unfortunately, the VA is not the only gov't system where this exists. Buddy of mine is a manager for my local city. He inherited an employee that was a total screw up. Completely without any redeeming qualities whatsoever.
After giving the guy far too many chances, my buddy went to his manager and said "I know I'm new here, but what am I going to do with this guy?"
Manager told him, approximately, that it would be faster to go down to the problem employee's cubicle, shoot him, do the time, and come back to work....than to try to navigate the firing process.
So, my buddy did exactly what happened to him....when the next sucker, erm new manager, came in...the problem employee was foisted off onto the new guy.
My tax dollars at work.
I hate to admit that I did the same thing. I felt awful about it, but this guy was driving me insane. Always taking off for ‘union’ time, always moaning and complaining, always reporting me to the union for being ‘unfair’ to him.
So, when a supervisor from another department called me for a reference I gave the guy a fair enough one to be considered for the vacancy. He got the job and even though I pitied his new supervisor a great weight was lifted from me and I was able to be a better manager.
{{Here’s a prayer up asking that I be forgiven for what I did to _____ for giving him ____ at the V.A.}}