Value of telework - fed gov edition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

I had worked at home for about 15 years. Now I commute 2 hours a day to an office where most of my coworkers do not work so we are all in meetings all the time and it's loud. Yes I did commute for most of my kids childhood so I know it's possible...but that was before laptops, teams, and VPNs. Now it's just a waste of reasources for both sides...the extra space rental, the transit subsidies. I don't believe it will last. It makes no sense.

It really doesn’t. I’m spending 15-20 hours a week to move my laptop from one location to another. It is such a waste of my time. I want the experience on my resume and will jump ship as soon as possible.

[Anonymous]

OP it depends on which finreg. If it’s OCC or FDIC I’d leave. But I would only leave if I thought the move would help me professionally and I could move to the private sector.

I do think all agencies will allow more telework over time. I’m actually surprised there is as much telework a year in as there is.

really the correct move is to leave for the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

I’m sorry your kids extracurricular is interfering with your work. Prior generations hired a driving nanny or did a dance class later in evening or weekends. Why can’t your spouse take them sometimes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

I had worked at home for about 15 years. Now I commute 2 hours a day to an office where most of my coworkers do not work so we are all in meetings all the time and it's loud. Yes I did commute for most of my kids childhood so I know it's possible...but that was before laptops, teams, and VPNs. Now it's just a waste of reasources for both sides...the extra space rental, the transit subsidies. I don't believe it will last. It makes no sense.

It really doesn’t. I’m spending 15-20 hours a week to move my laptop from one location to another. It is such a waste of my time. I want the experience on my resume and will jump ship as soon as possible.

You have a 3-4 hr daily commute? You need to move closer to your job, sorry the new build cabin in the exurbs will have to wait till retirement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

DP, but in the last few months my 30 minute commute (which has existed for over a decade) has grown to 1.5, which is a noticeable difference and I’m certain that poster didn’t anticipate that being an issue after having flexibility for 20 years. While I’ve sucked up the changes and adjusted, I empathize with that poster. In these days and times, empathy goes a long way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

DP, but in the last few months my 30 minute commute (which has existed for over a decade) has grown to 1.5, which is a noticeable difference and I’m certain that poster didn’t anticipate that being an issue after having flexibility for 20 years. While I’ve sucked up the changes and adjusted, I empathize with that poster. In these days and times, empathy goes a long way.

what could possibly have tripled your commute, that is a special case. most people took advantage of telework to buy a newer bigger place in some far flung address. and employers dont care now that its far. they really dont care that making dance class doesnt work now.

you need to frame it that you work better from home, less interruptions, etc

people had dance classes before telework; some parents went in early to leave early, hired nannies, lived near family, or found later dance classes. returning to that normal, where an employee prioritizes their job over convenience is the new expectation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

DP, but in the last few months my 30 minute commute (which has existed for over a decade) has grown to 1.5, which is a noticeable difference and I’m certain that poster didn’t anticipate that being an issue after having flexibility for 20 years. While I’ve sucked up the changes and adjusted, I empathize with that poster. In these days and times, empathy goes a long way.

Another DP. When I got my job, it was remote, my duty station was my home address. We had a union contract protecting telework. All of this was illegally changed. Many coworkers have a 1 hour or more commute now. They’re making it work but you can’t just blame people for living far away. Many are in 2 income households where the spouse works in a different location. It’s not like anyone is going to sell their home and move when we’re under the threat of reorganization or layoffs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

DP, but in the last few months my 30 minute commute (which has existed for over a decade) has grown to 1.5, which is a noticeable difference and I’m certain that poster didn’t anticipate that being an issue after having flexibility for 20 years. While I’ve sucked up the changes and adjusted, I empathize with that poster. In these days and times, empathy goes a long way.

what could possibly have tripled your commute, that is a special case. most people took advantage of telework to buy a newer bigger place in some far flung address. and employers dont care now that its far. they really dont care that making dance class doesnt work now.

you need to frame it that you work better from home, less interruptions, etc

people had dance classes before telework; some parents went in early to leave early, hired nannies, lived near family, or found later dance classes. returning to that normal, where an employee prioritizes their job over convenience is the new expectation

It's not a special case. Lots of people took new remote or hybrid jobs, had offices that moved, etc., it's very much not just that people moved further from their work.

And as for going in early to leave early, my whole division which I left is on "core hours" of 9-5. My job went from being fully remote to 7:30-6:30 including the commute. Even with aftercare, I was never going to be able to pick up my kids. I'm doing fine since leaving, but when that part of government can no longer do what it's supposed to do because everyone who could leave did leave, that's why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes gs 14 is non supervisory and pretty anti social (which to me is a plus)

I took a paucity to go from an in person highly stressful job in a toxic environment to a partially remote job that I love. My health is better. My family likes me better. My life is happier. I save time and money on commuting. But it does get lonely for me so I end up going in extra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

I had worked at home for about 15 years. Now I commute 2 hours a day to an office where most of my coworkers do not work so we are all in meetings all the time and it's loud. Yes I did commute for most of my kids childhood so I know it's possible...but that was before laptops, teams, and VPNs. Now it's just a waste of reasources for both sides...the extra space rental, the transit subsidies. I don't believe it will last. It makes no sense.

It really doesn’t. I’m spending 15-20 hours a week to move my laptop from one location to another. It is such a waste of my time. I want the experience on my resume and will jump ship as soon as possible.

You have a 3-4 hr daily commute? You need to move closer to your job, sorry the new build cabin in the exurbs will have to wait till retirement

1.5 hours each way.

No way I’m moving closer to my job. First, telework is slowly being allowed again. Second, I don’t plan to stay with this employer much longer.

It would be better for me financially to go part time than to lose my low mortgage rate and spend a million+ more on a house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

DP, but in the last few months my 30 minute commute (which has existed for over a decade) has grown to 1.5, which is a noticeable difference and I’m certain that poster didn’t anticipate that being an issue after having flexibility for 20 years. While I’ve sucked up the changes and adjusted, I empathize with that poster. In these days and times, empathy goes a long way.

Another DP. When I got my job, it was remote, my duty station was my home address. We had a union contract protecting telework. All of this was illegally changed. Many coworkers have a 1 hour or more commute now. They’re making it work but you can’t just blame people for living far away. Many are in 2 income households where the spouse works in a different location. It’s not like anyone is going to sell their home and move when we’re under the threat of reorganization or layoffs.

No one should be moving right now for a federal job. Telework could be reinstated as quickly as it went away. Or there could be a RIF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh, the shock and awe part of RTO is over.
RTO has served its purpose of traumatizing people and making them want to quit. It has mostly run its course. Nothing is ever permanent but if someone is hiring for a remote position in today’s environment, I think there is a good enough chance of it staying remote.

I never understood why it was such a big deal. Most Feds are older and worked for years even decades in office.

People keep saying this. It’s simply not true. I’ve had telework available since 2006. That’s nearly 20 years. My entire career. So yes, it was a big deal to have it taken away in one fell swoop. I’d been able to telework 2-3 days a week since long before COVID. Being able to bring my kid to dance two days a week without taking leave because I didn’t commute those days was a big consideration in committing to dance every year, and it is a school year long commitment since you pay for the studio year whether you go or not. So it’s not like I could just pivot last March and be like, whoops, sorry, you’ve got to quit dance mid year after a decade. Now, I take an hour and a half of leave twice a week to make it happen. This is stupid. But whatever. You don’t want a full week of work out of me, that’s cool.

You make Feds look bad. It’s one thing to pick up kids from school and then plop the doing homework or tv while you work. Even better to argue that you work better in home with less distraction and no tiring commute. But what are you even doing here? Are you taking off at 3 and “working” at the dance studio?

I’m a DP, but when I was teleworking, I could be done at 5 and take kid to his activity 30 min away at 5:30. Now I would have to leave at 3:30 to be home at 5 to take kid to activity at 5:30.

You live 1.5hr away from your work? That’s your problem.

DP, but in the last few months my 30 minute commute (which has existed for over a decade) has grown to 1.5, which is a noticeable difference and I’m certain that poster didn’t anticipate that being an issue after having flexibility for 20 years. While I’ve sucked up the changes and adjusted, I empathize with that poster. In these days and times, empathy goes a long way.

Another DP. When I got my job, it was remote, my duty station was my home address. We had a union contract protecting telework. All of this was illegally changed. Many coworkers have a 1 hour or more commute now. They’re making it work but you can’t just blame people for living far away. Many are in 2 income households where the spouse works in a different location. It’s not like anyone is going to sell their home and move when we’re under the threat of reorganization or layoffs.

Many people said that the remote work was not the new normal, managers liked butts in seats, and wealthy interests wanted to protect commercial real estate. so taking a remote job was a risk; this happened a decade ago at Yahoo and IBM, its hardly unprecedented to be recalled back to home office.

If two workers in far flung jobs, you need to live near one persons job, and the other commutes. Then one drops off and one picks up, or you hire a driving nanny to pickup and take to activities. Telework was always fragile, and employers just waited for job market to turn — and the working two jobs at once people really annoys employers, if you have idle time you should be innovating and improving thats why you are salary. With AI jobs are getting even more of the screws, so stop complaining about picking up for dance or other nonsense and focus on doing job well AND maybe advocating how telework improves your performance at work (beyond Im happier because Larla dances!)