However, I heard an expose reported by ABC news in Phoenix earlier this week that made my blood pressure rise.
The headline: "Social Security spends $700,000 on Phoenix conference."
This investigative report was broken by Channel ABC 15 News in Phoenix (snipurl.com/ng2qk) and reported to the Social Security Administration and members of Congress, who are now conducting additional investigations. Here's the story's highlights:
675 Social Security managers attended a "motivational management" conference at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, a high-end Phoenix area resort last week that cost $700,000. The conference's costs included airfare, hotel entertainment, dancers, motivational speakers, and food. The Social Security Administration provided ABC 15 with a list of courses offered at the conference, which included, "Techniques to Empower You," Mentoring the Generations," and "Emotional Intelligence."
A spokesperson from the SSA's regional office said the conference was essential, that teleconferencing was not an option, and that all 675 managers needed to meet in person. They did put the conference out to bid, and rooms for the conference were booked at $85 per night, versus the rack rate of $400 for a room during the prime tourist season. However, as you might note, it is not prime tourist season in Phoenix in July.....
The SSA omitted from their report to ABC 15 that the conference also included an after-hours casino trip, family members staying at the resort, or a dance that was observed by the reporters.
"This was a training conference. The location was selected through the government's competitive bidding process. The facility that was selected was the lowest bidder, and we paid well-below the prescribed government rate." Leslie Walker, Regional Communications Director, SSA.
By the way, Social Security trustees said in May that the program will begin paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes in 2016, and the program's trust fund will be depleted by 2037. 2016 is little more than six years away from now....
This story offends on so many levels. Let me count just a few of the the ways:
-They're spending my money (and yours) on unnecessary perks and travel when they don't have the funds. Repeat: they don't have the money! When was the last time your company sent you to the Biltmore for a few days of motivational training?
- Why is there a different standard for the public sector versus the private sector? Since when it is acceptable to "do as I say, but not as I do?"
Page 2
Becky Regan, M.A., CCP began her own consulting practice in 1995, Regan HR, Inc. to provide human resources consulting services to businesses in California. She has been successful in growing her business through reputation and client referrals. Her work as a consultant includes the full spectrum of HR technical expertise, including C-level recruitment, compensation studies (design, market and executive pay studies, sales compensation plans), training & teaching, interim assignments as a HR Director for organizations, and employee relations, including workplace investigations and written responses to formal complaints. For more HR tips and to receive my FREE "The Top 5 Secrets to Building a Better Organization that Every HR Pro Must Know" go to www.ReganHR.com.
The headline: "Social Security spends $700,000 on Phoenix conference."
This investigative report was broken by Channel ABC 15 News in Phoenix (snipurl.com/ng2qk) and reported to the Social Security Administration and members of Congress, who are now conducting additional investigations. Here's the story's highlights:
675 Social Security managers attended a "motivational management" conference at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, a high-end Phoenix area resort last week that cost $700,000. The conference's costs included airfare, hotel entertainment, dancers, motivational speakers, and food. The Social Security Administration provided ABC 15 with a list of courses offered at the conference, which included, "Techniques to Empower You," Mentoring the Generations," and "Emotional Intelligence."
A spokesperson from the SSA's regional office said the conference was essential, that teleconferencing was not an option, and that all 675 managers needed to meet in person. They did put the conference out to bid, and rooms for the conference were booked at $85 per night, versus the rack rate of $400 for a room during the prime tourist season. However, as you might note, it is not prime tourist season in Phoenix in July.....
The SSA omitted from their report to ABC 15 that the conference also included an after-hours casino trip, family members staying at the resort, or a dance that was observed by the reporters.
"This was a training conference. The location was selected through the government's competitive bidding process. The facility that was selected was the lowest bidder, and we paid well-below the prescribed government rate." Leslie Walker, Regional Communications Director, SSA.
By the way, Social Security trustees said in May that the program will begin paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes in 2016, and the program's trust fund will be depleted by 2037. 2016 is little more than six years away from now....
This story offends on so many levels. Let me count just a few of the the ways:
-They're spending my money (and yours) on unnecessary perks and travel when they don't have the funds. Repeat: they don't have the money! When was the last time your company sent you to the Biltmore for a few days of motivational training?
- Why is there a different standard for the public sector versus the private sector? Since when it is acceptable to "do as I say, but not as I do?"
Page 2
Becky Regan, M.A., CCP began her own consulting practice in 1995, Regan HR, Inc. to provide human resources consulting services to businesses in California. She has been successful in growing her business through reputation and client referrals. Her work as a consultant includes the full spectrum of HR technical expertise, including C-level recruitment, compensation studies (design, market and executive pay studies, sales compensation plans), training & teaching, interim assignments as a HR Director for organizations, and employee relations, including workplace investigations and written responses to formal complaints. For more HR tips and to receive my FREE "The Top 5 Secrets to Building a Better Organization that Every HR Pro Must Know" go to www.ReganHR.com.
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