Personnel

Is it a growing phenomenon or was it always there ?

Lack of Information – Misinformation – Intimidation

Maria Dweggah, WHO

One thing that infuriates me is seeing staff intimidated to the point of being afraid to request what is their right. “I don’t want to cause any trouble.” “My supervisor said he would make sure my post gets reclassified”. “Now, don’t go to the staff association, we can handle this.” “Why did you go see the OMB, we could have resolved this.” “Now, no need to appeal, we will look at your request next year.” Intimidation is the companion of misinformation and lack of information.
Speaking of lack of information, how many of you actually have your own copy of the Staff Rules and Regulations which govern your conditions of service or at least know where you can find the information? How many of you know that there is a counsellor, ombudsman, mediator, grievance procedures, staff association or union in your organization? How many of you know it is your right to seek advice from these services without fear of retribution?
Many of you are new to your organization and a good number are probably in precarious employment situations, hold short-term contracts or are dependent on the good graces of your supervisors for renewal. It is understandable that you do not want to cause any waves and that you don’t want to be singled out and branded early on as “this one is gonna give us trouble.” And I empathize. But try to find the balance.
Lack of Information/Misinformation/Intimidation is a source of frustration and anxiety among staff. Let’s take the post-classification procedure, for example, which is widely misunderstood by staff. Did you know that you actually have the right to request a revision of your post description if your tasks have significantly changed and that you can also request a classification review of the post you are occupying? It is now 2005 and your post description dates back to 1987? Oh, your supervisor told you to be patient and not to worry, she would take care of it. That was five years ago, and you are still waiting? Do you really believe she will do something? In any case it is your responsibility.
Take your life into your own hands. Go to the Staff Rules and Regs and read. Go to the existing staff services to help you. While you are neglecting your rights, you can bet your last dollar that she is looking out for hers. Times have changed, my friend. The “I-will-take-care-of-you” employee/employer relation is a thing of the past.
Another good example is the role of misinformation/intimidation in the selection process. I am forever amazed at the statements that come out of the mouths of staff. Where do they get these ideas? What is more amazing is that this misinformation is not specific to one agency or to one duty station. I would bet that the collective reaction of readers at the end of the article will be: “Gee, I always thought that was true.”

Here are a few good ones, do they sound familiar?

— If I apply for a job elsewhere, my supervisor will not like it and it will work against me.
Good, then stay where you are while he applies for his promotions!!!!
— If I apply too often, it will not look good.
Plus, it will go into my personnel file (the secret one).
Who says? And if you are worried, ask for your file. And YES, you can!
— My supervisor said this post is for me, so I am not applying elsewhere.
Really? And you believe it? Have you thought about other candidates who may be more qualified than you? And also, the fact that your supervisor may not be around when the post opens up?
— There is somebody on the post.
So, the length of the selection procedure being what it is, many things can happen; besides, you can use the practice. And so what, if there is someone on the post, it does not mean he or she is the best qualified.
— I was told not to bother applying as I would not have a chance.
We now have fortune tellers among us, do we?
— I’ll never get it.
With such an attitude, chances are you will not.
Perhaps I have been a bit harsh but sometimes we need a wake-up call. Wake up, the times they are a changing. Take charge of your own life. Don’t believe what people tell you. Check it out for yourself with the people who know.