I confess that I am awestruck by Prez Wilson’s prowess with the crystal ball. Because, you see, I have been thinking about who might be in this list of 800. I believe it includes TPA Directors Corrigan, Molyneaux and Zayak.........?? It includes a majority of the Senior Management and the Command Team. And it includes many Inspectors, Staff Sergeants and Sergeants, besides a few hundred First Class Constables.
What is the one thing that is common among them, besides the fact that most of them wear a uniform?
It is that they have served the number of years that makes them ELIGIBLE to retire with a full pension.
In an organization which can legitimately take pride in the fact that the vast majority of its thousands of employees like to stay and to serve for long years, is it all that surprising that there may be up to 800 people who could retire if they wanted to?
Time for reality check: what has been our experience with turnover?
The number of people leaving because they are eligible to retire on full pension has been pretty consistent over the years. It is in the region of 220-250. In an organization this size, that is not abnormal.
It is to be expected that there will be a proportion of people who, when they are able to do so, will take advantage of their eligibility to either enjoy a slower paced lifestyle or to pursue some other interest.
It is also to be expected that, in addition to people who are eligible to retire, there will be some who will leave voluntarily and earlier than the normal retirees. They may leave due to illness or incapacity, a better job offer, desire to work closer to home, or such negative factors as alienation, disenchantment, disappointment, frustration, etc.
An employer would need to be concerned – in fact, VERY concerned – if there was a very high rate of voluntary separation.
A second reality check: what is our experience?
I believe there are about 30 people who are leaving us before they are eligible to retire. That is 30 out of 5510 uniform and 2200 civilian employees.
And they are leaving primarily because of illness or because they wish to work near where they live.
How many of these 30 have said that they are leaving because the Board has not made them the best paid in the country?
ZERO. Yup, you heard me right. ZERO.
So, I plead with Prez Wilson: please, do not lose sleep or worry too much.
I truly appreciate your concern for the well-being of the organization. But let me assure you, we are doing just fine.
In fact, we are doing very, very fine.
Our recruitments are high. We are getting young people who are bringing new energy, high education, a broad range of experience, and tremendous diversity. With each new group of recruits, our organization is looking more and more like this City.
And we are maintaining a fine balance between youth and experience.
