Discrimination

[oldhead]

http://wusa9.com/news/article/155461/158/Are-DC-Firefighters-Punished-For-Getting-Pregnant

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/06/d-c-firefighters-have-new-pregnancy-policy-62571.html

Really. Really? How is this not blatant discrimination, and sexism? Penalizing a woman for being pregnant? How do you force someone to use sick leave when they aren't sick? Pregnancy isn't an illness, or so I thought, and then to find out MPD simply places its pregnant officers in desk jobs while the FD can't/won't? WTF!? And how does forcing pregnant members to use their sick leave save money? Their spots still have to be backfilled whether they're on sick leave or light duty, gone is gone. Now the city council wants to legislate correcting this, so how long will THAT take, 50 years?! Oh wait, if a massive lawsuit is filed maybe it will shorten it to 20 years. Sheesh. Just when you think things can't possibly get anymore effed up, come to work.

[regs1]

In the past they were temp transferred to day work jobs. PSO used to have on average 2-3 working all the time,
So as was said before, this is a change in policy, so now it will become a another lawsuit

[HOOKwoMAN]

http://www.clinicquotes.com/site/story.php?id=318

Amazing this has become an issue again with the above fiasco on record in DCFD.

[? BUCKY IS HERE]

I'm guessing the love affair between the FEMS Administrator and Mendelson is over. All the money he has saved in OT will be payed out in the lawsuit these ladies will file and win.:D

[DvlsAdvct]

Damn, I kinda wish I had the anatomy to get pregnant now. It'd be a payday!!!

[bright1]

As twisted as it may look, the poilcy is within Federal and District guidelines.

Looking at the bigger picture. Changing the district law and/or the policy for female members will benefit all. They would have to change the light duty policy for all who have non job peformance related issues. But this again goes back to getting the disablilty retirement issue taken care of.

Councilman Mendelson help get our disability retirement taken care of. It would help greatly.

[kyser sose]

http://wusa9.com/news/article/155461/158/Are-DC-Firefighters-Punished-For-Getting-Pregnant

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/06/d-c-firefighters-have-new-pregnancy-policy-62571.html

Really. Really? How is this not blatant discrimination, and sexism? Penalizing a woman for being pregnant? How do you force someone to use sick leave when they aren't sick? Pregnancy isn't an illness, or so I thought, and then to find out MPD simply places its pregnant officers in desk jobs while the FD can't/won't? WTF!? And how does forcing pregnant members to use their sick leave save money? Their spots still have to be backfilled whether they're on sick leave or light duty, gone is gone. Now the city council wants to legislate correcting this, so how long will THAT take, 50 years?! Oh wait, if a massive lawsuit is filed maybe it will shorten it to 20 years. Sheesh. Just when you think things can't possibly get anymore effed up, come to work.

Word is that MPD is changing their policy to match ours.

[Brooks]

The military puts pregnant women on a LD status fairly early in their pregnancy, no choice by the mother. After delivery, she is off for quite a while.

It seems that there are more than a few tasks that this department does that are relatively light duty. Sometimes these tasks are completed by uniformed personnel, sometimes not. We know that the past mayor was, and, AFAIK the current mayor is, a big supporter of the summer youth jobs program -- where district youths get summer jobs with various agencies -- meaning that there is work to be found, at times. Because, if there's not really any work to be found, then the summer jobs program is just pandering to potential voters.

Its not unreasonable to assume that there are 'light duty' jobs that need doing, but aren't done due to lack of personnel, especially in light of the reduction of administrative personnel, and the reduction of overtime. It's also not unreasonable for the government of the DC to want to control it's personnel costs: LD positions cannot be available to an unlimited number of personnel for an unlimited amount of time.

It seems that labor & management could get together and identify a fixed number of potential light duty positions, and make them available to those who may need them, on a Last Come, First Served basis. In other words, if there were 20 light duty spots (1% of the workforce) and they were all occupied, and FF Jane Doe got pregnant and needed one, the person on LD the longest would be kicked out, and have to go on their own leave, get trades, etc. Of course those injured on POD wouldn't be kicked out, so it would be the next longest LD guy. I'd actually prefer if the POD members weren't included in the mix -- the employer is responsible for their injuries, the rest of the membership shouldn't be punished, by lack of potential LD spots, for the failure of the employer to maintain a safe workplace.

[Greenshield]

Well said Brooks.

[What a Mess]

Hey Brooks what world are you living in, and is there room for one more?

There you go again applying logic to the illogical. Ellerebe is up at Harvard during his hiatus away from his beloved District learning about new leadership tactics in some course that he will no doubt list on his pedigree as yet another educational notch on his ever growing belt.

Man are we fortunate to have such a narcissistic leader, who cares deeply about his employees. Just make sure you wear your knee high socks underneath your flammable uniform. And answer the most important question about "Where you from" honestly when asked by people who are only asking for one reason.

[oldhead]

You know, I can build a structure that is 100% compliant with NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, but it will still be a fire trap. Just because this policy is compliant with federal and district policy don't make it right. I'd like a pass to Brooks World too please.

[dcfdsid]

Speaking of discrimination.

http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/ctn-new-haven-firefighters-to-receive-2-million-in-reverse-discrimination-case-20110728,0,502343.story

[Hydro Engineer]

Speaking of discrimination.

http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/ctn-new-haven-firefighters-to-receive-2-million-in-reverse-discrimination-case-20110728,0,502343.story

See Mr. Administrator, It shouldn't matter if we live in the city or out of the city either:cool:

[Dean27wood]

I hate the term "Reverse Discrimination"..........you do not fix discrimination by discriminating. To get extra points by being a certain race, or living in the city or being a female is discimination in it's self. I have been penalized my entire life for being a "White Male". Tests are modified & watered down just to benefit certain minority groups. Assessment Centers are catered to minorities & females. If you read I.O. Solutions pamphlet & viewed they're test & assessment center CD it states all of this in there. If they catered each test & watered it down for me I would be offended because this means that you don't think I have the ability to take a standard test. Scenario based questions have been proven to make the gap between a person that studied vs. a person that did not, not be that great. I ranked 36 & I studied my ass off........but you know what I take responsibilty for my mediocre score, it's not anyone elses fault...........I also did not wait for my score to come out, see what I got and then jump in on a lawsuit because my score was low. I have no respect for those that did. Shame on you.

[papamama14]

I'm guessing the love affair between the FEMS Administrator and Mendelson is over.

[stillagoodjob]

I hate the term "Reverse Discrimination"..........you do not fix discrimination by discriminating. To get extra points by being a certain race, or living in the city or being a female is discimination in it's self. I have been penalized my entire life for being a "White Male". Tests are modified & watered down just to benefit certain minority groups. Assessment Centers are catered to minorities & females. If you read I.O. Solutions pamphlet & viewed they're test & assessment center CD it states all of this in there. If they catered each test & watered it down for me I would be offended because this means that you don't think I have the ability to take a standard test. Scenario based questions have been proven to make the gap between a person that studied vs. a person that did not, not be that great. I ranked 36 & I studied my ass off........but you know what I take responsibilty for my mediocre score, it's not anyone elses fault...........I also did not wait for my score to come out, see what I got and then jump in on a lawsuit because my score was low. I have no respect for those that did. Shame on you.

You brought it strong and say what many won't say. Two wrongs never made a right. I respect anyone who works hard for what they achieved no matter what they look like.

Zeke

[Truth]

What I cant figure is Not one of the guys listed on the lawsuit can tell me one person they think actually cheated. I flat out asked a couple to tell me who they thought cheated, seeing as how I am one of the guys in the top 20, and they couldnt name me one person. Other than making some generalized bullshit statement like, "I don't know exactly who, but it happened". The whole suit is bullshit and I've lost alot of respect for the guys listed on it. I would love for one of the "Plaintiffs" to name just one of the guys they suspect of cheating. I know none of them would be able to nut up and do that because they know, like we all do, that there was no cheating. It's just a bunch of fucking bitter cry babies crying wolf, hoping something will stick. I'm almost embaressed for the guys that felt they needed to sign on this retarded ass lawsuit. The worst part is the timing of it. Nothing like waiting to see where you score before complaining. If I had proof of cheatine, I would sure as hell bring it up way before then. But I'm sure it is just a coincidence.

[oldhead]

DAMN Deanwood27, you scored 36 on your test?! That ain't NUTHIN' to be ashamed of. Hell, I scored 100 on my Sgt. exam. Guess how many Sgt.'s got made? 100! Know what I scored on my Lt.'s exam? 65! I finally took the last Capt.'s exam just to see what it was all about and you know what? I didn't even place! Guess I've just reached my highest level of incompetence haha! Don't EVER be ashamed of your score, fuck it, own it baby, own it! Much love my brother, fellow 8th Batt. trash. :D

[ROCKETDriver]

Deanwood27, I feal what you typing on here and agree with you that no one can pinpoint anyone on the list that actually cheated. I agree that we should want a fare and equal testing process. I am a Black Male (Not a Minority) and feel that I have out performed some canidates on this last exam just from the outcome of my individual rankings, BUT my overall ranking placed me at 90! Now if you can explain to me how you can rank #17 in one area, #65 in another area, #11 in another and #26 in the other, how am I ranked #90? puzzles me :confused:. And NO sir, I'm not apart of that Law Suit, cause I figure if you have to cheat to get ahead, then you'll never have a good career and you'll never get the respect you earned for the position! And no I am not blaming anything on racism cause I don't believe in it either (tho, I know it still exists today!), I just don't care to entertain it. When I 1st step foot into DCFD, I was told "Every White man isn't your Enemy, and Every Black man isn't your Friend!". And I've done 19 years in the DCFD living by that quote.

But I do have curiosity about the #'s getting finagled.

All-in-all I plan to do better on the next exam and move on to the next rank, were I plan to chill out and RETIRE from. Aahhh, maybe onemore rank after that, but thats all then I'm OUT! :p

[Loo for life]

ROCKETDriver.... You my friend are correct I have wondered for years how the scoring is done... I will tell you this the tests before 1990 were done as follows

100 question test..Rank order following appeals of questions and addition of points for seniority. Tada no more no less!!

No bullshit touchy feely Asessment Center or writting assignment! Which are subjective by nature!

[Greenshield]

Maybe we need lists with no names, just candidate numbers followed by their every score in every section of the written and assessment center portions. Only the person holding the Candidate number (outside of I/O solutions) would know where they were on the list. They could also compare directly their scores against others. The only way anyone could get wind of your place would be by your loose lips. Those prepping promotions and such would have no idea whom was coming up. Only after promo was made would scores match up to people. It sounds to me that if everyone saw all scores much suspicion could be alleviated.

Think about this as well. For every person advanced in anything do to color or sex, another is denied advancement for the same reason. I.E. 5 people apply for 4 jobs. 4 are orange and one is green, the 4 orange scored higher than the green but three orange and 1 green were hired for the jobs. The green was hired for their color, thus one orange was also denied the job because of theirs. This has been going on since our founding( and long before), persons getting things due to color and/or sex. Isn't it time we stopped it?

[Truth]

Maybe we need lists with no names, just candidate numbers followed by their every score in every section of the written and assessment center portions. Only the person holding the Candidate number (outside of I/O solutions) would know where they were on the list. They could also compare directly their scores against others. The only way anyone could get wind of your place would be by your loose lips. Those prepping promotions and such would have no idea whom was coming up. Only after promo was made would scores match up to people. It sounds to me that if everyone saw all scores much suspicion could be alleviated.

Think about this as well. For every person advanced in anything do to color or sex, another is denied advancement for the same reason. I.E. 5 people apply for 4 jobs. 4 are orange and one is green, the 4 orange scored higher than the green but three orange and 1 green were hired for the jobs. The green was hired for their color, thus one orange was also denied the job because of theirs. This has been going on since our founding( and long before), persons getting things due to color and/or sex. Isn't it time we stopped it?As long as the Green got a job it's ok, noone cares about the orange. The orange isn't considered to have a strong enough lobby and it doesn't have a strong enough special interest base donating to purple.

[dcfdsid]

Another way to eliminate the speculation about what he/she did or did not do in their results is to publish the entire list, with all scores, from all areas.

Dont keep anything a secret/private. If you dont have any secrets, then there wont be any secrets.

sid

[Greenshield]

Maybe we need lists with no names, just candidate numbers followed by their every score in every section of the written and assessment center portions.



Just sayin' :D

[papamama17]

I'm guessing the love affair between the FEMS Administrator and Mendelson is over.
automotive seo (http://seopageone.com)

[HOOKwoMAN]

excuse the harashness of my response, BUT IT IS NO-ONE ELSE'S BUSINESS WHAT THEY SCORED ON THE EXAM. It should be private. We don't need to rate or rank any firefighters or officers in a public announcement.

If you know your own score and place/rank in order for promotion, then you will know when you will be promoted; it's up to you to tell everyone your score and placement on your own accord.

The problem began with accusations regarding placement on the promotional list as far back as the early 60's. The results use to be private but were made public so no one could say they were passed over for a promotion. Nowadays it would be easy to go back to a private register. I need to retire....

[regs1]

HOOKwoMAN

You are correct about the actual test scores this is not public knowledge, but also incorrect on the actual list, this is public knowledge.
On the assessment portion, this problem could be solved by having the assessment center just tell people how, and why they scored. I know for a fact that the assessment companies demand the assessors write down why and how they scored each candidate. Passing along this information will go a long way to solve all misinformation, and actually prepare each candidate for the next time he takes a promotion exam.
As far the cheating part, every promotion exam I ever took had, or even previous tests I heard about given before 1978 - there was always some type of cheating done, in fact in my career in the DCFD, only one test it was proven there was a problem. The people involved were disciplined, but the actual test was never thrown out.

[dcfdsid]

excuse the harashness of my response, BUT IT IS NO-ONE ELSE'S BUSINESS WHAT THEY SCORED ON THE EXAM. It should be private. We don't need to rate or rank any firefighters or officers in a public announcement.

If you know your own score and place/rank in order for promotion, then you will know when you will be promoted; it's up to you to tell everyone your score and placement on your own accord.

The problem began with accusations regarding placement on the promotional list as far back as the early 60's. The results use to be private but were made public so no one could say they were passed over for a promotion. Nowadays it would be easy to go back to a private register. I need to retire....


You are exactly right. The secretive way we have been doing things has worked out so well. Just like our "transparent" admin, keeping thing a secret only leads to rumors and inuendos.


Make everything public. Sequester the SME for 1 week ONLY in a hotel and pay them 24-7. Have them review the test material for inconsistencies for that week and then dismiss them come test time. Of course all of our books have to match each other. What are the chances of that ever happening.