First, she desires to increase the number of paid holidays by adding five more holidays, including Indigenous People's Day and a "Spring Break" over the Easter weekend.
Second, "Starting January 1, 2027, everybody gets their birthday off," she said with a smile. "When you can't pay people, you gotta' give them days off. That is how we increase morale. That, and cupcakes. I find cupcakes work really well. The pizza thing? Overdone."
I like both of these ideas, but I have to stay away from both cupcakes and pizza.
81 comments:
When bringing cupcakes Tara needs to go to every county office to ascertain how many positions need to be filled in every office. You cannot operate county offices without the required personnel. When McClure was in office he never filled any clerical positions when a person retired or left their position. I encourage Tara to ask each department head how many vacancies they have in each office. I’m sure since she was elected she has not visited the county offices located in the government center building.
Cute! but you can't pay the rent, gas, food, or car payments with days off. Sounds like Barron is giving her advice. Hiring two high paid and unnecessary pol pals for Gracedale management and now this. People were divided on if she would be a bold breath of fresh air or just McClure's pawn. Unfortunately, we are getting our answer. Have a cupcake!
How cute, cupcakes and days off. Is there any chance of her hitting the real problems of finance and much needed staff in the near future?
Well, it's not like workers can be less productive. Just give 'em a month off and nobody will notice. The rest of us will keep working to support the goldbricks. No wonder people hate the government.
It's money Tara. You gotta pay your employees a decent wage. It's all about the money. Morale will go up once you pay your employees a decent wage.
How sweet
Well shit between paid holidays and regular vacation time there will be nobody to work LOL!!! Is there any doubt that this woman is in way over her head!
So, how many paid holidays do they get now? 11 or 12 I bet. So 16 paid holidays? Really??? What about the jail Gracedale the Coroner office ect that have to work those new holidays? They will all get time and a half holiday pay. THIS WILL COST MONEY!
Doesn't pay the bills!
Typical union butt kissing trick at the taxpayer's expense.
We want to increase the pay, not reduce productivity. Clueless!!
In other words, dear county worker, you won't be getting a raise and your medical will be going up again. But take your birthday off and here, have a cupcake.
Congratulations Tara! You just insulted every Italian in the county!
Zrinski is coming up with great ideas! Good job!
More time off, just what a government employee needs. Things don't get done timely as so as it is. So easy for politicians to burn through other peoples money. She's such a typical politician, the type most rationale people are tired of these days.
Will she be delivering the cupcakes in person on birthdays? That would just make that idea “icing on the cake”.
Norco is a sweet place to work. 17 Holidays. To start you get 2 weeks of vacation. You get 12 Sick Days. And, 6 Personal Days. And, that’s just to start. 12 months of pay for less than 10 months work.
What? No ban on plastic straws? When is she going to tackle the real issues?
How will this extra time off work for 24/7 employees like those at the jail, 911, gracedale? Or those departments facing mandated overtime already? I think giving folks more time off is a great idea but I also worry that some of the departments with the lowest morale at the county won’t actually get to take advantage of this and then it will actually make the morale problem worse? Unfortunately, I don’t think cupcakes will make that better.
County employees have more time off than snyone in the private sector especially holidays and sick days and personal days...Tara just revealed how little she understands.. more time off when there I s no staff means more overtime mandated and more agency.it means staffing levels in 24/7 operations remain low. It means not being able to meet staffing levels that are already low that will impact care at gracedale. If its meant for non union all I can day is 12 holidays a year not enough for staff working Monday to Friday without being ever mandated? This is a terrible idea. Will cost money and won't help staff morale position numbers or staffing. Insane feel good answer that will not work
What is it with these snowflake liberals and their birthdays?? Get your ass to work!!
I have no data to back this up, but believe that the happier an employee is, the more productive. I believe little things like birthdays off show county workers they are appreciated. Yes, it costs money nut not as much as training a new worker. It makes it easier to retain and attract new workers, which could mean fewer mandates. And a cupcake from the county exec? Why not? I remember when county execs walked the halls and knew what was going on in each office. I remember when they handed out small tokens at Christmas. People appreciated it. They felt valuable and they were appreciated.
Nice try Bullhorn- stop listening to Barron & your union bosses, and start paying people! I've never met a more incompetent person in all my life- she can't make 1 decision on her own.
Don’t forget the cupcake lol!
As predicted, this blog has gone from the kiss Lamont’s ass blog to the I have a crush on Tara blog. The woman is fruit loop!!
TZ speaks like a politician!! Once again, not many of them have actually owned a business or had the responsibility for making a product (or providing a service) There are no FREE DAYS OFF! One does not necessarily work to have FUN and eat CUPCAKES!! What a pandering Liberal/Democratic asinine idea!
As a county employee, I appreciate the extra days off. Many other counties get them. It’s an incentive when you can’t increase wages to what they really should be. It gives us added time to spend with our families. At least Tara is doing something for staff morale. Thank you Tara!
WHAT WE NEED IS HIGHER RAISES!
Perhaps nap time and show and tell would also boost morale. Outside recess would also be a morale booster. Use that union labor to build a swingset and sliding board. Everyone is a winner.
Personal days are for birthdays already. I love feel good things that show appreciation too. However being very familiar with staffing and staffing and financial issues this will not change anything and in fact will make it worse. Keep the cupcake idea its very nice but that's where her idea ends if you want positive change. Common sense cant staff now more time off costs more money in replacing the open position
Thanks for the laugh
Another thought. I strongly agree people appreciate feeling valued. One way to show that is daily interaction, listening,being present and making the employees workload manageable
. Not having enough positions is the primary problem. I have worked years with counties on this issue and most executives shut any discussion down about it as they see it as costing money. When in fact it saves money and improves morale by staff having enough coworkers to get the job done and avoid burn out and mandated overtime. The cost is originally high with benefits and pensions but over time clearly outweighs overtime and agency costs and turnover costs. Show you value them by getting what they need so they can enjoy their jobs again while at work
Bernie: As a fellow public servant who happily comes to work on my birthday, I get my show of appreciation every other Friday.
What a sad and miserable life you must have. First, government is NOT a business. Second, work should be fun in the sense that it should be something you love and that might help this world. I blog because I like it and consider it a public service, not because of the sMALL amount of money I eaRN. If you hate what you do, quit and find something you like. Then perhaps you'll be less miserable.
As someone who used to work at the county, I can tell you employees in some departments come and go as they please, without taking proper time off. There are those who are out the door at 2pm daily, and those that take longer lunch breaks and may even engage in some alcohol consumption during lunch. Let’s focus on holding county employees accountable before giving them more benefits.
You mean 10 holidays. Def not 17.
10,000 thumbs up - best comment of the day
Unions have already been notified this has nothing to do with them. As always!!!! Blizzard, stay home and get paid, hurricane, stay home and get paid, covid ,stay home for months and get paid. Weekends you enjoy every single one. Run out that door at 4:30.
Well COs aren't allowed to go outside anymore. Gotta stay locked in like the inmates. Oh yeah, it's just the COS. Everyone else that works there can come and go as they please.. Need a break to get some fresh air...not for COs. Want a minute to walk something off you just dealt with!!! Not outside for a CO. Inmates have more rights then the COs anymore. And it's getting worse.
And it’s only April. Sigh!
I don’t know. There’s a religious group that doesn’t celebrate birthdays believing that it displeases God. Why we have personal days.
Please tell me what other county has 17 paid holidays lol.
Yay!!!
Laughing and joking aside, there are serious consequences to this. Once these new holidays are given the unions will never allow them to be clawed back. 17 paid holidays, I mean give me a break! I bust my hump to pay taxes for this? Please elect a serious leader who knows what they’re doing!!!
The guy speaks truth Bernie. Sad and miserable life? Huh? Because he pays taxes and expects county workers to do their job??? He is right about her having no business experience, no leadership experience, not any background at all to lead a county of this size with this many employees and budget. 17 paid holidays is excessive in my view. Throw them Columbus Day, but don’t call it that woke bullshit indigenous peoples day.
Bernie O’Hare said: “I have no data to back this up, but believe that the happier an employee is, the more productive.”
Out of all the stupid statements you’ve made, this one should be in the Hall of Fame.
Maybe employees would be happier getting paid to not work at all. Would that make them more productive? Of course not!
I think the problem is that the county executive is going to make a decision that will end up costing the taxpayers millions, and will also make that decision “without anything to back it up.”
And as far as the cupcake, if it’s coming from Zrinski, a nut cake would be more appropriate.
How much will it cost county taxpayers to hire the additional employees to do the work that won’t be getting done by current county workforce while they’re enjoying their additional FIVE PAID holidays PLUS their birthday off? Will overtime for current employees be needed or will it mean hiring additional employees to cover that workload?
And if the county can give all employees FIVE more holidays plus their birthday off without overtime or hiring additional employees and still get all the necessary work done, maybe it’s time to look at trimming the county workforce.
That way, Zrinski can cut taxes and “boost the morale” of county TAXPAYERS!
Cupcakes are very nice. Especially with sprinkles.
Tara’s response to employees; let them eat cake!!!!!!!
If she’s adding 5 more then it’s 15. Most get 10 or 11.
Probably not. It's far more important to debate the merits of pizza versus cupcakes. But wait what about donuts? Now we have a real crisis. I just can't with these people anymore.
Well this will be a big hit with some of those entitled workers who feel the world owes them a living and they won't be miserable about, well you know, actually working.
Over many years we left the no-good politicians raise our taxes on all levels of government to levels that are bankrupting many of us citizens. we the people must change this any way we can. taxes are a legalized way of robbery.
Tara will never save Gracedale since people mandated during an emergency don’t care about these days off since they will be working to take care of residents and the last thing they think of are cupcakes on a birthday or indigenous people’s day. Jeez how can we get rid of her?
Why cant you go outside on a break?
What happened? You get caught?
As someone who works in the corporate world, these proposals are utter nonsense. Spring break? Take vacation or personal days. Cupcakes? Get better medical coverage for the diabetics you’ll create. How about creating a respectful and professional workplace? You are running county government, Ms. Zirinski, not a summer camp. Get a clue. (And lose the gum and dress more professionally, too. You are trying way too hard to be hip and cool.)
I understand the goal—morale and retention matter. But let’s be clear about what’s being proposed.
Adding six additional paid days off is not a small perk. It’s a multi-million-dollar annual cost to taxpayers when you account for salaries, overtime for essential services, and the impact on operations. The work doesn’t stop—someone still has to cover it, and that cost increases.
This isn’t just about morale. It’s a compensation decision. And decisions like that require transparency, clear cost projections, and an honest conversation about tradeoffs.
I’m not opposed to investing in employees. But it needs to be done with discipline and a full understanding of the impact—not dressed up as something smaller than it is.
End of the day - this cost tax payers.
Wasn’t a pay study done? Government can’t be paid like the private sector - you are a public servant.
Again, no friggin ziti!!!???
Hmmmm…let’s see, cupcakes or better wages and scheduling…oh, and days off or better overtime offerings….hmmmmmm
Vanilla or chocolate?
Rather than giving Birthdays off --just increase and add 1 additional personal day off for the employee to use when better needed. If they prefer they can use it on their birthday. What do you do if your birthday falls on the weekend or on another existing holidays like Christmas or 4th of July???
It’s almost like she still hasn’t hired a fiscal director…
This is what the Northampton County voters, voted for Executive.
What happens if your birthday falls on a weekend or one of the 17 days off? Do you get to take it on another day or do you not get that perk?
She/they still have no Fiscal Director….cupcakes yes,
The county has always made changes and thought about the ramifications of it after. The real problem exists because those in charge have no clue what the staff is supposed to do. Job descriptions are a joke. They were written for the person who they wanted to give the job too. Standards were lowered to be able to hire. Employment tests are not being given to everyone anymore. If the new hire can’t cut it in their new position they just move them to something else. That something else might have required a test. If you can’t pass the test you can’t do the job. WAKE UP ADMINISTRATION. Learn to listen to the people actually doing the jobs. Maybe 3/4 of the employees would still be there.
7:43 am: They’ll probably get to take the day at another time. You know, like a personal day. Zrinski is such a poser.
Maybe they can use it during the pay period their birthday falls?
Did ya want to eat your cupcake while on ot?
Uh…the County hasn’t raised taxes in 8 years….
Wow you have no idea the amount of work that county employees are dealing with! You wouldn't last a day, loser.
Not totally. Having proper staff to lessen the burden of huge caseloads would be better
I have worked at the county for 21 years. I have never seen this. Stop contributing the the falsehood that county workers are lazy! Most of you commenting wouldn't last one day doing what I do for the pay!
The sad thing is that Tara is reading the comments of common sense on this blog and totally disrespecting and disregarding them as she did when she came to our property asking for our vote when our political signs indicated otherwise. She never knows when to take a “no” but she’ll learn soon.
Tara is not qualified nor mature enough to handle Northampton County and the many levels of responsibility it currently has.
The most pressing concerns that the County Executive and Council need to address are being
overshadowed by photo op moments and diversionary narration. There are consequences that will hit this county both financially and personally because of failure to respond. Fix the personnel/Gracedale three alarm fire and then address the real budgetary needs for this upcoming year, or own the failure of Gracedale and the increase in our taxes.
While that is nice she should really address the real issues. During Mcclure’s time clerical spots weren’t filled when people retired or left leaving quite a few offices understaffed and overwhelmed with work… one clerk doing the work of 3. That’s how he was able to not raise taxes. Overwork the employees for little money.. if you complained you could leave… McClure stated this to a few people. Offices lost competent employees who found jobs elsewhere for more money, better benefits and less work. He could care less about anyone but himself and what you could do for him. You should seriously look into this. Ask the people who “left” his administration.
Why give employees more time off? Many of them abuse work time by running their personal errands on work time above and beyond 2 hour lunch breaks some take! You know who you are too!
Gracedale administration is running like a shitshow.....they are lying about agency staff ..they are 80% not 60% they are fudging numbers....they are sweeping alot of stuff under rugs EVERYDAY!! Tara has not been to Gracedale once to talk about problems...and I hear she wants to bring in companies to help update Gracedale which means big business will have there hand in the pot in and eventually buy Gracedale.....they can't pay Gracedale employees so we are doomed
CO union has 16 calendar holidays. Flag day being one of them...
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