Prepare a response to the following discussion board post: Class, The article I
ID: 3499317 • Letter: P
Question
Prepare a response to the following discussion board post:
Class,
The article I found is focused on retaliation in the Veterans Affairs. Whistleblowers in the VA faced retaliation when they tried to improve conditions in their area or hold their managers accountable (Westervelt 2018). Some retaliation that worker in Central Alabama faced were physical isolation, verbal abuse, bullying, and counter-investigations (Westervelt 2018). There were also employees who were stealing food from the kitchen, using it in their catering business (Westervelt 2018). There were multiple stories where a manager would be working to discipline employees and then be put under investigation for abuse of authority (Westervelt 2018).
This is a very obvious example of corruption. Corruption is “the unauthorized us of public office for private gain,” (Borick et al 2017, 195). The individual who used the government employees, food, and time for their own catering business is a textbook example of corruption and unethical behavior.
One way to improve the effectiveness of the VA and to reduce the corruption would be to start having managers be responsible for smaller groups and only having one boss. Having the managers have a smaller span of control allows them to focus on those specific employees (Borick et al 2017, 239). Also, by giving subordinates a unity of command the subordinates will have fewer conflicting messages from leadership which will result in them being able to hear their responsibilities by only one individual (Borick et al 2017, 239).
Unfortunately, the corruption in the VA affects numerous retired and separated service members. There is currently a larger focus in the media and in the public conscience that will hopefully allow the VA to be reformed.
Borick, Christopher P. Albert C. Hyde E. W. Russell, and Jay M. Shafritz. Introducing Public Administration. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2017.
Westervelt, Eric. "For VA Whistleblowers, A Culture Of Fear And Retaliation." NPR. June 21, 2018. Accessed August 28, 2018. https://www.npr.org/2018/06/21/601127245/for-va-whistleblowers-a-culture-of-fear-and-retaliation (Links
Explanation / Answer
Corruption is one of the plagues that has liked the ethics and morality among the people. Corruption is not a new phenomenon that had entered the world most recently but it's an age old thing with one difference, intensity. With the corporate companies running the government, they buy almost everyone with their money and they operate most of the powerful governments in the world.
It's very sad that it had crept into the Veterans Affairs too. Corruption is less only in countries that has very strong punishment system. Only the hard hand of the law can keep corruption in control, especially in places such as Veterans Affairs where the benefits and rights are violated. Even if we bring in some organisational changes in the way things are managed, it's all about people and their integrity and severe punishment system is the only thing that could keep things in control and corruption away.