Saw the Trump comment re: telework and dismissal, any words of sane advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - have a few years and moved due to husbands job and my agency transitioned my role to remote because of my portfolio. I am far, far away and I truly miss DC but we cannot afford it and kids are in elementary school.

I find so much meaning in my work and I’d be willing to even go in satellite offices but I don’t know if that is enough. It just makes me sad that the address of my work will drive if I keep my job. I wonder if I’m being too positive and hopeful and should be jumping ship instead.

I get what you are saying and if you were truly remote before covid I would think you’d be fine. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees with any job, be it public or private. Lot’s of people in the private sector are sad when they get laid off too. It sucks. Hope you find a work around.

DP, but I’m tired of people making comparisons to what happens in the private sector. Feds accepted their jobs based on the protections and benefits of the public sector including giving up careers making more money. I’m 15 years in and teleworked for a decade prior to COVID. I chose this over making more money because I wanted work/life balance as a mom.

My DH is private sector so I’m aware of what can happen in the private sector. But he makes more money than me including employee stock and bonuses.

I and many Feds are having the rug pulled out from under us by a president who doesn’t give a crap about this country. He’s doing it to create a civil service full of loyalists and so he can destroy programs he doesn’t like without going through Congress. So no, this is a absolutely nothing like anything that has happened in the private sector.

You are guaranteed nothing. Spare me your post about hating Trump. Federal employment is not a social service. I personally love that performance can be tied to compensation. Get rid of the dead weight.

Nothing about what Trump is doing has anything to do with improving performance. If you think that is what this is about then I have a bridge to sell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - have a few years and moved due to husbands job and my agency transitioned my role to remote because of my portfolio. I am far, far away and I truly miss DC but we cannot afford it and kids are in elementary school.

I find so much meaning in my work and I’d be willing to even go in satellite offices but I don’t know if that is enough. It just makes me sad that the address of my work will drive if I keep my job. I wonder if I’m being too positive and hopeful and should be jumping ship instead.

I get what you are saying and if you were truly remote before covid I would think you’d be fine. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees with any job, be it public or private. Lot’s of people in the private sector are sad when they get laid off too. It sucks. Hope you find a work around.

DP, but I’m tired of people making comparisons to what happens in the private sector. Feds accepted their jobs based on the protections and benefits of the public sector including giving up careers making more money. I’m 15 years in and teleworked for a decade prior to COVID. I chose this over making more money because I wanted work/life balance as a mom.

My DH is private sector so I’m aware of what can happen in the private sector. But he makes more money than me including employee stock and bonuses.

I and many Feds are having the rug pulled out from under us by a president who doesn’t give a crap about this country. He’s doing it to create a civil service full of loyalists and so he can destroy programs he doesn’t like without going through Congress. So no, this is a absolutely nothing like anything that has happened in the private sector.

You are guaranteed nothing. Spare me your post about hating Trump. Federal employment is not a social service. I personally love that performance can be tied to compensation. Get rid of the dead weight.

Nothing about what Trump is doing has anything to do with improving performance. If you think that is what this is about then I have a bridge to sell you.

I was present for a budget presentation where they were trying to get telework eligible employees still in the office to go home because it would save them a significant amount of money. And this was pre COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly people, OP was remote before covid, what are you talking about "go to work?"

I don't know, I was hired remote and I'm also worried. I certainly can't afford a house in or near DC. Our best hope is that 1) they'll go after management-directed remote work last, and 2) they'll station us in close by offices instead of requiring us to move.

Yeah, look at the previous posts. I don’t think this is what is being targeted. It is the people who were full time in office prior to covid who have been home for most of the past 4 years. While I am sure many get their work done, I get that it is a perception problem (and bo doubt some do abuse it) for positions of public trust. I have no problem whatsoever ordering people back to work.

It’s not “back to work”, we all work, and personally, I work more at home, it’s back to the office.

Please. Spare me the sensitivities. Get your fat a$$ back to the office. Feel better? Or your fired.

No, sorry you’re a lazy fat a$$ who can’t get work done without being in the office. You may be a pathetic excuse for a human being who can’t trust yourself to lift a finger without a boss staring at you the whole time, but some of us are functional adults who’ve excelled at our remote jobs for years. And our bosses know this and trust us because of it.

[Anonymous]

I’d wait this out and not make any immediate decisions unless you find a remote job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly people, OP was remote before covid, what are you talking about "go to work?"

I don't know, I was hired remote and I'm also worried. I certainly can't afford a house in or near DC. Our best hope is that 1) they'll go after management-directed remote work last, and 2) they'll station us in close by offices instead of requiring us to move.

Yeah, look at the previous posts. I don’t think this is what is being targeted. It is the people who were full time in office prior to covid who have been home for most of the past 4 years. While I am sure many get their work done, I get that it is a perception problem (and bo doubt some do abuse it) for positions of public trust. I have no problem whatsoever ordering people back to work.

It’s not “back to work”, we all work, and personally, I work more at home, it’s back to the office.

Please. Spare me the sensitivities. Get your fat a$$ back to the office. Feel better? Or your fired.

This is the exact type of classy and insightful comment I would expect from a Trump sycophant.

[Anonymous]

Why not start looking? You don’t have to accept a job if offered. See what’s out there!

[Anonymous]

You all need to chill. The poster who pointed out that he promised to do a lot of things the last time that he didn’t do is correct. He likes to claim he accomplished things and never really cares if they’re done. He’s not exactly good with logistics. I do think the people most at risk of having to come into the office more - which will be a push by your agency - will be those who already are able to come in a few days a pay period. This will make their numbers look better and the boss can declare victory.

I’m someone in office 100% due to the nature of my job and trust me, I do not want you back on the roads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - have a few years and moved due to husbands job and my agency transitioned my role to remote because of my portfolio. I am far, far away and I truly miss DC but we cannot afford it and kids are in elementary school.

I find so much meaning in my work and I’d be willing to even go in satellite offices but I don’t know if that is enough. It just makes me sad that the address of my work will drive if I keep my job. I wonder if I’m being too positive and hopeful and should be jumping ship instead.

I get what you are saying and if you were truly remote before covid I would think you’d be fine. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees with any job, be it public or private. Lot’s of people in the private sector are sad when they get laid off too. It sucks. Hope you find a work around.

DP, but I’m tired of people making comparisons to what happens in the private sector. Feds accepted their jobs based on the protections and benefits of the public sector including giving up careers making more money. I’m 15 years in and teleworked for a decade prior to COVID. I chose this over making more money because I wanted work/life balance as a mom.

My DH is private sector so I’m aware of what can happen in the private sector. But he makes more money than me including employee stock and bonuses.

I and many Feds are having the rug pulled out from under us by a president who doesn’t give a crap about this country. He’s doing it to create a civil service full of loyalists and so he can destroy programs he doesn’t like without going through Congress. So no, this is a absolutely nothing like anything that has happened in the private sector.

This is what bugs me. So, what does your work/life balance mean for the taxpayers that fund your salary, excellent benefits and pension? There is also no guarantee you'd be making tons of money/get an excellent role in the private sector.

There are tremendous benefits in government jobs all of which are funded by taxpayers. Going to pick up Joey from school at 3PM and then signing on at 4:30PM to send one email and call it a day is not work/life balance. There are plenty of jobs that give flexibility if you need to leave occasionally, but it is when people use it frequently that it can be a problem.

Don't you think Elon Musk will have IT check to see when everyone has been working? People seem concerned about badge swipes. They can access information/usage from any equipment they own. My spouse was in a meeting (not gov) which showed all sorts of data about people not working/getting stuff done. He was concerned about a team member who said they were working and my spouse went on the system after it became a pattern and realized the person signed on and worked for maybe a couple hours and then used some kind of device (mouse mover or some such) to make it look like they were working. My spouse also realized pretty quickly this person was using AI to do work/emails. They would send an email here or there/hard to reach. When my spouse got this information, then IT was contacted and they got even more. Who knows maybe they even do these system checks, I don't know, but I would be more concerned about it happening in the coming months.

If you're worried and you are meant to be in the office and are close-by I would go in. And if you are remote then work your hours and make sure you're actually working in the system. Either way it will take time (I think) so just apply for roles you'd actually take and keep in touch with people in your network so that if you get laid off, you aren't just contacting people when you need something.

There was just a great article in Fortune though about productivity metrics and how useless the “butt in seat” metric is. If someone contributes more to the organization’s bottom line in 25 hours than Joe the Buttkisser does in 60, most kegs would rather have the guy that works 25. the people who are really in favor of butts in seats are the employees whose major contribution is showing up.

[Anonymous]

I've been fully remote since 2004. My agency just gave up several buildings of office space since the pandemic sent everyone home, not just those of us who preferred it. We have employees all over the lower 48 who never worked in the office. Our telework is also the subject of a separate union agreement. We are also not funded by an appropriation and we have legislation that allows us to keep all of our income. We aren't coming back to non-existent offices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - have a few years and moved due to husbands job and my agency transitioned my role to remote because of my portfolio. I am far, far away and I truly miss DC but we cannot afford it and kids are in elementary school.

I find so much meaning in my work and I’d be willing to even go in satellite offices but I don’t know if that is enough. It just makes me sad that the address of my work will drive if I keep my job. I wonder if I’m being too positive and hopeful and should be jumping ship instead.

I get what you are saying and if you were truly remote before covid I would think you’d be fine. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees with any job, be it public or private. Lot’s of people in the private sector are sad when they get laid off too. It sucks. Hope you find a work around.

DP, but I’m tired of people making comparisons to what happens in the private sector. Feds accepted their jobs based on the protections and benefits of the public sector including giving up careers making more money. I’m 15 years in and teleworked for a decade prior to COVID. I chose this over making more money because I wanted work/life balance as a mom.

My DH is private sector so I’m aware of what can happen in the private sector. But he makes more money than me including employee stock and bonuses.

I and many Feds are having the rug pulled out from under us by a president who doesn’t give a crap about this country. He’s doing it to create a civil service full of loyalists and so he can destroy programs he doesn’t like without going through Congress. So no, this is a absolutely nothing like anything that has happened in the private sector.

This is what bugs me. So, what does your work/life balance mean for the taxpayers that fund your salary, excellent benefits and pension? There is also no guarantee you'd be making tons of money/get an excellent role in the private sector.

There are tremendous benefits in government jobs all of which are funded by taxpayers. Going to pick up Joey from school at 3PM and then signing on at 4:30PM to send one email and call it a day is not work/life balance. There are plenty of jobs that give flexibility if you need to leave occasionally, but it is when people use it frequently that it can be a problem.

Don't you think Elon Musk will have IT check to see when everyone has been working? People seem concerned about badge swipes. They can access information/usage from any equipment they own. My spouse was in a meeting (not gov) which showed all sorts of data about people not working/getting stuff done. He was concerned about a team member who said they were working and my spouse went on the system after it became a pattern and realized the person signed on and worked for maybe a couple hours and then used some kind of device (mouse mover or some such) to make it look like they were working. My spouse also realized pretty quickly this person was using AI to do work/emails. They would send an email here or there/hard to reach. When my spouse got this information, then IT was contacted and they got even more. Who knows maybe they even do these system checks, I don't know, but I would be more concerned about it happening in the coming months.

If you're worried and you are meant to be in the office and are close-by I would go in. And if you are remote then work your hours and make sure you're actually working in the system. Either way it will take time (I think) so just apply for roles you'd actually take and keep in touch with people in your network so that if you get laid off, you aren't just contacting people when you need something.

The real issue is that because of technology, most office jobs don’t require a 40 hour work week.

It made sense when the only way to communicate with someone was to physically be in an office and wait for them to come speak to you, or call you on a landline. You needed to be there 40 hours to be available 40 hours.

Now you don’t need to be physically present to be available. The example of the mom picking up the child is the perfect example of this. She is able to perform her job AND pick up her child. Technology enables this.

Are you not able to understand how technology has changed the way we work? Did you also struggle to adopt using email?

[Anonymous]

My agency was 80% telework for years, including Trump 1.0. We didn't have the physical space (in a private building) and still don't have space (just moved this fall to another private building with a smaller footprint based on pre-pandemic plans of 80% telework). Assume there are occupancy laws that can't force us all into a space meant for 25% of us at any given time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My agency was 80% telework for years, including Trump 1.0. We didn't have the physical space (in a private building) and still don't have space (just moved this fall to another private building with a smaller footprint based on pre-pandemic plans of 80% telework). Assume there are occupancy laws that can't force us all into a space meant for 25% of us at any given time?

Forcing the government to spend more money for physical office space because of unnecessary return to office would be the most Trump/DOGE thing imaginable.

[Anonymous]

Op - trump sucks and requiring in office work is the refuge of boomers and professional trolls (ie trump, Elon, people on this site)
You are right and they are wrong.
But in short yes they can implement and yes you should immediately start looking. To be fair you should not have moved so far from your work. We are cramped into an apt in manhattan for this reason - until you work for yourself you can’t assume wfh is on the table

[Anonymous]

All you fed haters do realize that the govt gives us a transit subsidy. It will cost the taxpayer more in Metro fares to have us come in every day. So you would have to cut that...but then you would have to cut all of the subsidies. Don't think congress wants to start paying their own commuting costs. So quit with the wasting taxpayer money thing.

And I won't be able to get much work done while sitting in the hallway, because there is no space, and not connected to the internet because the Wi-Fi has crashed.

I don't know why the idea persists that all of us going back to the office will make the country run perfectly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - have a few years and moved due to husbands job and my agency transitioned my role to remote because of my portfolio. I am far, far away and I truly miss DC but we cannot afford it and kids are in elementary school.

I find so much meaning in my work and I’d be willing to even go in satellite offices but I don’t know if that is enough. It just makes me sad that the address of my work will drive if I keep my job. I wonder if I’m being too positive and hopeful and should be jumping ship instead.

I get what you are saying and if you were truly remote before covid I would think you’d be fine. But keep in mind that there are no guarantees with any job, be it public or private. Lot’s of people in the private sector are sad when they get laid off too. It sucks. Hope you find a work around.

DP, but I’m tired of people making comparisons to what happens in the private sector. Feds accepted their jobs based on the protections and benefits of the public sector including giving up careers making more money. I’m 15 years in and teleworked for a decade prior to COVID. I chose this over making more money because I wanted work/life balance as a mom.

My DH is private sector so I’m aware of what can happen in the private sector. But he makes more money than me including employee stock and bonuses.

I and many Feds are having the rug pulled out from under us by a president who doesn’t give a crap about this country. He’s doing it to create a civil service full of loyalists and so he can destroy programs he doesn’t like without going through Congress. So no, this is a absolutely nothing like anything that has happened in the private sector.

This is what bugs me. So, what does your work/life balance mean for the taxpayers that fund your salary, excellent benefits and pension? There is also no guarantee you'd be making tons of money/get an excellent role in the private sector.

There are tremendous benefits in government jobs all of which are funded by taxpayers. Going to pick up Joey from school at 3PM and then signing on at 4:30PM to send one email and call it a day is not work/life balance. There are plenty of jobs that give flexibility if you need to leave occasionally, but it is when people use it frequently that it can be a problem.

Don't you think Elon Musk will have IT check to see when everyone has been working? People seem concerned about badge swipes. They can access information/usage from any equipment they own. My spouse was in a meeting (not gov) which showed all sorts of data about people not working/getting stuff done. He was concerned about a team member who said they were working and my spouse went on the system after it became a pattern and realized the person signed on and worked for maybe a couple hours and then used some kind of device (mouse mover or some such) to make it look like they were working. My spouse also realized pretty quickly this person was using AI to do work/emails. They would send an email here or there/hard to reach. When my spouse got this information, then IT was contacted and they got even more. Who knows maybe they even do these system checks, I don't know, but I would be more concerned about it happening in the coming months.

If you're worried and you are meant to be in the office and are close-by I would go in. And if you are remote then work your hours and make sure you're actually working in the system. Either way it will take time (I think) so just apply for roles you'd actually take and keep in touch with people in your network so that if you get laid off, you aren't just contacting people when you need something.

Well a) this is not what happens. What actually happens is that I’m able to work 7-3:30 (while spouse shifts later hours). Without me needing to commute, we can have a parent home with our kids in the afternoon to them to activities and start dinner. This literally costs the taxpayers nothing especially since I’m in a very independent research and writing role, and b/c I have coworkers in different time zones I really only have mid day core meeting hours when we overlap.

b) I don’t have an office. I was teleworking most days before COVID. I did have an office about 15 min from my home but we moved out of the building and I don’t have an office to go back to. Are my coworkers and I supposed to return to a broom closet that OMB scrounges up?

c) I know I can get a higher paying job because I went to a tier 1 law school and have gotten offers. But I like the work/life balance. These benefits are how the government retains quality employees without paying private sector pay.

d) I would welcome software that tracks what I do, I already assume IT could look into what I am doing if they had reason to. I am always readily available (aside from taking my lunch break) and my work gets done.

And even if you don’t give a crap about me or any particular fed employee, you should wake up and realize what this administration is trying to do to our federal workforce. This is unprecedented. Literally everything is going to be run by billionaires who are trying to scare our civil workforce into compliance with threats. Look how well things have been going since Citizens United in 2010 … hint: the billionaires don’t care about us. This is all an attempt to weaken, control, and de-regulate our government to benefit corporations.

You likely have way more in common with the federal employees getting displaced than you do with the ruling class. Today it’s trying to get feds to quit but they’ll just as easily turn on you and any other private sector employee for the smallest perceived benefit.

PP should look into how SpaceX and Tesla employees are treated. They literally want all of us to “lesser people” to be indentured serfs. We won’t own land, and work all hours for pittance.