Are things calming down, Feds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want to cut 50% so it's not calming down.

There’s no way they’re cutting 50%. That’s bluster.

They are shutting everything down, keeping just “essential” and building back from that.

Previous shutdowns already showed they can operate for a long time without nonessential, pandemic shutdowns also reinforced that idea. And they can hire back people as they find a need, but only after trying to privatize it.

Sorry what were these pandemic shutdowns? I never once had a day of admin leave or that I was shut down. I was in office one day and the next I was required to telework full time (despite not having an office at home because I’d never teleworked before).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel calm for now. I will worry about things when they happen.

This. We’re in for a long haul, people. Constantly freaking out does no good, at all. It’s what they want us to do. Staying calm is resisting.

That, and as a supervisor, I can’t afford to be flipping the f out all the time.

This. They talk a lot of talk, but when I look at it immediately surroundings, dry little has changed other than the fact that I see my staff in person a bit more. Not that what HAS happened elsewhere isn’t horrible—it’s just not happening to me and there’s very little I can do to help other than stay calm and competent.

USAID person here. This was my attitude, shared by many coworkers. I now wish we had freaked out more and earlier. We should have blown whistles, created paper trails, questioned orders, coordinated with outside allies.

If I could give advice to my January 20th self, it would be: Do not be the frog in the pot.

What exactly do you think you can do before? We can’t strike. What leverage do you think we have? Do our job REALLY good so they appreciate us? Write to the Oligarch newspapers? Look for another job, that’s what I’m doing because that’s the only prep worth anything.

I keep thinking about this. We can’t strike but we did sign an oath to defend our government from enemies foreign and domestic. At what point in the dismantling of the government do we need to take action to defend it in line with our oath. My agency is being gutted and sold off for parts. Just showing up every day and waiting for the RIF feels unpatriotic.

No, you did NOT take an oath to defend the GOVERNMENT. And herein lies the problem…

[Anonymous]

No!

Just wrote a one sentence justification for one of my contracts for review by higher ups.

I’m praying to keep my projects and my contractors working.

[Anonymous]

Are FDA firings over or still going on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are FDA firings over or still going on?

What?! No. VERA and VISP have been offered. More RIFs coming based on how many took that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are FDA firings over or still going on?

What?! No. VERA and VISP have been offered. More RIFs coming based on how many took that.

Are people taking these offers? Is there a steady exodus?

This, CDC, and NIH firings and cuttings are actually pretty scary for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I am at the EPA--please EPA offer VISP and VERA now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am at the EPA--please EPA offer VISP and VERA now

What advantages do you lose if you're VERA eligible, don't take it, and end up getting Riffed?

[Anonymous]

The one difference I have seen is with the FERS supplement. To get supplement under RIF you need to be 60yo. VERA allows MRA to qualify for supplement.

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c044.pdf#page9

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c051.pdf#page6

[Anonymous]

I spent my day scanning my publications for words like equity, bias, gender, boy/girl. Insanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spent my day scanning my publications for words like equity, bias, gender, boy/girl. Insanity.

Weeks ago we had to defend every use of equity in relation to the tax code. AYFKM. Do they not know words have varying definitions and EQUITY in relation to assets, has nothing to do with the equity they are trying to vanquish? I found the waste, fraud, and abuse!!!!!! It’s the time a whole bunch of SES and 15s had tho spend performing that exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like things are calming down. I think so many of us thought it would be the chance to get rid of low performers but nope.

I never thought that. It has been crystal clear from day one that this administration doesn’t care about efficiency or performance. It is purely slash and burn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am at the EPA--please EPA offer VISP and VERA now

What advantages do you lose if you're VERA eligible, don't take it, and end up getting Riffed?

you lose out on whatever the VERA buyout offer is, generally $25-50k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spent my day scanning my publications for words like equity, bias, gender, boy/girl. Insanity.

I think this is my line, TBH. My agency is removing stuff, we're not publishing finished projects including "forbidden" words, but I'm not going to change or pull anything down myself. They're not going to let me stick around doing real research for 4 years anyway, it's just a matter of time.