Stress

Labor Secretary Pat. Sto. Tomas has resigned her position, citing the stressful environment and workload of her job. She craves surcease and would like the chance to smell the flowers, to spend more time with her children and grandchildren.

She reportedly yearns for some time to rest, the freedom to wake up early and sleep late (or is it to sleep early and wake up late?), not answer phone calls and even take "pilates" lessons, a form of stretching exercises which are said to be more effective than yoga for certain people.

The President has accepted her resignation and may even reassign her to a cushier part-time government position. Evidently, Pat has a pretty serious case of burn-out after the over five years she’s been on the job. I can sympathize with Pat’s agony, having been there and done that, although not with the same admirable longevity as her.

For many of the more visible Cabinet members, public office is by no means a leisurely walk in the park. Oh sure, there are a few out there who are "invisible" but out of delicadeza, I won’t mention them and leave that to you to decide.

To begin with, if you’re serious about the job, there are no "regular" working hours. As a principal line department head, you are a key player in the formulation and implementation of a major aspect of national policy. Your recommendations to the Chief Executive and your own official actions impact on thousands, if not millions, of citizens. Knowing that, you are not likely to sleep too long, even if you had that luxury.

But there are always Cabinet members, even those who pretend to be serious and dedicated public servants, who aren’t bothered by all this responsibility and even seem to thrive under the pressure. They know how to "delegate," they will crow. This usually means they are expert in spotting fall guys and are adept at pointing a finger at some hapless subordinate when things go wrong and the boss glares at you.

These studiedly blasé people also tend to be good actors who can hide emotions and hurts. But in their hours of solitude, they can be as vulnerable and prone to self-doubt as any ordinary human being.

Stress is also a function of dealing with the various publics which any Cabinet official has to contend with, all of whom cannot be pleased all of the time. Labor Secretary Pat Sto. Tomas, for instance, had to deal with both the labor and employer sectors, whose interests are almost always diametrically opposed.

When she had to turn down one side, which happened in most major policy disputes, she incurred the wrath of the other group which never hesitated to take its case directly to media. Thus, it’s not surprising that Sec. Pat cites as among the most stressful areas of her job, the areas of wage increases, strikes and lockouts, and enforcement of labor laws. Whatever the decision of the Secretary, the losing side would question not only her judgment, but often also her intelligence and patriotism.

It appears militant labor groups are celebrating Pat’s imminent departure.

Ironically, they accuse her of profound violations of labor laws. This doesn’t mean that employers’ groups are grieving. If the latter had their way, there would be no minimum wage laws and regional wage guidelines.

Another "public" which a Cabinet member has to contend with is The Boss, or the President. Now Presidents are not built the same way. Each has differing temperament (just ask Acting Education Secretary Fe Hidalgo), work habits and, let’s say it, intelligence. Some chief executives will tell you they look only for the results, but let you go about it your own way. Others nit-pick and micro-manage Cabinet officials every step of the way, but still blame you if the desired results are not achieved. Presidents do have that prerogative.

One President will call you only when there’s a reason, such as a crisis or controversy affecting your area of responsibility. Another will regard you as a captive phone pal or a necessary presence, and require your attendance at all sorts of meetings or ring your cellphone at all hours of the day, night or weekend.

You begin to wonder which is better: that you are at the President’s beck and call, or that you are ignored. But being ignored could also lead to perceptions that you are "out of the loop," a condition which often results in loss of face with media or, worse, to pervasive insecurity about your tenure in office.

Then, of course, there is media. The Labor Department is one of those beats on which media lavish considerable and relentless attention. After all, proposed wage increases, threats of strikes, and the problems of overseas workers are among a journalist’s staple stories. But radio’s prime time starts at 4 a.m., and broadcasters like hectoring high government officials that the workday has begun. It matters little that the official worked late into the night or early morning on official matters.

Throughout the working day, media calls incessantly for interviews, live appearances and late-night talk shows. Again, some officials seem to enjoy all this, not only senators and congressmen. There is such a thing, though, as over-exposure. Sooner rather than later, these accommodating officials tend to wear out the welcome mat.

So, with all these negatives, why do people like Pat Sto. Tomas, who is unquestionably dedicated and eminently capable, despite what labor militants might claim, do it? For many, it’s not the money, although for some it obviously is.

Perhaps it’s the added honor one can include in his curriculum vitae, although I doubt this is strong enough motivation for most accomplished and successful people. On the other hand, there are those who manifestly do not deserve the honor, if such it is, and receive the appointment simply as political accommodation or reward. I don’t include them in these reflections. They don’t tend to be the ones who voluntarily leave or are unduly stressed by the job. They are the ones who have to be dragged out, feet first.

You may find this hard to believe, but I do honestly feel that for many, it is simply the opportunity to serve, to work for the public good and, to use a tired cliché, to make a difference. As human beings, we all make mistakes. Presidents are not immune to this human frailty. But many can look at themselves in the mirror every single day, secure in the knowledge that they have done their best, even if others don’t think their best was good enough.

The day honest and deserving people decline public office because of the stresses and pressures of responsibility is when we should worry about the health and survival of our democracy.