Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)

[Anonymous]

We would need space for about 1400 people if everyone has to come back. 425 I would be too small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We would need space for about 1400 people if everyone has to come back. 425 I would be too small.

Nah, I like cozy workspaces and the warmth from having my colleagues shoulder to shoulder with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So they order folks to 425 I St. That's more than 50 miles from most BVA attorneys and VLJs, so the government has to pay to relocate them. Does BVA have the money for those relocations, let alone the money to update and re-outfit 425? There's a lot more to be worked out here. In short, no one knows exactly what the (seemingly increasingly distant) future holds. BVA is in a unique position due to its both its distributed nature and the sheer number of folks who perform services directly related to statutory duties.

BVA is mostly attorneys and judges, and folks that support attorneys and judges. It's not doing things like establishing random policies and interpreting environmental laws in an ever broadening manner. In short, there's not a ton of fat to trim or non-essential personnel.

We can't control what happens. No sense in worrying about it.

I'm not worried, per se. I'm more just being realistic here. To the Trump-Musk-Vought triumvirate we are all fat and we are all non-essential. We have to rely on protection from someone in between us and those three. I'm not seeing anyone who might offer that protection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So they order folks to 425 I St. That's more than 50 miles from most BVA attorneys and VLJs, so the government has to pay to relocate them. Does BVA have the money for those relocations, let alone the money to update and re-outfit 425? There's a lot more to be worked out here. In short, no one knows exactly what the (seemingly increasingly distant) future holds. BVA is in a unique position due to its both its distributed nature and the sheer number of folks who perform services directly related to statutory duties.

BVA is mostly attorneys and judges, and folks that support attorneys and judges. It's not doing things like establishing random policies and interpreting environmental laws in an ever broadening manner. In short, there's not a ton of fat to trim or non-essential personnel.

We can't control what happens. No sense in worrying about it.

I'm not worried, per se. I'm more just being realistic here. To the Trump-Musk-Vought triumvirate we are all fat and we are all non-essential. We have to rely on protection from someone in between us and those three. I'm not seeing anyone who might offer that protection.

The most recent VA memo which ordered us back to the office indicated that our remote work agreements cannot be terminated until we have workspaces assigned to us. That's the most recent update that we have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So they order folks to 425 I St. That's more than 50 miles from most BVA attorneys and VLJs, so the government has to pay to relocate them. Does BVA have the money for those relocations, let alone the money to update and re-outfit 425? There's a lot more to be worked out here. In short, no one knows exactly what the (seemingly increasingly distant) future holds. BVA is in a unique position due to its both its distributed nature and the sheer number of folks who perform services directly related to statutory duties.

BVA is mostly attorneys and judges, and folks that support attorneys and judges. It's not doing things like establishing random policies and interpreting environmental laws in an ever broadening manner. In short, there's not a ton of fat to trim or non-essential personnel.

We can't control what happens. No sense in worrying about it.

I'm not worried, per se. I'm more just being realistic here. To the Trump-Musk-Vought triumvirate we are all fat and we are all non-essential. We have to rely on protection from someone in between us and those three. I'm not seeing anyone who might offer that protection.

The most recent VA memo which ordered us back to the office indicated that our remote work agreements cannot be terminated until we have workspaces assigned to us. That's the most recent update that we have.

Yes, that's true. I probably should lighten up a bit. I ended up on the main VA SharePoint today somehow and looked at an all employee townhall held by the Providence HCS. It has a section that says telework exceptions are being requested for "Some employees, including those in call centers and clinical resource hubs" and that the exemption process will be finalized over the next 2 months. Maybe BVA staff will be in the same boat since we are not public facing. I just wish we had some sort of assurance from local leadership.

[Anonymous]

Are others going to be forced in to fill these buildings?

https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/1895168415922266292

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are others going to be forced in to fill these buildings?

https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/1895168415922266292

This would be the case to get rid of the buildings and leases (or consolidate) and keep remote work. People who remote work don't require overhead and live in lower living-cost areas.

[Anonymous]

And another 5 things email. I wonder what non-guidance we'll receive this time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And another 5 things email. I wonder what non-guidance we'll receive this time.

any other emails come out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are others going to be forced in to fill these buildings?

https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/1895168415922266292

Where is 428 I Street? If they can't get the address right I don't trust anything about this data.

[Anonymous]

And there's no way VA currently leases 175,000 feet there. We are down to only two floors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are others going to be forced in to fill these buildings?

https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/1895168415922266292

Where is 428 I Street? If they can't get the address right I don't trust anything about this data.

most of the addresses are wrong. pathetic.

[Anonymous]

This is the slightest glimmer of hope I saw today. SSA received memo today for RTO for non-bargaining employees which begins on 3/5 (crazy for 2-days notice) but anyway, the memo stated that office of hearing operations (OHO) could remain remote. OHO includes their judges and decision writing attorneys. So even though the attorneys at SSA in OHO are bargaining until, the judges aren’t. So there is at least some evidence of agencies keeping a people remote for a division that is similar to BVA!

[Anonymous]

In person work is essential for work place camaraderie. Secretary Collins, if you or your staff are reading this, please implement full time RTO asap. Yes, there will be challenges to returning to the office full time. However, we owe it to the Veterans whom we serve and our colleagues. ICARE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the slightest glimmer of hope I saw today. SSA received memo today for RTO for non-bargaining employees which begins on 3/5 (crazy for 2-days notice) but anyway, the memo stated that office of hearing operations (OHO) could remain remote. OHO includes their judges and decision writing attorneys. So even though the attorneys at SSA in OHO are bargaining until, the judges aren’t. So there is at least some evidence of agencies keeping a people remote for a division that is similar to BVA!

I’m at SSA (and following what is happening at the VA). I’m not sure if it’s a huge glimmer of hope because we’re in the midst of a giant reorg. I feel like this is just a pause until they come up with the next terrible thing to push us out until everyone can fit into a building. But I’m fairly cynical at this point.