GoldenCheekedWarbler_PlansAandB_KeddyHector_Dean_AustinTX_14June2022_Reel4112.mp3

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:00:00] I'd get calls from employees that worked for the Forest Service that would ask for help.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:00:06] And it was, it was disheartening to talk to an employee who you could tell was really upset and kind of depressed, about a situation in their office and not sure what to do about it.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:00:20] And like your standard prescription as a PEER representative is to, well, you need to start keeping records. You need to write stuff down. You need to decide how badly you want this job.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:00:32] Try to tell them, you know, if you're in a hostile work environment (and that's solely in the eyes of the person like him), you've got to decide if it's worth it in terms of effects on your health and your marriage, to stick it out or get out of there.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:00:47] And I would kind of, I'd kind of be inclined to say, you probably need to get out of there if you're this upset.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:00:53] It's pretty well known that employees, government or not, dealing with situations like this, are going to deal with high blood pressure, alcoholism, you know, there are cardiovascular effects, going to be taking it out on their families. And it's just hard to suppress all the anger you feel.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:01:11] And, which, you know, isn't exactly what you really want. You want the employee to stay there and then leak out information about what their agency is doing.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:01:23] But I always felt like the personal cost of doing that is just (and especially since some of the health effects and marital effects are pretty irreversible) but, that, probably better to get them out of there and have them think of a plan, come up with a plan B.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:01:38] You know, go back to teaching like I did.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:01:41] But it gets so messy.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:01:44] Because you walk into those being very idealistic. You're thinking this is going to be a really neat job, and get to do the things I want to do here, and work with some really nice people.

Dean Keddy-Hector [00:01:55] And it's hard to have to realize you need to leave that behind, look for something fresh.