Help my plan my split schedule (Fed)

[Anonymous]

We have been given the option to do a split schedule with a requirement to be in the office during the core hours of 10-2PM.

I like to work out in the mornings and realistically the earliest I can get into the office is 9:30.

I could leave at 2 and be home by 2:30, and begin work again starting 2:30.

The idea of leaving the office early as opposed to being stuck until 7PM seems appealing. However, I would have to set up when I get to the office (I don't have a permanent workspace), then pack up and set up again when I get home. Then pack up again that evening to be ready for the next day. That seems terribly disruptive and a lot of additional work. The opposite of efficient, but the alternative is 9 1/2 hours in the office. Either way there is a minimum of 30 minute commute each way.

How would you plan your workday given these parameters (9 1/2 hour days, split schedule option with core hours from 10-2, work outs in morning because no way it will happen after work)? Also, should I assume that I still need to take an extra 30 minutes for lunch, such that I would need to work until 7:30PM?

[Anonymous]

What agency is doing this?

[Anonymous]

You haven't said why you need to do the split schedule. Are you trying to get home for something? What's in it for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You haven't said why you need to do the split schedule. Are you trying to get home for something? What's in it for you?

I don't want to be stuck in the office until late evening, especially during the winter. It's physically uncomfortable (always too hot or too cold), the monitors are not great, gets super dark, and eerily quiet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You haven't said why you need to do the split schedule. Are you trying to get home for something? What's in it for you?

I don't want to be stuck in the office until late evening, especially during the winter. It's physically uncomfortable (always too hot or too cold), the monitors are not great, gets super dark, and eerily quiet.

Also the offices are small and claustrophobic and the chairs are not as comfortable as what I have at home.

[Anonymous]

I think you can count your 30 minute commute as your lunch if you want to. So does that give you 9 hour days?
I don’t really see what your options are other than
In office 9:30-2 (4.5 hours)
At home 2:30-7 (4.5 hours)

How much do you really have to pack up? I’d work on minimizing the amount of stuff you bring into the office so that it’s just a question of putting your laptop in your bag at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you can count your 30 minute commute as your lunch if you want to. So does that give you 9 hour days?
I don’t really see what your options are other than
In office 9:30-2 (4.5 hours)
At home 2:30-7 (4.5 hours)

How much do you really have to pack up? I’d work on minimizing the amount of stuff you bring into the office so that it’s just a question of putting your laptop in your bag at the end of the day.

I thought of that after I posted. Yeah, I suppose less stuff if I'm not stuck there for 9 1/2 hours. I always pack extra stuff because I know I'll be there all day, so without that there will be less to pack up.

[Anonymous]

What stuff do you pack to take? Can't you just leave it in a totebag in the trunk?

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. Don't quite understand the question.

Are you allowed to use a VPN and work from another computer at home and therefore not lug your laptop back and forth?

[Anonymous]

How many days do you work 9.5 hours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you can count your 30 minute commute as your lunch if you want to. So does that give you 9 hour days?
I don’t really see what your options are other than
In office 9:30-2 (4.5 hours)
At home 2:30-7 (4.5 hours)

How much do you really have to pack up? I’d work on minimizing the amount of stuff you bring into the office so that it’s just a question of putting your laptop in your bag at the end of the day.

Yeah this is basically it. You're lucky that the commute can take up that useless lunch break. I'd absolutely jump at this option if I had it, but we're still on "telework is only allowed if the office is closed for weather."

[Anonymous]

Honestly I’d work out earlier and get in earlier. I get why you don’t want to be there late. I’m ok with the eerie quiet in the early morning but it weirdo me out at the end of the day. I’d equally hate moving my work site so that I was in two different places every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. Don't quite understand the question.

Are you allowed to use a VPN and work from another computer at home and therefore not lug your laptop back and forth?

Nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many days do you work 9.5 hours?

Out of a two week period, eight 9.5 hour days. One 8.5 hour day. One day off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What stuff do you pack to take? Can't you just leave it in a totebag in the trunk?

Mostly I do but not my lunch and laptop, which I would need when I get home to finish my day.