Feds and stress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Playing a game of musical chairs by going on TDY assignments and mostly coasting during those assignments until I find somewhere suitable in or outside the government.

Working eight hours and leaving every day on time, regardless of fires.

Barely checking my phone in the evenings and on weekends.

Using my sick leave strategically for frequent mental health days in case I resign, so I don't leave any on the table

Would you be open to sharing what you mean by "frequent" if you don't mind? I took two sick days last pay period so don't feel comfortable taking any more this pay period (even though I have a ridiculous number of hours of sick leave banked and my manager has not inquired about previous sick leave requests). I just want to make sure I'm in line with other folks.

if it helps, I take about 4-8 sick hours per week for doctor's appointments (my own or my kids'). I rarely take full days unless I have scheduled two doctors' appointments on the same day.

[Anonymous]

^^also I am DP, not the original poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Playing a game of musical chairs by going on TDY assignments and mostly coasting during those assignments until I find somewhere suitable in or outside the government.

Working eight hours and leaving every day on time, regardless of fires.

Barely checking my phone in the evenings and on weekends.

Using my sick leave strategically for frequent mental health days in case I resign, so I don't leave any on the table

Would you be open to sharing what you mean by "frequent" if you don't mind? I took two sick days last pay period so don't feel comfortable taking any more this pay period (even though I have a ridiculous number of hours of sick leave banked and my manager has not inquired about previous sick leave requests). I just want to make sure I'm in line with other folks.

if it helps, I take about 4-8 sick hours per week for doctor's appointments (my own or my kids'). I rarely take full days unless I have scheduled two doctors' appointments on the same day.

Yes, this helps. I just want to make sure I am not flagged some how. And this is perfectly legitimate sick leave that I have banked over the years, but still scared to use because . . .

[Anonymous]

I followed the opm memo and requested a religious accommodation to telework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I followed the opm memo and requested a religious accommodation to telework.

Did your agency put out any guidance? We had office hours and no mention of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I followed the opm memo and requested a religious accommodation to telework.

and just specific religious days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I followed the opm memo and requested a religious accommodation to telework.

and just specific religious days?

We didn’t get further guidance. I basically said I wanted a quiet place to engage in prayer instead of commuting…. We will see…

[Anonymous]

My agency allows telework and/or sick leave for doctors appointments, so I have made sure I am up to date at just about every specialist I see at strategic intervals.

[Anonymous]

following this thread because RTO has been miserable for me. I have also exhausted a lot of leave time (both sick and annual leave). I would love to plan a vacation but fear I won't have any leave time left!

I've been on anti-depressants for years but they aren't helping me get over the anger and stress.

I'm reading more books.

All my exercise went out the window after RTO...I can't find the time anymore as a mom of two. If I could just find a way to work out while I'm at work -- my prior govt office had a gym until the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Reading. I’ve been doing a ton of reading once the kids are in bed. Can’t keep up with my chores but at least I’m happier. Booktok is definitely a great way to disassociate

[Anonymous]

I try to just focus on the work - I still really believe in the work - and tune out the madness around me as much as I can. Unfortunately, more madness is coming next month.

I am also working so hard to leave work at work and focus on my family and myself when I’m at home. I’m lucky to be involved with a nonprofit where I’ve developed a close and supportive group of friends (some of whom are also Feds, so we do our best to support each other). My church also has a support group for current/former Feds.

It’s hard, though. We have a family vacation coming up in a couple of weeks, and I am barely hanging on until then.

[Anonymous]

Meditating before bed.
Walking before work (same as other pp, can't sleep anyway) or during lunch.

I've limited news exposure and have limits on my smartphone so I don't over consume news or social media.

Because I do have saved sick leave, every time I have a health appointment I just take off the entire day. No work is done that day.

I no longer work long hours of unpaid overtime that I did while working from home, or any overtime. If it doesn't get done now, it doesn't get done until I can finish during working hours.

[Anonymous]

I have been bringing in my laptop and starting to work on photo albums during my lunch hour. I am only working 40 hours a week. I worked a little extra time earlier this week and so left an hour early to get a pedicure.

I love to vacation plan but don't feel comfortable spending money so that is making me sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I followed the opm memo and requested a religious accommodation to telework.

and just specific religious days?

We didn’t get further guidance. I basically said I wanted a quiet place to engage in prayer instead of commuting…. We will see…

The way I read it, it looks like you telework everyday if it made your religious practice easier?

[Anonymous]

I’m concentrating on a shut down in Oct. After that, I don’t know.