This is basically how the federal government works. Employee-A is a "rock star", she is extremely productive, does great work, inspires others to do great work

This is basically how the federal government works. Employee-A is a "rock star", she is extremely productive, does great work, inspires others to do great work - the rest of the team basically depends on her, but she has to drive her kids to school in the morning and is sometimes 5 or 10 minutes late to the office. Employee-B is basically useless, does as little as possible, helps no one, but is always on time to the office. Now, take a guess who's gonna be promoted. ... I used to do civilian contracting; I saw this situation many times. Totally demoralizing.