Do you think DOGE will eliminate remote policy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elon Musk cannot single handedly do anything, and certainly not increase workdays by two hours, nor fire people who refuse to RTO, or eliminate entire federal agencies whose unions will fight this in court.

Can Trump sign an executive order limiting telework/remote work? Yes, but even that will have to be implemented within certain parameters, will be fought in court etc. no one is going to the office full time for ten hours on Jan 21. Get a grip.

Hopefully by the end of the term this will be a reality though.

Why would you be hopeful about this?

Because they hate feds.

I'm a lawyer, they don't pay me enough to work those hours, I would just quit and go to a firm for those hours.

But here's the deal: you don't want people like me to quit. Those of us who have options are also the people who get stuff done efficiently.

THIS. That last sentence is so true.

If you are a fed lawyer who only works 40 hours a week, your options in private practice likely aren't as plentiful as you think they are.

It's amazing how every single government lawyer is convinced that they can leave the government and find a higher paying job in the private sector - they are very much in demand, you see and only in the government because of the mission/benefits/family friendly schedule/hours/WTH/etc. And sure, some of you will be rock stars. But more of you will crash and burn, if you can get a job at all.

I’ve done both. My federal work is actually harder/ more demanding from a mental standpoint. And definitely more rewarding. But no doubt private practice is more stressful with longer hours. If they go in accepting and understanding that, then most fed lawyers should be fine. I never want that schedule or stress again, so I’m gritting my teeth through another Trump term. But, I’m lucky that I’m not the primary earner in our family. I carry benefits and the pension will be great in retirement. Most of my salary goes into my 401k, 529s and various savings accounts.

Life is about tradeoffs. I’m clear eyed about the ones I’ve made with my career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those of you saying your depth has reduced office space—-what does this mean? Has the building been sold to a developer and your area is now a condo?

SSA is Baltimore based. DC based was in two leased buildings. The leases had already run and gone to year long extensions pre-COVID, but we can’t get and keep an actual Commissioner, so no decisions were made (we were along in CBA negations to go from 60 to 80% telework). Then COVID and we all went 100% telework. They let both leases go in 2021-2022. There is now a small presence in downtown DC. Very small. NBU goes in 1-2 times a week. There is no room for more. Not hundreds of employees once a week, lets alone daily. Most federal space is leased, not owned by GSA. Since our space is no longer leased, it has to go through procurement. They had been in procurement to move from the space we had for THREE YEARS when COVID hit ,while doing one year extensions try to find appropriate space.

Federal leasing on the scale that gets people who were always 60% telework back in 100% takes forever and has to follow a federal procurement policy and look at things like proximity to where workers live and public transport. That’s the law. It’s a wee bit harder than— hey— there is an empty building go there.

And here is who everyone but true destroyer the government does not want to quit— people who understand and can implement SSA Regs. Which are COMPLICATED. You and your 40:credits? Maybe not. But for every normal situation, there is a MQGE + green card holder became citizen who was employed for a while by a small business that went into bankruptcy and didn’t comply with FICA. Because mostly I untangle and write justifications for very complicated, odd income stream, weird retirement situations and get people their benefits.

To do this technical, specialized legal stuff. When I start, 4-5 hours can pass, and I haven’t moved or noticed the time (which I need to stop doing, because it’s killing my body as I get older). I always thought 1 day in office a PP would be perfect for face to face meetings and training. The rest of the time? I’m ADHD. I was never able to do my technical writing in the office. It’s too complex and has too many distractions. So I did 90% of my work in the 60% telework part of my week. Now, I do significantly more in 5 days at home. I also work longer hours, because stopping something complex before it’s done is annoying. And I have extra time because no commute. I it in for credit. But I usually end up going over the 24 hours I can bank pretty fast, and taxpayers get free work.

I have zero public contact. And I have a meeting with my PL every other week and my manager once a month, plus a branch meeting once a month. Those would be nice in person. Training should be in person some. Training via Teams makes me want to poke my eye out. Everything else? Going in just slows me down.

OK, I know everyone thinks they are special and important, but the PP apparently believes that interpreting SSA regulations is so complicated (sorry, COMPLICATED) and difficult that only a very few people can do it, and if she leaves federal employment that skill will be lost forever. Dozens, maybe even scores of people each year will not get their benefits! Come on. They'll just hire some (other) moderately intelligent TTT law school graduate, train him or her for 3 weeks, and the benefits office will keep on chugging along. And that's if PP can even find another job, with her highly specialized skill set which has virtually no applilcation (and especially no lucrative application) in the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elon Musk cannot single handedly do anything, and certainly not increase workdays by two hours, nor fire people who refuse to RTO, or eliminate entire federal agencies whose unions will fight this in court.

Can Trump sign an executive order limiting telework/remote work? Yes, but even that will have to be implemented within certain parameters, will be fought in court etc. no one is going to the office full time for ten hours on Jan 21. Get a grip.

Hopefully by the end of the term this will be a reality though.

Why would you be hopeful about this?

Because they hate feds.

I'm a lawyer, they don't pay me enough to work those hours, I would just quit and go to a firm for those hours.

But here's the deal: you don't want people like me to quit. Those of us who have options are also the people who get stuff done efficiently.

THIS. That last sentence is so true.

If you are a fed lawyer who only works 40 hours a week, your options in private practice likely aren't as plentiful as you think they are.

It's amazing how every single government lawyer is convinced that they can leave the government and find a higher paying job in the private sector - they are very much in demand, you see and only in the government because of the mission/benefits/family friendly schedule/hours/WTH/etc. And sure, some of you will be rock stars. But more of you will crash and burn, if you can get a job at all.

You didn't follow that at all, did you, Sparky. The issue was a 50-hour week. The fed lawyer was saying that if they were forced to work 50 hours a week, they'd just go to private practice and make private practice money.

The last two lawyers that left my office made -- and I'm not kidding -- 5x what they made as feds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elon Musk cannot single handedly do anything, and certainly not increase workdays by two hours, nor fire people who refuse to RTO, or eliminate entire federal agencies whose unions will fight this in court.

Can Trump sign an executive order limiting telework/remote work? Yes, but even that will have to be implemented within certain parameters, will be fought in court etc. no one is going to the office full time for ten hours on Jan 21. Get a grip.

Hopefully by the end of the term this will be a reality though.

Why would you be hopeful about this?

Because they hate feds.

I'm a lawyer, they don't pay me enough to work those hours, I would just quit and go to a firm for those hours.

But here's the deal: you don't want people like me to quit. Those of us who have options are also the people who get stuff done efficiently.

THIS. That last sentence is so true.

If you are a fed lawyer who only works 40 hours a week, your options in private practice likely aren't as plentiful as you think they are.

It's amazing how every single government lawyer is convinced that they can leave the government and find a higher paying job in the private sector - they are very much in demand, you see and only in the government because of the mission/benefits/family friendly schedule/hours/WTH/etc. And sure, some of you will be rock stars. But more of you will crash and burn, if you can get a job at all.

You didn't follow that at all, did you, Sparky. The issue was a 50-hour week. The fed lawyer was saying that if they were forced to work 50 hours a week, they'd just go to private practice and make private practice money.

The last two lawyers that left my office made -- and I'm not kidding -- 5x what they made as feds.

We also get headhunted regularly. You may not think feds are worth hiring into firms, but the firms clearly do given how much they email us.

[Anonymous]

Dear god I hope they fire all of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear god I hope they fire all of you.

that will have an affect on the overall economy so sure let's do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear god I hope they fire all of you.

that will have an affect on the overall economy so sure let's do that.

Like, sure, let's fire all the patent examiners. Boy, business won't like that and it'll cause companies to shift their IP work out of the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elon Musk cannot single handedly do anything, and certainly not increase workdays by two hours, nor fire people who refuse to RTO, or eliminate entire federal agencies whose unions will fight this in court.

Can Trump sign an executive order limiting telework/remote work? Yes, but even that will have to be implemented within certain parameters, will be fought in court etc. no one is going to the office full time for ten hours on Jan 21. Get a grip.

Hopefully by the end of the term this will be a reality though.

Why would you be hopeful about this?

Because they hate feds.

I'm a lawyer, they don't pay me enough to work those hours, I would just quit and go to a firm for those hours.

But here's the deal: you don't want people like me to quit. Those of us who have options are also the people who get stuff done efficiently.

THIS. That last sentence is so true.

If you are a fed lawyer who only works 40 hours a week, your options in private practice likely aren't as plentiful as you think they are.

It's amazing how every single government lawyer is convinced that they can leave the government and find a higher paying job in the private sector - they are very much in demand, you see and only in the government because of the mission/benefits/family friendly schedule/hours/WTH/etc. And sure, some of you will be rock stars. But more of you will crash and burn, if you can get a job at all.

You didn't follow that at all, did you, Sparky. The issue was a 50-hour week. The fed lawyer was saying that if they were forced to work 50 hours a week, they'd just go to private practice and make private practice money.

The last two lawyers that left my office made -- and I'm not kidding -- 5x what they made as feds.

I followed it fine. Every fed lawyer I know who is competent works far more than 40 hours/week. Those who punch the clock? Not worth much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elon Musk cannot single handedly do anything, and certainly not increase workdays by two hours, nor fire people who refuse to RTO, or eliminate entire federal agencies whose unions will fight this in court.

Can Trump sign an executive order limiting telework/remote work? Yes, but even that will have to be implemented within certain parameters, will be fought in court etc. no one is going to the office full time for ten hours on Jan 21. Get a grip.

Hopefully by the end of the term this will be a reality though.

Why would you be hopeful about this?

Because they hate feds.

I'm a lawyer, they don't pay me enough to work those hours, I would just quit and go to a firm for those hours.

But here's the deal: you don't want people like me to quit. Those of us who have options are also the people who get stuff done efficiently.

THIS. That last sentence is so true.

If you are a fed lawyer who only works 40 hours a week, your options in private practice likely aren't as plentiful as you think they are.

It's amazing how every single government lawyer is convinced that they can leave the government and find a higher paying job in the private sector - they are very much in demand, you see and only in the government because of the mission/benefits/family friendly schedule/hours/WTH/etc. And sure, some of you will be rock stars. But more of you will crash and burn, if you can get a job at all.

You didn't follow that at all, did you, Sparky. The issue was a 50-hour week. The fed lawyer was saying that if they were forced to work 50 hours a week, they'd just go to private practice and make private practice money.

The last two lawyers that left my office made -- and I'm not kidding -- 5x what they made as feds.

I followed it fine. Every fed lawyer I know who is competent works far more than 40 hours/week. Those who punch the clock? Not worth much.

PP is saying if they have to work more than 40 hours - they will go to private practice and work more hours for more money. How is that not clear?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear god I hope they fire all of you.

Cry harder.

[Anonymous]

DH is one of those fed lawyers who currently works way more than 40 hours a week. I have a corporate job.

Because he is always working, I have had the opportunity to observe his work. There is no way he would hack it in the private sector. He is simply too inefficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is one of those fed lawyers who currently works way more than 40 hours a week. I have a corporate job.

Because he is always working, I have had the opportunity to observe his work. There is no way he would hack it in the private sector. He is simply too inefficient.

What a believable anecdote!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH is one of those fed lawyers who currently works way more than 40 hours a week. I have a corporate job.

Because he is always working, I have had the opportunity to observe his work. There is no way he would hack it in the private sector. He is simply too inefficient.

What a believable anecdote!

[Anonymous]

Where did Musk say everyone has to work 10 hours a day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elon Musk cannot single handedly do anything, and certainly not increase workdays by two hours, nor fire people who refuse to RTO, or eliminate entire federal agencies whose unions will fight this in court.

Can Trump sign an executive order limiting telework/remote work? Yes, but even that will have to be implemented within certain parameters, will be fought in court etc. no one is going to the office full time for ten hours on Jan 21. Get a grip.

Hopefully by the end of the term this will be a reality though.

Why would you be hopeful about this?

Because they hate feds.

I'm a lawyer, they don't pay me enough to work those hours, I would just quit and go to a firm for those hours.

But here's the deal: you don't want people like me to quit. Those of us who have options are also the people who get stuff done efficiently.

THIS. That last sentence is so true.

If you are a fed lawyer who only works 40 hours a week, your options in private practice likely aren't as plentiful as you think they are.

It's amazing how every single government lawyer is convinced that they can leave the government and find a higher paying job in the private sector - they are very much in demand, you see and only in the government because of the mission/benefits/family friendly schedule/hours/WTH/etc. And sure, some of you will be rock stars. But more of you will crash and burn, if you can get a job at all.

You didn't follow that at all, did you, Sparky. The issue was a 50-hour week. The fed lawyer was saying that if they were forced to work 50 hours a week, they'd just go to private practice and make private practice money.

The last two lawyers that left my office made -- and I'm not kidding -- 5x what they made as feds.

I followed it fine. Every fed lawyer I know who is competent works far more than 40 hours/week. Those who punch the clock? Not worth much.

There’s a difference between the unreported overtime that everyone does and a formal policy that everyone work from the office 50 hrs a week.