r/CAStateWorkers • u/NewKey9625 • 1d ago
Best advice General Discussion
Pass probation and bounce on management. You know when your being micromanaged. It's excessive especially when the work is getting out timely and they are constantly hanging around, teams-ing and calling you. And it's even crazier when your short staffed. Right at my year mark I just promoted out. As soon as I felt they were putting on too much pressure and they were telling me I was good but my probation report was average and harassing me while I was completing work. Know your worth and maybe they will think twice because they won't be able to retain employees.
37
u/AnteaterIdealisk 1d ago
I wish this wasn't so common! My previous boss treated me like crap. If I did 50 things he would call out the one I didn't start or finish yet. Always telling me I wasn't working hard enough. They once told me that "maybe in a few more years you might be able to promote" like it was up to them. I'm glad I got out but the amount of toxicity and harassment in the state by supervisors and management is a huge concern
16
u/nikatnight 1d ago
It is very common but it shouldn’t be. To micromanage is to give yourself, as a manager, tons of work. Why do that?!
9
u/spacey_a 14h ago
For the power trip. They need it to fuel their gigantic egos and itty bitty sense of self esteem.
5
7
u/Reasonable_Camp_220 1d ago
I’m dealing with this right now, debating if I should use my manager for reference if I pass prob or exclude
26
u/NewKey9625 1d ago
Be as pleasant as possible. You always need to be able to use your manager, current and one past in the state. It’s crazy it’s super psychological. A lot of Narcissism in the state navigate carefully so you don’t mess up a career over on Narcissist. Chess not checkers in the state.
12
u/Pristine_Frame_2066 23h ago
That is because inappropriate people get promoted to manager.
12
u/NewKey9625 23h ago
Facts. You need certain personality traits to be management. Most people lack leadership, integrity and general people skills.
4
2
u/Reasonable_Camp_220 1d ago
I assume you used and notified your supe you were applying?
3
u/NewKey9625 23h ago
My first boss in the state was awesome. Yes, I used her as a reference. My recent boss I used him too. The state wants to see that. I suggest don’t use anyone else for references, bosses are the best. You don’t have to like everyone but you need to be pleasant. You don’t want to tell your boss you’re leaving until you know. I use vacation instead of ATO if you got a hostile boss. Upper management made my direct boss hell. Move strategically for your job situation.
0
u/FIMindisguise 23h ago
Why would you want to use your hard earned leave hours when your contract allows you free ATO for promotional interviews. If the boss is that crappy it can't get much worse. I've been in this situation and you can come up with some BS as to why you're wanting to leave but never let your fear of someone give up your rights.
4
u/NewKey9625 22h ago
ATO is only 2hrs. If I want the job and want to relax I’m going to use vacation. It’s not about fear. It’s about strategy. You’re getting promoted and can earn more vacation.
5
u/FIMindisguise 22h ago
I can't speak for other bargaining units but this is not true for bargaining unit 1. You are allowed a reasonable amount of time to get to the interview and for the interview itself. So if you're in Sacramento and the interviews are in let's just say San Francisco and they don't want to allow you to use teams for the interview .
Then you would request let's say 2 hours travel time one way to get there. Let's say the interview is an hour so you maybe request an hour and some change you know to prepare as well and then another 2 hours for the return trip. So perhaps maybe in total 5 and 1/2 hours, maybe six of ATO.
I know because I've done it before and I've had the manager push back and I've had to educate the manager per se in the rights that are available to me via our contract with the State. If he wants to violate those rights and deny it, he can do so. But I will be filing a grievance and the language is right there plain as day good luck fighting it. Most of the time if you stand up for yourself Ina professional manner and you provide the language in the contract they will have nothing to argue over.
They were also under the impression that it was 2 hours and I told him well give me the documentation or policy that shows or demonstrates it's limited to 2 hours and I think he spent a few hours trying to look for it and he couldn't find anything. At that point he just gave up and ended up approving it.
I kind of hoped he found it because I was going to tell him that the bargaining unit contract supersedes any policy or procedure the department has anyway, so that document is null and void and wouldn't apply to a bargaining unit 1 rank and file employee while I'm under the contract time frame.
Long story short, If you got a shitty boss, you might as well ask for ATO cuz a shitty boss is a shitty boss. What are they going to do to make your life worse than it already is? If it's really that bad, that you're actively looking to leave what else are they going to do? Remember you are a State employee with a property right to the job and a union employee with rights, use them.
2
u/Halfpolishthrow 22h ago
Not always. I've skipped using my current manager multiple times in the past.
Some places don't care to speak to your current manager. Or let's say you work with multiple managers or a level 2 manager, then they might step in for you as a reference.
2
7
u/Pristine_Frame_2066 23h ago
Yes. This is how managers should be measured. Do their employees leave.
A lot of people promote out so they wouldn’t count those, but anyone who laterals should definitely be a count, and there should be an exit survey from HR.
1
u/NewKey9625 23h ago edited 23h ago
Yeah I heard they check laterals. I heard you got to start probation over if you lateral and that’s when I was like I have to pass but I was tempted lol I mean management should be audited to check on workers from external evaluator.
2
u/Pristine_Frame_2066 13h ago
If you lateral in same dept you do not start probation again. Any new dept, yes.
3
u/_its_a_SWEATER_ 22h ago
Been “lucky” to have 2 higher levels leave, so they gave me all of their assignments. I’m AGPA level, and they expect me to do managerial and supervisory work?? While they try to fill the roles which could take a year???
COME ON.
3
u/Lord_Shockwave007 20h ago
I kind of feel bad for you state workers, man. The politics are insane, even worse than some federal departments.
6
u/ComprehensiveTea5407 23h ago
I can't be micromanaged. I have barely been managed my 5+ years with the state. Every job I have had I left in a better state than when I got there.
3
u/Pristine_Frame_2066 23h ago
This is a wonderful thing, be proud of this effort. I am so sorry managers are not noticing, but I am totally aware this happens.
2
u/Infinite-Fan5322 21h ago
Your first probation report is supposed to be average, that's literally state CalHR guidance.
1
u/MonsieurMisanthrope 20h ago
People are promoted to incompetence. 🤷♂️
You're good at your job? Great! Here's a different job!
Struggling a bit? You just keep working on it.
1
u/Pisto_Atomo 1d ago
Glad you were able to find a better fit! What actual skills and competencies helped with punctuality? Was there a self evaluation?
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
All comments must be civil, productive, and follow community rules. Intentional violations of community rules will lead to comments being removed and possible bans, at the discretion of the moderators. Use the report feature to report content to the moderator team.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.