Reply #36: I work in a government/civil service position

[Madam Mossfern]

I am considered one of the best workers in the building. Each time there is a notice about a position, I apply and am more than qualified but then the position seems to disappear. I did manage to change position-a lateral move and was stunned that there was absolutely nothing to do most of the time. This was quality assurance! I've moved back since.

Upper management continually gives me extra work to do because I'm so "smart and efficient" and co-workers come to me with questions and problems rather than their supervisors. As far as I can see, the supervisors are for the most part incompetent and are only there because they passed a civil service exam, not because of their ability; and management are political hacks who don't have a clue as to what they are supposed to be overseeing. I have not seen one person at the top who came through the ranks and would understand what our program entails, or the day to day issues that if resolved on a higher level would make our office run much more efficiently.

My reward for hard work? More work. Management knows to ask me. The last assignment I was given, I finally complained about because I was the only person of my rank who was required to do this task. (reviewing proposals) I told management that I had no spare time during the day-not a minute to do this and would end up having to take the work home. I told him that of course I would get the job done, but it would be on my own personal time. I was told that they would 'take that into consideration'....yeah.

I still can not say no to my bosses, so maybe it's my fault. I feel that if I did refuse to do the extra work that I would suffer some sort of consequences. I could, like some of my colleagues, mess up or slow up on purpose, but it goes completely against my nature.

Sorry for the long rant.