Gov’t Contractors - End of Telework

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH works for a defense contractor and just got notice this morning that he has to return in offfice 5 days/ week. It’s fine for him but some of his colleagues moved to far flung places like Florida and Colorado and are panicking. I guess this is actually happening.

They chose to move away from their jobs. That was foolish

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH works for a defense contractor and just got notice this morning that he has to return in offfice 5 days/ week. It’s fine for him but some of his colleagues moved to far flung places like Florida and Colorado and are panicking. I guess this is actually happening.

Too bad for the idiots.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, but people knew this was going to happen when Covid hit. How is this a surprise to anybody? It was never going to be permanent.

I recall having discussions here warning people not to move out to far-flung areas because of remote work. And some people did? That is on them. Were they still getting locality pay if they’re based out of Washington DC but they moved to a cheaper state (legit q).

[Anonymous]

Surprising. My agency had contractors be fully remote for years because there's no space for them.

DH is a subcontractor and the agency doesn't provide physical space. His employer has an office but doesn't bring them in because that would be pointless and costly. He is the only one in DC, I think his boss is in Colorado.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, but people knew this was going to happen when Covid hit. How is this a surprise to anybody? It was never going to be permanent.

I recall having discussions here warning people not to move out to far-flung areas because of remote work. And some people did? That is on them. Were they still getting locality pay if they’re based out of Washington DC but they moved to a cheaper state (legit q).

No, they get the locality pay of where they live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a fed and I know some of my contractors are being told to come in full time. I am really concerned I'm going to lose some of my most experienced, brilliant team members who can easily retire or get a different job. I've told them that obviously they have to follow their employer's guidelines, but that as far as I'm concerned they've been doing exceptional work in our current hybrid setup.

Yep, this. We have engineers all over the country. This is going to 100% slow down some of the ship replacements. Meanwhile China and Russia are building like crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then they can get a job there. Or move back.

While 1-2 days/week telework is reasonable, living in Florida isn't.

Who made you in charge of determining what's reasonable and what's not?

Not poster, but I am a taxpayer, therefore I pay your salary. You understand that, don't you?

I also pay taxes. I think your idea is stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a fed and I know some of my contractors are being told to come in full time. I am really concerned I'm going to lose some of my most experienced, brilliant team members who can easily retire or get a different job. I've told them that obviously they have to follow their employer's guidelines, but that as far as I'm concerned they've been doing exceptional work in our current hybrid setup.

They may be able to retire, but I'm suspecting they won't. Don't worry about them getting new jobs, the job market is about to lock up, with lots of 5 days a week in the office requirements. A few people may leave, but the majority will suck it up and commute in.

Contractors will offset the commute cost back to the government. Then the pendulum will swing back the other way.

[Anonymous]

Retirement isn't a bad thing. It frees up the job market so everyone can move up, and there are jobs for college grads. Let the market work people.

[Anonymous]

How about the person(s) 'doing the job' by playing golf four times a week? Asking for a friend.

[Anonymous]

It really sucks. My spouse is losing good coworkers and the commute is sole sucking. They were working at home long before Covid. 9-10 hour days are now easily 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a fed and I know some of my contractors are being told to come in full time. I am really concerned I'm going to lose some of my most experienced, brilliant team members who can easily retire or get a different job. I've told them that obviously they have to follow their employer's guidelines, but that as far as I'm concerned they've been doing exceptional work in our current hybrid setup.

They may be able to retire, but I'm suspecting they won't. Don't worry about them getting new jobs, the job market is about to lock up, with lots of 5 days a week in the office requirements. A few people may leave, but the majority will suck it up and commute in.

Contractors will offset the commute cost back to the government. Then the pendulum will swing back the other way.

No, they will not. You only get commute help if you metro. Many jobs are not metro accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, but people knew this was going to happen when Covid hit. How is this a surprise to anybody? It was never going to be permanent.

I recall having discussions here warning people not to move out to far-flung areas because of remote work. And some people did? That is on them. Were they still getting locality pay if they’re based out of Washington DC but they moved to a cheaper state (legit q).

Really? My spouse was working from home long before Covid. It sucks there are no more medical exemptions too.

[Anonymous]

We just got done negotiating a huge contract renewal. The agency was pushing for cost cuts so we offered putting more of our people remote so we could save on office costs. They took it. Those realities are going to play out over and over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about the person(s) 'doing the job' by playing golf four times a week? Asking for a friend.

Feel free to report them to fraud waste and abuse. They'll go to the top of the list.