Surprise email from Supervisor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Your federal employment will likely be terminated very soon, OP.
Your supervisor’s request that you ‘not change your telework day’ and that you ‘spend a minimum of eight hours a day’ reveal that others, not just your supervisor, are watching you and reporting to management your actions which are inconsistent with Federal rules and policy. I have worked for state and Federal agencies for over 30 years. An employee, especially a new employee, does not assume liberties with the work schedule. Arrive on time, work the eight, go home. Communicate with your direct supervisor regarding schedule changes and receive your supervisor’s approval. Don’t ’skip level’- your direct supervisor determines workplace issues.
Frankly, your employer cares not a whit about your ‘work-life balance.’

OP here Do I have any way to salvage the situation?

Yes, OP, do what others have laid out above. I (former fed supervisor) remarked "good response) to one above. Basically pull your act together . arrive before everyone else does, leave after. Work the minimum 8 hours a day where they can see you. Correct the "misimpression" that you weren't at work and not working the full 8 hours. Don't be coy or evasive about going somewhere quiet. If you were actually leaving the office when going somewhere quiet they probably already know that. Deal with the noise problem directly with supervisor so they can see you. Don't stay on your phone when others can see you. Don't ask for a change in your telework day or any other change until your first review which sounds like is in a month. In other words stop being a prima donna and assuming you can do whatever you want and become the ideal employee for the next month Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too many requests too early.

To turn it around, you need 6 months of perfect behavior. This means -

Parking - Leave home 30-60 mins earlier if you have to in order to get a spot on your assigned day & take a walk or something before work. Maybe that’s why you got that day, because all the senior employees know it is a tough parking day & requested others. Parking is not your boss’s problem. You need to be in office on your assigned day.

Working in your assigned space - be there as much as possible. If you need to move for noise control, move to the closest possible spot. Put up a sign at your desk. Ask boss for approval for this plan, and stick to it- absolutely be in your cubicle or the other space. Don’t rotate between 5 spots - you are either in spot A or spot B (with a note at spot A).

Don’t ask for any other changes (like WFH another day instead of your assigned day because a repairman is coming). Just put off personal stuff for 6 months and be at work consistently & without needing accommodations.

6 months from now, and you are a trusted employee, great, you can start to ask about tho gs if you need. Once a boss trusts you, they are totally willing to work with you. But trust has to be earned first, by completely this first 90 days pretty flawlessly. If this doesn’t work out, remember that for next time - in the first 90 days, do the job to the letter exactly how they have stated the job should be done - in x location, on x day, from this time to this time, with this product format/outcome/etc. Figure out how to make it work exactly as they’ve specified for the first few months to earn trust & get a sense for the job, culture, etc. THEN you can request things that might make your life easier, or suggest process improvements, or whatever. But the first few months are to prove that you can get the job done well & are trustworthy.

This is spot on.

Best case scenario: the email was a warning. When your boss counsels you on what you should be doing, say you will and don't give lengthy, or any, justifications about what you did. Listen to what they say and follow it. You are full of reasons but you're wrong and not paying attention to the office culture. Stop being surprised and baffled by everything. It's a job in a hierarchy and you need to follow directions and protocol. This really applies in any job. It's not about what you like or prefer. Learn to read the room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your original message said there was a situation from preventing you from being in the office on a certain day. Now you are saying you were in the office just in a different location in the office?

Well why didn't you just tell your boss that? Or are you not getting the response you want here so story is cuanging?

I think it's two separate issues but the OP's writing isn't exactly the clearest.

Yeah two separate issues telework days and him thinking i am not spending 8 hours at work. i can’t share information on why i couldn’t come to work on that specific day without divulging specific information.

This is a perfect example of your terrible communication skills. If your boss is getting emails like your posts here there may be no salvaging it. I would suggest you speak to your supervisor and not use written communication going forward.

In early, work at desk, head down. At 90 day review pick your biggest issue and present it. Let the other ones go.

Or look for a new job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone assuming OP is a woman?

Not me. OP reads as (a somewhat clueless) man.

Sounds just like my BIL, down to the “work where comfy” protocol. Laid off 3 times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

OP here that is absolutely correct. It was part of intake but I couldn’t find anything for my in office days for first 5 weeks. Now I am all set for future weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

Who cares. Find a way to get to work and to your desk to do your work. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

Who cares. Find a way to get to work and to your desk to do your work. Period.

Yes looks like no one cares. I was getting to work but on a different day. I did raise noise issue when no action was taken I found a quiter place in office to get work done. Wrong assumption on desk situation but not wrong intentions. I am very thankful to folks who gave good suggestions and tried to help. Grateful to all of them. Rest of the folks it good learning even in the bitterness I received from negative comments. God bless you all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

Who cares. Find a way to get to work and to your desk to do your work. Period.

Yes looks like no one cares. I was getting to work but on a different day. I did raise noise issue when no action was taken I found a quiter place in office to get work done. Wrong assumption on desk situation but not wrong intentions. I am very thankful to folks who gave good suggestions and tried to help. Grateful to all of them. Rest of the folks it good learning even in the bitterness I received from negative comments. God bless you all!

OP I don't know why people are piling on. You are in a shtty fed job with a "supervisor" and it's no surprise people want to treat you like a non-thinking automaton, especially the fed managers on here. If you were my employee, I would have measurable ways to check progress and would not be watching you in your chair. I'd be giving you the flexibility to succeed in your first few months. It's so gross that there are feds that just keep track of other people and not their own business. Sickening for taxpayers. They are probably all in the lunchroom eating nibbles of cake (just a taste) but they are gluten free...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

Who cares. Find a way to get to work and to your desk to do your work. Period.

Yes looks like no one cares. I was getting to work but on a different day. I did raise noise issue when no action was taken I found a quiter place in office to get work done. Wrong assumption on desk situation but not wrong intentions. I am very thankful to folks who gave good suggestions and tried to help. Grateful to all of them. Rest of the folks it good learning even in the bitterness I received from negative comments. God bless you all!

Yeah, don't act on your own when "no action taken." Ever. Also, no one cares about intentions. Stop defending your wrong choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

Who cares. Find a way to get to work and to your desk to do your work. Period.

She did. She requested to modify her schedule to match the available parking and be more effective with her working day. That is a way, and a quite reasonable one.

The agency should have guest parking she could utilize until she is fully integrated, that is amateur hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

OP here that is absolutely correct. It was part of intake but I couldn’t find anything for my in office days for first 5 weeks. Now I am all set for future weeks.

Did you switch your in office day once, or once per week for the five weeks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

Who cares. Find a way to get to work and to your desk to do your work. Period.

She did. She requested to modify her schedule to match the available parking and be more effective with her working day. That is a way, and a quite reasonable one.

The agency should have guest parking she could utilize until she is fully integrated, that is amateur hour.

Just stop this PP. that this conversation has continued for this long is troubling.

[Anonymous]

Op, I admire your ability to hear this feedback.

One thing I would do is go see your supervisor in person and apologize/explain. You seem to have a good enough head on your shoulders, and personal communication is always best if you can do it professionally/without being confrontational. I would take the road of thanking them for their guidance and appreciating that you read the room wrong in a new situation to you, and will fix it going forward. Then be a model employee as described above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Was it a one off re: telework day you were seeking permission to change or is it that you want a permanent, ongoing schedule change?

Them thinking you are not working 8 hours because you are not at your desk is a really unfortunate impression that has been created and one that will take time and consistency to correct. You need to understand you are asking permission to make changes, OP, not informing. They think you are playing fast and loose and are taking advantage. You need to correct that in words, in writing and in consistent action of being where you are supposed to be during agreed to hours. If you need a different work station make a proposal to your boss and get his/her decision.

The agency parking was full on the first few weeks of my in person day hence I requested a different day when parking was available. So one off request.

You young people. Get.there.earlier.use.public.transportation. Why is it so hard for you people to understand the world doesn’t revolve around your needs. Lol.

Our agency has a parking request queue which fills up months ahead of time. She may have started and not realized her in office days were already oversubscribed in parking. I doubt it was part of her intake briefing of current allocation.

OP here that is absolutely correct. It was part of intake but I couldn’t find anything for my in office days for first 5 weeks. Now I am all set for future weeks.

Did you switch your in office day once, or once per week for the five weeks?

Don’t answer this OP. It doesn’t matter now. OP knows what he needs to do. I hope it works out for you!