Washington's information technology (IT) employees are calling on the state's human resources department to stop devaluing their work. A delegation of WFSE members delivered a petition with more than 500 of their coworkers' signatures to Assistant Director of State HR Henry Plaistowe on Tuesday, March 19.
The state began unveiling a new IT structure early this year that was designed to help recruit and retain IT professionals. However, hundreds of employees have said that the manner in which the new structure is being implemented will make the problem even worse.
"We told the Assistant Director of State HR Franklin Plaistowe how the rollout of the new structure is negatively impacting our families and the agencies we serve," said WFSE Secretary and IT Specialist III Tracy Stanley.
"They should step back, reassess the accuracy of our IT position descriptions, and then reassess the preliminary results of our reallocations in the new structure."
IT employees provide a wide array of services to ensure the efficient flow of information and utilization of technology within state agencies. If the goal is recruitment and retention, HR should roll out the new IT professional structure in a way that respects and recognizes their important work.
Questions about the new IT structure? Learn more about the transition here.
