You’ve got to hand it to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Although these days, the HUD acronym probably better reflects the title of this post.  It seems that after finishing 24th out of 31 agencies in the Partnership for Public Service employee satisfaction survey in 2009, HUD managed to do even worse in 2010 by finishing tied for dead last.

Rather than, oh I don’t know, seeking to determine the root cause of their staffs’ unhappiness – outside of the fact that they work for HUD – the powers-that-be settled on a different strategy.  Earlier this year, they launched an “I Believe in HUD” promotional campaign designed to rally the troops and boost morale.  Because what every disgruntled employee truly craves is the chance to display to the world the source of their misery.

Yes, that’s right.  HUD’s response to low morale and a nonexistent espirit de corps was apparently to commission a new motto and emblazon it on an assortment of trinkets.  The handsome “I Believe in HUD” trucker’s hat and tote bag are shown below.  Also available are handy items like bibs, mugs, water bottles, bumper stickers, license plate frames and, yes, yard signs (only $14.99!).  Still trying to confirm at press time if magnets and key chains will be added to the mix.

If those Human Resources whizzes at HUD come up with any new, similarly inspired ideas to help turn around those abysmal employee ratings, they might give rise to yet another HUD acronym: How Utterly Dumb.