"To Promote the Efficiency of the Service." There it was, written on my proposed termination papers from the job that I had given all of my blood, sweat, and tears to over the course of the last 5 years. That was the reason I was given for being fired. How could the agency that I had given so much to, cast me off like a stone being skipped across the water?
Feelings of hurt and betrayal soon followed. I was mad, upset, and most of all-- I felt that I had been wronged. It was the beginning of a lengthy legal battle that I did not want to have to fight, but yet I felt compelled to fight. This is what I had received for standing up for myself. The agency refused to follow it's own policies and EEO guidelines. I was being punished-- and shunned-- at the same time. This was the time when I found out who my true friends were, and I found out about other issues that other people had with the agency that I had loved to work for until this point: The National Park Service.
This is still in the process of litigation, so I cannot post the exact turn of events that led me to where I am today. However, you can look forward to a book in the future when it is all said and done. I guess I am just writing this to make people aware to not take what they have for granted, and watch your back at all times.
People will spread rumors about you, and talk about you behind your back, and there is nothing that you can do about it. Accept it with grace and don't let it get you down. If you have the chance to witness it and correct them, then do it in a tactful manner.
Most important of all, keep a detailed log of events and notes. You never know when you will need them to defend yourself.
"Do not let the service become just another Government bureau. Keep it youthful, vigorous, clean and strong." - Director and Founder Horace M. Albright, farewell speech, 1933.
I'm sorry, Mr. Albright. It has become just another Government bureau.
