Surprise email from Supervisor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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...

Slightly off-topic, but as someone who reads DCUM but is not from DC area, I often find the concrete, black and white thinking and parenting on here really puzzling. Such an odd mix of high education and low cognitive flexibility. Now, with this thread, I am starting to understand! Sociologically, it's fascinating. Sad, but fascinating.

Very interesting meta-analysis of this thread and DCUM, and I could not agree more! It is very odd and off-putting profile: non-creative, extremely risk-averse, formulaic, status-obsessed, rigid and often highly educated.

Wouldn't you expect this of high-achievers, government employees, lawyers, etc.?

We get rewarded for consistently showing up, going the extra mile, making and playing by rules, etc.

D.C. is not a "fail fast" or "move fast and break things" kind of place.

What has messed things up socially is whiplash RTO after WFH.

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

NP but not necessarily, if their original in-office day overlaps with a lot of team members, but their new day does not.

OP is unfortunately being high maintenance in two different ways right off the bat. One may be acceptable, but two may be rubbing their supervisor the wrong way, especially if OP is not a superstar otherwise. But OP can take the advice given by PPs and hopefully recover.

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

Except that isn’t how it works in Op’s agency. Or she wouldn’t have received the email from her supervisor.

Or OP’s supervisor is rigid, in addition to being a poor communicator. Come on people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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...

Slightly off-topic, but as someone who reads DCUM but is not from DC area, I often find the concrete, black and white thinking and parenting on here really puzzling. Such an odd mix of high education and low cognitive flexibility. Now, with this thread, I am starting to understand! Sociologically, it's fascinating. Sad, but fascinating.

Very interesting meta-analysis of this thread and DCUM, and I could not agree more! It is very odd and off-putting profile: non-creative, extremely risk-averse, formulaic, status-obsessed, rigid and often highly educated.

Wouldn't you expect this of high-achievers, government employees, lawyers, etc.?

We get rewarded for consistently showing up, going the extra mile, making and playing by rules, etc.

D.C. is not a "fail fast" or "move fast and break things" kind of place.

What has messed things up socially is whiplash RTO after WFH.

All of this.

And people are also saying you only have one chance to make a solid first impression. The replies would have been very different if OP said they'd been in the job for r years, viewed as a consistent high performer, and now asked for some minor flexibilities.

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

Except that isn’t how it works in Op’s agency. Or she wouldn’t have received the email from her supervisor.

Or OP’s supervisor is rigid, in addition to being a poor communicator. Come on people.

.


Op is a poor communicator.

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

Except that isn’t how it works in Op’s agency. Or she wouldn’t have received the email from her supervisor.

Or OP’s supervisor is rigid, in addition to being a poor communicator. Come on people.

You don’t know that at all. But we do know that OP has communication issues and poor judgment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

Except that isn’t how it works in Op’s agency. Or she wouldn’t have received the email from her supervisor.

Or OP’s supervisor is rigid, in addition to being a poor communicator. Come on people.

You don’t know that at all. But we do know that OP has communication issues and poor judgment

I think OP communicates fairly well but comes off as inexperienced, and is displaying good instincts by asking for advice. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Why is everyone saying 90 days is the probationary period? It's one year. And you can be fired for any reason, at any time during that first year. People are regularly let go during that time period.

I'm a lenient manager and I wouldn't be happy to go past my employee's desks and they're always gone or working in a different cubicle. Support services would yell at me if one of my employees was in the wrong cubicle- it's just not allowed.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that OP’s supervisor didn’t say anything to OP before raising the issue up and basically accusing OP of time card fraud without a conversation. That’s pretty crappy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP’s supervisor didn’t say anything to OP before raising the issue up and basically accusing OP of time card fraud without a conversation. That’s pretty crappy.

Yawn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP’s supervisor didn’t say anything to OP before raising the issue up and basically accusing OP of time card fraud without a conversation. That’s pretty crappy.

And the OP did say they were working somewhere else for any reason. So the supervisor has no way of knowing. They see their employee is jot there but timecard says they are working.

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

This is not how government works and not how being a new employee works.

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

Except that isn’t how it works in Op’s agency. Or she wouldn’t have received the email from her supervisor.

Or OP’s supervisor is rigid, in addition to being a poor communicator. Come on people.

You know nothing of OP’s supervisor and nothing about being a fed supervisor. Who are you to judge?

[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.

Oh, OP, you aren’t a problem solver are you? You think you are fixing things but you just don’t understand that being new means you keep quiet, do your work, pay attention to how things work. You accommodate them and once you’re established yourself as a good work, then you can slowly see about getting things changed.

OP literally solved the problem by offering to switch telework to a different day. Which is a totally logical thing to do.

This is not how government works and not how being a new employee works.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that OP’s supervisor didn’t say anything to OP before raising the issue up and basically accusing OP of time card fraud without a conversation. That’s pretty crappy.

A) you actually don’t know what happened. You are getting only OP’s side (and poorly reported) side of the story
B) OP buried the lead about the 8 hour missing time problem-another had to pull that fact out of her
C) the supervisor did not “basically accuse OP of time card fraud” anywhere
D) fed supervisors have a lot to do and often have many to supervise. I had 105 employees reporting to me. Supervisor and HR thinks the new employee is AWOL and OP has admitted she goes to a “quiet place” which I suspect was home. And they can document it or they wouldn’t have sent that email
E) so instead of trying to find a way to
blame the supervisor (not the subject of this thread) why don’t you help OP to become more professional and solve her problem?