Co-Founder and Managing Director at Klaros Group | Regulatory Strategy Expert for Banks and Fintechs| x OCC District Counsel and Assistant Director | x Director at Promontory Financial Group
We would’ve been ok for a month. Maybe two. When I was a federal worker with three kids, my entire salary went to child care, mortgage and car payments, student loan payments, retirement contributions, groceries, and gas. If I’d been suddenly fired, my cash on hand would’ve run out very quickly. It would have been an absolute calamity for my family. But I didn’t worry about that happening. I’d traded financial payouts for job security and the satisfaction of working alongside wonderful colleagues dedicated to serving the public. My heart goes out to the federal workers who made this same tradeoff only to have the rug pulled out from under them. Please remember these folks worked hard for us and have families to feed. They deserve compassion and support - not vilification.
So true. I have been heartsick with all that has been going on these past weeks. No one should celebrate terror in the workplace, which federal employees have been subjected to under this administration.
Thank you for sharing Michele Alt-it is so important for people to understand what this means on an individual level and how it then impacts an entire family.
Your key point Michele Alt that everyone misses: "But I didn’t worry about that happening. I’d traded financial payouts for job security and the satisfaction of working alongside wonderful colleagues dedicated to serving the public. " That has always been the deal, that is now broken.
Good message …… and great photo!
[email protected] is the email address all federal employees have been asked to send a 5 bullet point summary email explaining what they accomplished in last 2 weeks. Federal employees have 48 hours to respond. Ostensibly, those emails will be evaluated by a band of 20 something tech bros with no real life experience to determine whether those employees should be fired. Not suggesting this, BUT wouldn’t it be amazing if that email box were to be flooded with responses from ordinary Americans explaining what we know federal employees accomplish for the rest of us every single day?
Anyone who would vilify these courageous public servants has no business in public life.
Indeed brutal. One of the best, balanced sources of commentary I've found is https://www.readtangle.com/. It both links to articles from across the spectrum but, most importantly, provides thoughtful commentary. I don't agree with all the opinions, but there are no rants, and it always makes me think (rather than just reinforcing my default opinions).
I can’t even imagine what these folks are going to do, especially in the higher cost cities. I worked all those years at the OCC for the retirement, healthcare and the good chance to work with some many talented individuals.
Partner at KPMG
1wMichele, you’re always been incredibly corageous and brave to consistently share personal and professional stories that resonate with your professional and personal community. Thank you for being your authentic self. Having a father who dedicated much of his career to public service in terms of leading his country (during ethnic cleansing nonetheless), and for the security of his family to only loose it all with an impeding regime change was dishartening to observe as a child. My heart goes out to every family impacted at the moment.