In recent years, Social Security has permitted or even encouraged, some of their workers to perform their jobs from home. They called it TeleWork. The goals of the program were admirable: fewer workers meant less need for leased office space, for example
Now the party is over. Social Security announced that all those teleworkers need to get back in their cars and head to the local office again. The purported reason for this change is to improve customer service. We’ll see.
Bad News For Netflix?
My favorite response to this news was the suggestion to short-sell Netflix stock. The idea behind this wit is that there will soon be fewer folks sitting around all day watching Friends and, ironically, The Office. This joke may overstate the situation a little, but there is also a lot of truth in it.
Doesn’t Seem Like There Was Much Work In TeleWork
I have dealt with Social Security employees who are “working” from home. I can’t prove anything, but it sure seems like they were even less available than those sad souls who had to get dressed and go to work in a Social Security office. The temptation to goof off, or not work at all is very powerful when you are in your house in your pajamas.
Better Customer Service?
We are paying these people to work. I say having them get dressed and report for duty is the least we can expect. Will it improve customer service? I don’t know. My guess is: Of course not.
