Returning after DRP

[Anonymous]

Learned today that colleague who took original deferred resignation (with pay thru this month) has formally requested to return. Mixed feelings. We could use another body in my group but wtf? Would a return even be allowed?

[Anonymous]

Technically yes if the agency allowed it. They even acknowledged this in the fork emails that were sent around.

The emails also said acceptance of someone’s withdrawal of their resignation would be unlikely and stated the reasons why, which probably are consistent with OPM rules or the legal reasons agencies can reject it. Not the exact words but to that effect.

[Anonymous]

Oh hell no. Someone stuck us with massive amounts of work for 4-5 months, while still getting paid, and now wants to come back? My office has been so overworked we've had people quit (without even taking DRP!) just due to that. We are struggling so much because we can't hire anyone while we still have DRP people being paid.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. It sounds like the agencies can decide whether to take someone back, i.e. OPM does not prohibit. This will certainly impact morale if employee does return. (The last few months have been rough. I am a bit envious of anyone who has been on paid leave since Feb. and now may return to FT work!)

[Anonymous]

I took the first DRP as well but that sounds unfair to those who stayed. Hope your management exercises better judgement

[Anonymous]

It’s infuriating! We had people return. Long paid time off? While we covered their work!! I barely speak to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s infuriating! We had people return. Long paid time off? While we covered their work!! I barely speak to them.

You can hate those who allowed them to come back but don’t hate them. DRP was out of their control

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s infuriating! We had people return. Long paid time off? While we covered their work!! I barely speak to them.

You’re a psycho

[Anonymous]

My agency is bringing back all the probationary employees they fired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s infuriating! We had people return. Long paid time off? While we covered their work!! I barely speak to them.

You can hate those who allowed them to come back but don’t hate them. DRP was out of their control

No it wasn't. It was a choice. In the end, in my agency, nobody got RIFed. Now all the people who got paid to spend the summer with their kids are coming back. People are right to be mad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s infuriating! We had people return. Long paid time off? While we covered their work!! I barely speak to them.

You can hate those who allowed them to come back but don’t hate them. DRP was out of their control

No it wasn't. It was a choice. In the end, in my agency, nobody got RIFed. Now all the people who got paid to spend the summer with their kids are coming back. People are right to be mad.

Mad at what/who? and Why? You were given the same choice too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s infuriating! We had people return. Long paid time off? While we covered their work!! I barely speak to them.

You can hate those who allowed them to come back but don’t hate them. DRP was out of their control

No it wasn't. It was a choice. In the end, in my agency, nobody got RIFed. Now all the people who got paid to spend the summer with their kids are coming back. People are right to be mad.

I guess this varies by agency but a lot of probies thought they were going to be RIFd and took DRP because they needed time to find a new job. I realize massive RIFs across the board didn't happen but the messaging was much different back then.

[Anonymous]

I can understand the frustration of people stuck with more work but I am not sure why you would need or want to blame or be mad at the people coming back. The blame lies entirely with an incompetent and recklessly cruel Administration for implementing the DRP in the first place. It was never lawful to offer people 6+ months of pay to do nothing and yet they did it anyway, all the while carrying it out with no care or any sense of structure or decency and insulting and decimating the workforce in the process. Now, it sounds like they are owning up to the reality that they can’t accomplish their missions without hiring more people and recognizing that it’s often the same people who left who are (surprise) the most qualified for getting the job done. This more recent development makes a heck of a lot more sense than than the DRP ever did, and if I were those agencies’ staff I would hope I’d be able to look past my frustration as water under the bridge and be able to see the upside to getting capable people to return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can understand the frustration of people stuck with more work but I am not sure why you would need or want to blame or be mad at the people coming back. The blame lies entirely with an incompetent and recklessly cruel Administration for implementing the DRP in the first place. It was never lawful to offer people 6+ months of pay to do nothing and yet they did it anyway, all the while carrying it out with no care or any sense of structure or decency and insulting and decimating the workforce in the process. Now, it sounds like they are owning up to the reality that they can’t accomplish their missions without hiring more people and recognizing that it’s often the same people who left who are (surprise) the most qualified for getting the job done. This more recent development makes a heck of a lot more sense than than the DRP ever did, and if I were those agencies’ staff I would hope I’d be able to look past my frustration as water under the bridge and be able to see the upside to getting capable people to return.

Don’t worry. I blame everyone. But I have to wait until the election to voice my discontent since Feds can’t strike. I will likewise blame any DRP people who return.

[Anonymous]

It's silly to be mad - we all had the same choice. I thought it was dangerous and unwise to take the DRP. I was wrong and it worked out for them. No regrets because it still would have stressed me out too much to be unemployed in this market.

As for sticking you with so much work ... you realize bringing them back will help with that, right? Not bringing them back just to spite yourself is foolish.