worse, abuse sick leave. As a former employee, I witnessed these issues dating back to the early 1970s. Despite my repeated pleas over the years, not much has changed.
If you want to address employee development, the primary issues are getting the employee to do that for which they are hired and having them at work in the first place. I know from high-level conversations in the past these issues are rarely addressed by many managers.
If Dickson really wants his “people to support a world they help create,” I would suggest he begin to eliminate those who create little or nothing. And then hire those who will come to work every day and help fulfill his goals, such as financial stewardship and customer service.
Terry Hontz
Spokane