Feel depressed about the USDA relocation

[Anonymous]

NP. My parents were feds in the 70s-90s. My dad lost 2 very good federal jobs (he was a data analyst, statistician) when one then another agency relocated to DC area, and most of the staff were Not offered relocation, only the leadership. The field offices in large cities closed to consolidate in DC. He couldn’t move even if offered relocation due to caring for elderly parents. He was furloughed then finally offered a customer service type job at a lower grade.

Then, several years later my mom and her colleagues experienced similar situation. Only several relocated to DC. She was close to retirement so stopped working earlier than planned.

Bottom line —- neither parent was offered lucrative benefits or relocation when their jobs went away or moved. No special golden parachute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. My parents were feds in the 70s-90s. My dad lost 2 very good federal jobs (he was a data analyst, statistician) when one then another agency relocated to DC area, and most of the staff were Not offered relocation, only the leadership. The field offices in large cities closed to consolidate in DC. He couldn’t move even if offered relocation due to caring for elderly parents. He was furloughed then finally offered a customer service type job at a lower grade.

Then, several years later my mom and her colleagues experienced similar situation. Only several relocated to DC. She was close to retirement so stopped working earlier than planned.

Bottom line —- neither parent was offered lucrative benefits or relocation when their jobs went away or moved. No special golden parachute.

I don't think any feds expect a golden parachute - that's more of a corporate thing. The most they can hope for is severance if your job is eliminated. It is based on years of service. I have been in government service for 20 years and my buyout estimate is 175,000 or therabouts. It is basically one year of my pay. if you relocated based on agency necessity they have to pay relocation. But that has a formula and a limit.

[Anonymous]

If Raleigh, why not rent a small apartment close to Raleigh but on the way to/ from your house? I can’t imagine not wanting to spend the < $1000 / mo on than instead of sleeping in a car, showing at a gym, and cooking where?

[Anonymous]

Maybe sleep in your office

[Anonymous]

I would love to move out of DC. I wish my agency would give us this option, assuming you can choose your duty station. Moving to Indianapolis and living in Carmel does not sound terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you go to Raleigh? The other locations are not great.

Probably, this is only "acceptable" location. I may go there temporarily, till finding a new fed job within 50 miles.

If Raleigh, I may just sleep in my SUV and go home very weekend.

In that case, they will still pay me DC locality. But my life will be miserable, sleep in my car and drive back and forth every weekend.

That's not accurate, OP would be assigned to Raleigh and receive Raleigh locality pay. It is based upon your duty station, not where you live.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP, do you have kids? If not, this is totally do-able.

I would not be a landlord in DC, but NoVa is a sort of ok place to be a landlord, laws wise.

You could rent out your house and rent a place in the new one. Stick it out for a few years and then retire with benefits and find another job.

Try to drag out the relocation as long as you can so you can stay near your parents as long as possible.

Do not sleep in your car. That is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Is the work you’re doing tolerable? You could plan to rent your house and just relocate for a year or so and then reassess your options. The job market will hopefully be better then.

[Anonymous]

Is 100 miles commute distance doable every day?

It is definitely doable every week, but how about every day? I think it is 2 hours drive if not peak hour. Like 4:30am to 6:30am, then 3pm-5pm.

I used to work for an agency there after graduation, and still know some people there. Well, their positions may be open to internal only. I may have a better chance of getting a fed position there than getting a position in DC metro area, since I have related job experience (in that agency) and still have occasional contact with one former colleague there, only one colleague. It has been quite some years, most other people I knew are also gone, people come and go all the time, especially for young employees. Anyway, the chance may not be high, most agencies don't hire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is 100 miles commute distance doable every day?

It is definitely doable every week, but how about every day? I think it is 2 hours drive if not peak hour. Like 4:30am to 6:30am, then 3pm-5pm.

I used to work for an agency there after graduation, and still know some people there. Well, their positions may be open to internal only. I may have a better chance of getting a fed position there than getting a position in DC metro area, since I have related job experience (in that agency) and still have occasional contact with one former colleague there, only one colleague. It has been quite some years, most other people I knew are also gone, people come and go all the time, especially for young employees. Anyway, the chance may not be high, most agencies don't hire.

I hope telework will be back in 3 years, then I don't have to drive that far every day. Telework used to be normal and reasonable thing, but not under this administration.

[Anonymous]

Can you rent out your DC house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take the parents with you.

Then, the admin could move make them move back or somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

I would go to Fort Collins before Raleigh. Fort Collins is a great town and great lifestyle

[Anonymous]

I am completely okay relocating in normal times, but I would not relocate now. These aren't real "relocations". They are just saying you need to relocate so that you quit. They don't actually want you anymore. So you could make the $$$ decision to have your spouse quit their job, sell your house, relocate and then you're still RIFed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am completely okay relocating in normal times, but I would not relocate now. These aren't real "relocations". They are just saying you need to relocate so that you quit. They don't actually want you anymore. So you could make the $$$ decision to have your spouse quit their job, sell your house, relocate and then you're still RIFed.

This would be my concern as well.