Would like input on an ethical question

[jodi]

Hi - been pondering this dilemma for a while now, but just now am getting around to asking for opinions. I work for a government agency, which makes me feel very accountable for the time I spend at work. In addition, I am paid very well, in my opinion, for the work that is required of me. The dilemma? I work 20 hours per week, but can easily do my job in 10. Easily. I work very efficiently and have an relatively easy caseload. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I do feel that I am good at what I do (and have significant feedback from others to this opinion). So, that leaves a significant chunk of time where I have nothing to do. I have reorganized my files multiple times, gone over the same paperwork, etc. Really. I am out of things to do. Lately I have found myself spending more and more time online at work, simply because I don't know what else to do with myself while I am there. I feel quite bad about this, especially being paid with public money, but I don't know what else I can do to be useful in my position.

How does one reconcile this position, both in my position and in the larger context? A logical answer would be to not make the salary dependent on a certain number of hours, but rather the quality of one's work...however, I certainly realize that there are many people who would take advantage of this. On the flip side, what purpose is being served by me sitting at a desk for an additional 10 hours per week doing nothing? Should I feel guilty about not "working" all the time, or should I work to create more tasks for myself (which, honestly, would serve no additional benefit to my clients)?

[InDebtInDC]

Please be advised that timesheet fraud may be considered a felony.

My first advice would be to report to your assigned work area and stay there for the full hours you claim on your timesheet, and not a minute less.

My second advice would be to increase the quality and/or quantity of your cases. The benefits of this would be clear.

My third advice would be to stay off the government computer if you don't need it in the course of performing your job. If you need to spend some time during work hours on the Internet, I recommend bringing in your own laptop and wireless PC card with Internet access. I used to do this when I did consulting so I didn't have to go through the customer's network to access the Internet. Check with your boss though because this may not be allowed at all agencies.

My fourth advice would be to approach your boss and ask for an accelerated promotion. I know it's difficult in the government, but at least it'll show that you're making an effort.

My fifth and final advice would be to be careful who you share this information with because not everyone will respond in a positive way. There may be others who are resentful of your success because they think it makes them look bad.

Personally I would increase the quality and quantity, and try to seek an accelerated promotion that way.

Good luck

[PrincessPerky]

can you 'bill for less' or would you not be happy with 10 hours pay?

Or can you use the time to fill a volunteer task..no need to relate it to your paid job, just so you feel it is worthwhile and helpful.

Thing is in all likely hood only you can do the job in 10 hours, avg Joe would take 20...if they pay you only for 10 then the bean counters will want to pay the other folk doing similar jobs for only 10....goofy I know.

[InDebtInDC]

Thing is in all likely hood only you can do the job in 10 hours, avg Joe would take 20...if they pay you only for 10 then the bean counters will want to pay the other folk doing similar jobs for only 10....goofy I know.

This is what I'm afraid of. The slackers get upset and will want to get you fired.

[jodi]

Please be advised that timesheet fraud may be considered a felony.

My first advice would be to report to your assigned work area and stay there for the full hours you claim on your timesheet, and not a minute less.

My second advice would be to increase the quality and/or quantity of your cases. The benefits of this would be clear.

My third advice would be to stay off the government computer if you don't need it in the course of performing your job. If you need to spend some time during work hours on the Internet, I recommend bringing in your own laptop and wireless PC card with Internet access. I used to do this when I did consulting so I didn't have to go through the customer's network to access the Internet. Check with your boss though because this may not be allowed at all agencies.

My fourth advice would be to approach your boss and ask for an accelerated promotion. I know it's difficult in the government, but at least it'll show that you're making an effort.

My fifth and final advice would be to be careful who you share this information with because not everyone will respond in a positive way. There may be others who are resentful of your success because they think it makes them look bad.

Personally I would increase the quality and quantity, and try to seek an accelerated promotion that way.

Good luck

Perhaps I didn't explain this correctly. I am there for my full 20 hours. I would never think of leaving early, or coming in late, or certainly not lying on my timesheet. It's just that the time I am there, I spend half of it staring at the wall for lack of anything else to do. The quality of my work is already top-notch. I cannot increase the quantity as we have limits on our caseloads, which I am already at.
Duly noted about staying off the computer for activities not related to work. I never used to do this, but I find myself slipping more often as I am SO bored. I would rather my job be hectic than absolutely boring.
To answer your next statement: I do not want a promotion. A promotion would require either a full-time schedule or a relocation, neither of which I would consider at this point in my life. I am very, very happy with what I earn. To get a promotion would require a return to school for a Master's degree, another step that I am not willing to take. It's not the job itself I have a problem with - it's the boredom.

[jodi]

This is what I'm afraid of. The slackers get upset and will want to get you fired.

This brings up another topic of discussion: how much time do people think is reasonable to socialize, read the paper, etc. in an office setting? I work with many very competent people, but also with people who think nothing of chatting for a half hour about personal business or reading the newspaper from cover to cover. When I first started in this job, I kept my nose to the grindstone, chained to my desk and bored, bored, bored. Now I do a bit more socialization (never at the expense of my work, but rather when my work is done) but still wonder if I should be back at the desk, trying to think of something to do. I realize there is no set answer to this question, as an office setting is vastly different from a factory, or a school, etc., but is it okay to spend some time socializing on the job?

[jodi]

can you 'bill for less' or would you not be happy with 10 hours pay?

Or can you use the time to fill a volunteer task..no need to relate it to your paid job, just so you feel it is worthwhile and helpful.

Thing is in all likely hood only you can do the job in 10 hours, avg Joe would take 20...if they pay you only for 10 then the bean counters will want to pay the other folk doing similar jobs for only 10....goofy I know.

No, I am salaried, so my pay is set, as are my hours. I have offered to help others in the office with filing, organization, but have not been taken up on many offers. I feel somewhat patronizing offering my help to others who do the same work - kind of like, "well, I finished my work already - want me to help you with yours?"
This all must sound so stuck-up, but I don't think I'm the only one who can do this job in less time. There are others in my position who don't feel bad at all about taking some "down time" because the job really isn't all that hard. I find that the more organized a person is in this position, the more free time they have at the office.

[pearlieq]

Is there any continuing education you can do? Professional development?

Even if it's not strictly related to your core job function, there are general business topics you could read up on or do training for.

Just an idea. I certainly don't think you're doing anything wrong. Rather, I think you're doing the best you can in a less than ideal situation.

Good luck!

Ask your supervisor if there is some additional work or a special project you can work on... If he or she gives you something else to do, great. If not, then at least you tried.

By the way probably everyone else in your office is either physically or mentally not working half the time too... But they're probably not as conscientious as you are.

[Dave Rowtree]

I had a similar problem whilst processing mortgages; I could usually finish all my work sometimes by 11am and then have to sit there until 5. It was maddening; I'd much rather have been busy.

Do you have a good relationship with your supervisor? This should be an issue they can help you out with if you can avoid pettiness from them. They may be able to have you work via your results so you can go home early, or give you more money and more responsibility.

Training is a good idea, perhaps you can ask them to put you in for something that you can study in your off times at work so bettering yourself?

[moneybags]

I love how the government creates these situations that waste my tax dollars. It's not just your job, I've witnessed others just like it. Ask your boss if there is something else you can work on during your down time.

[ktmarvels]

You mentioned that any promotion would require a Masters degree. Why not take that 10 hours per week and take an online class? That way when you are in a better position to have a promotion you would already be on your way toward the Masters.

[Scanner]

I am a boss and I have to say, some of this responsibility rests on your supervisor, not you.

I can respect sometimes I macromanage my employees, in fact most of the time. As long as things get done, I don't care if it gets done in 2 hours or 10 hours. When something isn't done, I say,

"This isn't done. How can we get this done?" (never ask why - employees give you a million whys)

But McDonalds had it right too - "You got time to lean. . .you got time to clean."

I respect you are putting some of this onto your shoulders but at least half of this rests with the boss. He should be leveraging you better.

But this is a problem in gov't - most gov't supervisors don't have business experience and ever have to worry about a bad quarter so they don't feel any pressure to make things run efficiently.

The only other suggestion I may make is you could see if you could move your job to "contractor status." You work 10 hours for whatever your speciality is, get paid more, but off the payroll and then you leverage your time elsewhere.

[mekish]

your peers are happy with your contribution and have given you credit to that. there's no need to push yourself too hard, to pass time you could offer to do other duties around the office.. don't indicate to your bosses that you can do the job in half the time, they'd have no hesitation in cutting your hours.

[Exile]

Too little work can be just as frustrating as too much. If you're really uncomfortable having time on your hands, you really should consult your supervisor and find out if there are additional duties that you can take on. From what you've described, nothing will change unless you take the initiative to make it happen.