Surprise email from Supervisor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HI OP - I was once a supervisor in a federal agency. I'm so sorry for the email. I'm reading something concerning in the email. In addition to the telework day chain he or she mentions 8 hours a day. That I read means that someone knows you aren't at your desk for that minimum. That plus trying to change a fixed telework day is alarming. They may be starting a paper trail. Do you have any review coming up

Yes I have 90 day evaluation coming up.

I would start looking for a new job. They are creating the necessary paper trail for releasing you.

this

[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.

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.

That’s what it sounded like to me. I think OP is communicating just fine. I don’t get why so many of you are having terrible understanding a simple issue.

People are trolling OP. They're scaring the shit out of her and making her feel like a terrible employee just so they can pat themselves on the back.

Let me guess what generation you are from. Bosses don’t like to be given an “fyi” that an employee is switching agreed upon teleworking dates. In a probationary period, no less. They like it even less, when the employee explains they can’t possibly make it to work on agreed upon day because of…parking. As I type this out, I call troll on this. Especially, since they threw in the not at the desk 8 hours a day to make it even crazier.

This.

[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.

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?

What judgment? Offering an alternative to the narrative that is being constructed by people here with very little information. OP asked to switch their days because of an issue and the supervisor did not respond. That’s poor form. Then OP’s supervisor went straight to upper management without talking to the employee. Also seems like poor form to me.

I know enough to say that.

You don't know that at all.

That is what OP said happened. Supervisor did not speak with her or respond to her email before copying upper management. Wild.

why should they? She asked for a shift on teleworking days within weeks of starting; she didn't show on days when there were parking problems; she wasn't meetin ghte 8 hour minimum; she wasn't at her desk. What are you missing here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HI OP - I was once a supervisor in a federal agency. I'm so sorry for the email. I'm reading something concerning in the email. In addition to the telework day chain he or she mentions 8 hours a day. That I read means that someone knows you aren't at your desk for that minimum. That plus trying to change a fixed telework day is alarming. They may be starting a paper trail. Do you have any review coming up

Yes I have 90 day evaluation coming up.

I would start looking for a new job. They are creating the necessary paper trail for releasing you.

But why? As a taxpayer, I have to say, I would not be very happy to learn that after likely spending thousands of dollars and who knows how many work hours recruiting, hiring, and onboarding OP - they are going to fire her, and start all over again, about something this ridiculous and trivial. What a country.

A-men

“Supervisors” vs managers in a nutshell.

'

you don't know any of that.

As a taxpayer I don't want to be paying for an employee who is MIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

easy solution—ask the employee where they were before escalating. Seems over the top to do that to a new employee who is getting used to a new environment, based on the information we have here.

The employee should talk to their supervisor and clarify expectations regarding presence at their desk vs. working elsewhere in the building because of noise. They should also confirm which days they will be in the office per their telework agreement and stick to those days as requested by their supervisor. Hopefully that is all that’s going on here but I doubt it.

I'm pretty sure they already know . . . in a "quiet place", like home

OP said she was not at home, that she was in the building. What is your problem?

[Anonymous]

I think OP’s boss might be here. Wow.

[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.

Those are good worker bee qualities. Where I live, "high achievers" are more often innovative and in positions of true leadership, where they can make real decisions and enact changes. The rigid, rule following mindset is more for the undereducated or extremely religious (I'm in the south, so often it may be both). But I have no doubt that there are many people in DC making way more money than I am and being richly rewarded for their laser-focused intellect. I don't like how people are being jerks to OP, but I do see the value in general of (some) smart people following directions.

[Anonymous]

Np. My employee notified me that she was switching her telework day by email at 6 this am. Party too much? I took a deep breath and said okay, thanks, but will address her when I see her in person tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np. My employee notified me that she was switching her telework day by email at 6 this am. Party too much? I took a deep breath and said okay, thanks, but will address her when I see her in person tomorrow.

JUST SAY NO!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

easy solution—ask the employee where they were before escalating. Seems over the top to do that to a new employee who is getting used to a new environment, based on the information we have here.

The employee should talk to their supervisor and clarify expectations regarding presence at their desk vs. working elsewhere in the building because of noise. They should also confirm which days they will be in the office per their telework agreement and stick to those days as requested by their supervisor. Hopefully that is all that’s going on here but I doubt it.

I'm pretty sure they already know . . . in a "quiet place", like home

this seems likely, and happened repeatedly. the switched day was not a one off it was for weeks. she just did it even without approval then likely went home on other in person days. so, paper trail to cut her loose. keeping track of op and why she is not where she is supposed to be when she is supposed to be there should not be a full time job. op has gotten off on a really bad foot and with telework in the mix they don't trust here is what the situation seems to be.

[Anonymous]

trust HER

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Np. My employee notified me that she was switching her telework day by email at 6 this am. Party too much? I took a deep breath and said okay, thanks, but will address her when I see her in person tomorrow.

JUST SAY NO!

Hmm, I get the OP’s issue because they’re new. But I have professional staff. I honestly don’t care when they telework if they’re getting their work done. Is the requirement to be in on certain days or to be in a certain number of days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Those are good worker bee qualities. Where I live, "high achievers" are more often innovative and in positions of true leadership, where they can make real decisions and enact changes. The rigid, rule following mindset is more for the undereducated or extremely religious (I'm in the south, so often it may be both). But I have no doubt that there are many people in DC making way more money than I am and being richly rewarded for their laser-focused intellect. I don't like how people are being jerks to OP, but I do see the value in general of (some) smart people following directions.

What is a "fast fail" and "move fast and break things" kind of place? Silicon Valley?

[Anonymous]

Someone is super shouty about this. Dang.

We do not really know what’s going on here, sounds like OP’s boss does not want her employed anymore though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np. My employee notified me that she was switching her telework day by email at 6 this am. Party too much? I took a deep breath and said okay, thanks, but will address her when I see her in person tomorrow.

You're not a good manager. If the employee provides good quality work, then why do you care where they do it from? If the employee doesn't provide good quality work, then why aren't you addressing the work quality issue? And why the judgment of "party too much"? That has nothing to do with work quality or work location.

This isn't how you cultivate high quality employees. This is how you get people to jump ship at the first chance they get.