THERE COMES A MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF EVERY IRS TRAINEE WHEN THE SAFE WOMB OF CLASSROOM TRAINING GIVES WAY TO THE HARSH REALITY OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING THEN, THEY MEET REAL IRS MANAGERS WHO SEEK TO MOLD THEM INTO THE MINDLESS AUTOMATONS THE IRS PREFERS. |
Before the trainees arrive the managers prepare for their ordeal. At meeting after meeting, the trainees backgrounds are relentlessly scrutinized. Some managers look for weaknesses, others try to set only the most modest goals for new trainees. |
Webmaster warning: We suggest that you allow all the pictures to load on the page (there are roughly 15 on each) before playing any of the sound files. As before, the pictures will load but the sound files are optional - play if you wish, ignore them if you wish. Some of the audio clips are definitely "R" rated. We mention this not because we expect children to be at this site but because parents are usually more easily shocked than kids! |
The coaches, of course, have a different agenda. Some have varied motives for volunteering but the idea of escaping their inventory is high on the list. Some worry about the quality of the trainees or training conditions; others have their own agenda. |
At long last, the weary trainees arrived from Dallas. Meanwhile, the classroom instructors were delivering their final report to the Area Manager. |
A delegation was on hand from Booze-Allan. They love to remind management that they for the last 3 years, they have called the shots! |
The Area Manager was present to give a short speech about the responsibilities of the new jobs... |
...and then a couple of the Territory Managers came in to abuse them a little. |
Next, the Chief of Information Services dropped by to talk about the IRS computer systems... |
and to warn the trainees about the latest problems. |
When the last of the management clowns had been ushered out, an NTEU representative came in to speak to the trainees about the IRS' leadership. (Hey - its OUR website, we'll do what we want!) |
One trainee explained to NTEU why she had left her prior job, but also indicated that she was thinking of going back to it rather than stay with the IRS another day |
There was a brief delay because a couple of speakers from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration's office were missing, but, they were soon found. |
To their credit, this time the TIGTA spokesperson did not give the trainees the usual "We are here to help you" line of crap. Instead she told them to 'read between the lines." |
The managers were re-admitted for a short report on IRS Attrition from a woman from personnel and an even shorter report from a Labor Relations guy about their usefulness to employees. |
Before the trainees were turned over to the tender mercies of the managers and coaches, an NTEU bargaining team let management know that it would be submitting bargaining proposals to protect them. |
[ This is the one we warned you about, above! ] |