Any other agencies increasing telework flexibilities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Split schedule is my dream. My oldest is having trouble at aftercare and is begging to be a walker. If I could just come home and telework 3-5pm that would be life changing. I have been debating quitting over it.

You will not be working between 3-5pm because you will take care of your kids. Split schedule just allows part-time with a full-time pay.

This is an ancient and boring debate. I always assume the people who start it didn't do much actual parenting of their own kids or they'd realize how dumb they sound.

Plenty of kids are old enough to be alone in the house but can't physically get there without a ride (we don't have a bus). Or they are fine to do homework if someone's in the house for accountability (e.g., an adult would hear the TV turn on) but don't need interaction.

"ancient and boring" does not mean it is not true. Your assumption is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some rumors that ad-hoc TW limits will increase to 240 hrs next year, up from the current 80.

What agency? We have 0 hrs - not even for appointments. It must be an “emergency” where the work must get done that day and you cannot be in the office for some reason. No thanks.

HHS OpDiv

[Anonymous]

Any agency allows regular telework, like 2 or 3 days per week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Split schedule is my dream. My oldest is having trouble at aftercare and is begging to be a walker. If I could just come home and telework 3-5pm that would be life changing. I have been debating quitting over it.

You will not be working between 3-5pm because you will take care of your kids. Split schedule just allows part-time with a full-time pay.

DP.

I kind of agree but, it can work with certain employees—others completely abuse it and are nowhere to be found after they leave for the day. But, I guess that’s what IT logs are for—FAFO.

I prefer full day telework with 3 days in the office per week. Which is what I had for years, way before Covid. The 6 hours a week I gained back from commuting were really valuable.

What are we even doing? I’m so tired of all of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (mid-size federal regulators) got great news that they will be increasing telework flexibilities starting in the new year. Woo hoo! Not to our pandemic, or even pre-pandemic levels, but it’s something. And who knows if we will still continue to get sh(* on by the current administration in other ways, but this is good news for now, especially for those of us that made it through 2025 (just barely in my case).

Anyone else?

do you have any more detail beyond "increasing flexibilities"? As in, will you get once a week telework? Or just what we have, which is five optional telework days per year for personal reasons, and then additional telework on occasion if you are waiting for a repair person or whatever.

Split schedules to telework in mornings/evenings and limited telework for health appointments.

I would love a split schedule - go in for the morning (I get in early), commute at lunch, and finish at home.

Ugh. If you do this then you also need to use the flexibility to make yourself available for meetings outside your normal work schedule. It’s already hard enough to coordinate with team members who leave at 3pm.

I leave at 3:00 now because there's no telework. I can't join your 4 pm meeting because I'm commuting. If I could commute at lunch I'd be online till 5 or later, just like I was before RTO.

No, now you would be MIA at an even more inconvenient time (presumably 11-12 because you would be commuting home). And then probably honestly not that reachable after 3. At least you would be forced to actually take your lunch 1/2 hour instead of claiming you are working through it.

Why could someone not be available after 3 just because they came into the office in the morning vs if they telework the whole day?

My DH is private sector and mostly works from home. But sometimes he commutes in for some morning meetings / half day conference or whatever. Then drives home at lunch and wraps up his day as usual teleworking. Seems like nbd, no different than popping out for some lunch time errands and coming back home.

But his boss only cares if he shows up for meetings and gets his work done. He makes more than my fed attorney salary and isn’t micromanaged re: his leave use or where he works. He’s a director now but even before that he was given a lot of flexibility.

[Anonymous]

We have had some flexibility loosen up during the shutdown and also the days surrounding the most recent holidays. The pattern suggests it's being used to keep more people working who would have otherwise taken off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (mid-size federal regulators) got great news that they will be increasing telework flexibilities starting in the new year. Woo hoo! Not to our pandemic, or even pre-pandemic levels, but it’s something. And who knows if we will still continue to get sh(* on by the current administration in other ways, but this is good news for now, especially for those of us that made it through 2025 (just barely in my case).

Anyone else?

do you have any more detail beyond "increasing flexibilities"? As in, will you get once a week telework? Or just what we have, which is five optional telework days per year for personal reasons, and then additional telework on occasion if you are waiting for a repair person or whatever.

Split schedules to telework in mornings/evenings and limited telework for health appointments.

I would love a split schedule - go in for the morning (I get in early), commute at lunch, and finish at home.

Ugh. If you do this then you also need to use the flexibility to make yourself available for meetings outside your normal work schedule. It’s already hard enough to coordinate with team members who leave at 3pm.

I leave at 3:00 now because there's no telework. I can't join your 4 pm meeting because I'm commuting. If I could commute at lunch I'd be online till 5 or later, just like I was before RTO.

No, now you would be MIA at an even more inconvenient time (presumably 11-12 because you would be commuting home). And then probably honestly not that reachable after 3. At least you would be forced to actually take your lunch 1/2 hour instead of claiming you are working through it.

Why could someone not be available after 3 just because they came into the office in the morning vs if they telework the whole day?

My DH is private sector and mostly works from home. But sometimes he commutes in for some morning meetings / half day conference or whatever. Then drives home at lunch and wraps up his day as usual teleworking. Seems like nbd, no different than popping out for some lunch time errands and coming back home.

But his boss only cares if he shows up for meetings and gets his work done. He makes more than my fed attorney salary and isn’t micromanaged re: his leave use or where he works. He’s a director now but even before that he was given a lot of flexibility.

Many private sector jobs don’t micromanage time the way federal government does. My DH is private sector and no one cares if he works 37 hours one week and 47 hours the next as long as he gets his work done. He also isn’t forced to take a 30 minute lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Split schedule is inefficient and promotes wasting and abuse. What's the point of just be in the office for a few hours and incurring cost and time for treveling? You will also be tired in the afternoon after the two-way traveling and getting up early in the morning. Some people will just take a nap or not doing work at home.

They should just give people a couple of full-days of telework per week.

traveling anywhere to use your laptop is inefficient! The giant office buildings full of people using laptops is inefficient. It’s all a giant waste of money and resources. I commute 15 hours a week to sit by myself and work on a laptop.

[Anonymous]

The pendulum swing was too far and too fast. It’s not surprising it’s swinging back again. If it was a gradual removal of telework I’d be more concerned. But this overnight because we hate government workers was never going to last.

[Anonymous]

Mine is going the other way. We have ad hoc telework but now they are being strict with how people are using it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (mid-size federal regulators) got great news that they will be increasing telework flexibilities starting in the new year. Woo hoo! Not to our pandemic, or even pre-pandemic levels, but it’s something. And who knows if we will still continue to get sh(* on by the current administration in other ways, but this is good news for now, especially for those of us that made it through 2025 (just barely in my case).

Anyone else?

do you have any more detail beyond "increasing flexibilities"? As in, will you get once a week telework? Or just what we have, which is five optional telework days per year for personal reasons, and then additional telework on occasion if you are waiting for a repair person or whatever.

Split schedules to telework in mornings/evenings and limited telework for health appointments.

I would love a split schedule - go in for the morning (I get in early), commute at lunch, and finish at home.

Ugh. If you do this then you also need to use the flexibility to make yourself available for meetings outside your normal work schedule. It’s already hard enough to coordinate with team members who leave at 3pm.

I leave at 3:00 now because there's no telework. I can't join your 4 pm meeting because I'm commuting. If I could commute at lunch I'd be online till 5 or later, just like I was before RTO.

No, now you would be MIA at an even more inconvenient time (presumably 11-12 because you would be commuting home). And then probably honestly not that reachable after 3. At least you would be forced to actually take your lunch 1/2 hour instead of claiming you are working through it.

Why could someone not be available after 3 just because they came into the office in the morning vs if they telework the whole day?

My DH is private sector and mostly works from home. But sometimes he commutes in for some morning meetings / half day conference or whatever. Then drives home at lunch and wraps up his day as usual teleworking. Seems like nbd, no different than popping out for some lunch time errands and coming back home.

But his boss only cares if he shows up for meetings and gets his work done. He makes more than my fed attorney salary and isn’t micromanaged re: his leave use or where he works. He’s a director now but even before that he was given a lot of flexibility.

I’m sure your husband shows up for meetings as needed and doesn’t just refuse to do anything after 3pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (mid-size federal regulators) got great news that they will be increasing telework flexibilities starting in the new year. Woo hoo! Not to our pandemic, or even pre-pandemic levels, but it’s something. And who knows if we will still continue to get sh(* on by the current administration in other ways, but this is good news for now, especially for those of us that made it through 2025 (just barely in my case).

Anyone else?

do you have any more detail beyond "increasing flexibilities"? As in, will you get once a week telework? Or just what we have, which is five optional telework days per year for personal reasons, and then additional telework on occasion if you are waiting for a repair person or whatever.

Split schedules to telework in mornings/evenings and limited telework for health appointments.

I would love a split schedule - go in for the morning (I get in early), commute at lunch, and finish at home.

Ugh. If you do this then you also need to use the flexibility to make yourself available for meetings outside your normal work schedule. It’s already hard enough to coordinate with team members who leave at 3pm.

I leave at 3:00 now because there's no telework. I can't join your 4 pm meeting because I'm commuting. If I could commute at lunch I'd be online till 5 or later, just like I was before RTO.

No, now you would be MIA at an even more inconvenient time (presumably 11-12 because you would be commuting home). And then probably honestly not that reachable after 3. At least you would be forced to actually take your lunch 1/2 hour instead of claiming you are working through it.

Why could someone not be available after 3 just because they came into the office in the morning vs if they telework the whole day?

My DH is private sector and mostly works from home. But sometimes he commutes in for some morning meetings / half day conference or whatever. Then drives home at lunch and wraps up his day as usual teleworking. Seems like nbd, no different than popping out for some lunch time errands and coming back home.

But his boss only cares if he shows up for meetings and gets his work done. He makes more than my fed attorney salary and isn’t micromanaged re: his leave use or where he works. He’s a director now but even before that he was given a lot of flexibility.

Many private sector jobs don’t micromanage time the way federal government does. My DH is private sector and no one cares if he works 37 hours one week and 47 hours the next as long as he gets his work done. He also isn’t forced to take a 30 minute lunch.

That’s very different from the feds who work from 6:30-3 and refuse to take meetings after 3. Even if we need to talk to people in different time zones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (mid-size federal regulators) got great news that they will be increasing telework flexibilities starting in the new year. Woo hoo! Not to our pandemic, or even pre-pandemic levels, but it’s something. And who knows if we will still continue to get sh(* on by the current administration in other ways, but this is good news for now, especially for those of us that made it through 2025 (just barely in my case).

Anyone else?

do you have any more detail beyond "increasing flexibilities"? As in, will you get once a week telework? Or just what we have, which is five optional telework days per year for personal reasons, and then additional telework on occasion if you are waiting for a repair person or whatever.

Split schedules to telework in mornings/evenings and limited telework for health appointments.

I would love a split schedule - go in for the morning (I get in early), commute at lunch, and finish at home.

Ugh. If you do this then you also need to use the flexibility to make yourself available for meetings outside your normal work schedule. It’s already hard enough to coordinate with team members who leave at 3pm.

I leave at 3:00 now because there's no telework. I can't join your 4 pm meeting because I'm commuting. If I could commute at lunch I'd be online till 5 or later, just like I was before RTO.

No, now you would be MIA at an even more inconvenient time (presumably 11-12 because you would be commuting home). And then probably honestly not that reachable after 3. At least you would be forced to actually take your lunch 1/2 hour instead of claiming you are working through it.

Why could someone not be available after 3 just because they came into the office in the morning vs if they telework the whole day?

My DH is private sector and mostly works from home. But sometimes he commutes in for some morning meetings / half day conference or whatever. Then drives home at lunch and wraps up his day as usual teleworking. Seems like nbd, no different than popping out for some lunch time errands and coming back home.

But his boss only cares if he shows up for meetings and gets his work done. He makes more than my fed attorney salary and isn’t micromanaged re: his leave use or where he works. He’s a director now but even before that he was given a lot of flexibility.

Many private sector jobs don’t micromanage time the way federal government does. My DH is private sector and no one cares if he works 37 hours one week and 47 hours the next as long as he gets his work done. He also isn’t forced to take a 30 minute lunch.

That’s very different from the feds who work from 6:30-3 and refuse to take meetings after 3. Even if we need to talk to people in different time zones.

Not a fed anymore, but I think this is reasonable. The federal government is a no frills employer. The medical benefits have degraded to average at best, the working conditions are rock bottom, the pay is below market. You cannot expect extra effort from employees when people have crappy conditions and are also continuously told that their work is meaningless and harmful.

[Anonymous]

I’ve also heard rumors it’s coming back in 2026. Some agencies are randomly teleworking this week. Rumors are that will continue into 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (mid-size federal regulators) got great news that they will be increasing telework flexibilities starting in the new year. Woo hoo! Not to our pandemic, or even pre-pandemic levels, but it’s something. And who knows if we will still continue to get sh(* on by the current administration in other ways, but this is good news for now, especially for those of us that made it through 2025 (just barely in my case).

Anyone else?

do you have any more detail beyond "increasing flexibilities"? As in, will you get once a week telework? Or just what we have, which is five optional telework days per year for personal reasons, and then additional telework on occasion if you are waiting for a repair person or whatever.

Split schedules to telework in mornings/evenings and limited telework for health appointments.

I would love a split schedule - go in for the morning (I get in early), commute at lunch, and finish at home.

Ugh. If you do this then you also need to use the flexibility to make yourself available for meetings outside your normal work schedule. It’s already hard enough to coordinate with team members who leave at 3pm.

I leave at 3:00 now because there's no telework. I can't join your 4 pm meeting because I'm commuting. If I could commute at lunch I'd be online till 5 or later, just like I was before RTO.

No, now you would be MIA at an even more inconvenient time (presumably 11-12 because you would be commuting home). And then probably honestly not that reachable after 3. At least you would be forced to actually take your lunch 1/2 hour instead of claiming you are working through it.

Why could someone not be available after 3 just because they came into the office in the morning vs if they telework the whole day?

My DH is private sector and mostly works from home. But sometimes he commutes in for some morning meetings / half day conference or whatever. Then drives home at lunch and wraps up his day as usual teleworking. Seems like nbd, no different than popping out for some lunch time errands and coming back home.

But his boss only cares if he shows up for meetings and gets his work done. He makes more than my fed attorney salary and isn’t micromanaged re: his leave use or where he works. He’s a director now but even before that he was given a lot of flexibility.

Many private sector jobs don’t micromanage time the way federal government does. My DH is private sector and no one cares if he works 37 hours one week and 47 hours the next as long as he gets his work done. He also isn’t forced to take a 30 minute lunch.

That’s very different from the feds who work from 6:30-3 and refuse to take meetings after 3. Even if we need to talk to people in different time zones.

I've worked 6:30 to 3:00 at an agency that required in-person and didn't allow any kind of credit for overtime, and I've worked 6:30-3:00 at an agency that was flexible about telework and let me bank extra hours when I worked late. Guess which one got me to take meetings after 3:00?
Make it easy for people to work late and pay people for their time, and you won't have an issue.