Federal employees "working from home"

[Anonymous]

You all fell for such obvious bait.

[Anonymous]

I would say report him, but I’m sure you don’t want a fired for cause and unemployed co parent.

[Anonymous]

Lol, so the only evidence of telework abuse that OP has is the fact that her baby daddy spends his vacations with his kid and takes him to soccer practice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol, so the only evidence of telework abuse that OP has is the fact that her baby daddy spends his vacations with his kid and takes him to soccer practice?

The horror!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you be upset that your child's father is able to spend a lot of time with them!!!?????

Seriously! This was my first thought as well. That’s great OP. You’re so lucky. Especially to have coverage for all breaks!

That’s like saying if his dad is stealing money and giving it to the kid, it’s a good thing.

No, it’s not, OP, but we get it - you hate your ex. Sounds like a you problem, not a leave problem. Feds earn a lot of leave and there are a lot of AWS situations. You obvi have no idea what your ex’s work schedule is but are happy to jump to the conclusion that he is cheating the system. Probably because he cheated on you.

What’s obvi?

[Anonymous]

I worked for the government for 20 years. It’s interesting that the instinct of most posters on here is to defend WFH, the time the dad has with his kids, federal employee time-off benefits, etc. In other words, when confronted with the possibility of abuse, federal workers quickly rally around the flag. My experience with such knee-jerk responses is that many know there is abuse, but they don’t want light shed on it. Why? Because they do it too. They don’t want the gravy train to stop. Another typical response to such allegations is that federal employees need a break because they are underpaid. Again, this is all about distraction. For the work performed, many, many Federal employees are overpaid, especially when lifetime benefits are considered. This is even more egregious at the financial regulators. I know. Been there, done that. OP, what you describe is abuse and fraud. It has nothing to do with flexible work arrangements. Unfortunately, I could name you a dozen people from my former agency division that do as your ex does. Yes, they abuse the system. Any “jealousy” on your part is really outrage that this can be happening, and yes, a bit of “if this is how it works, why not me.” But, this isn’t how it should work. You are right to question it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked for the government for 20 years. It’s interesting that the instinct of most posters on here is to defend WFH, the time the dad has with his kids, federal employee time-off benefits, etc. In other words, when confronted with the possibility of abuse, federal workers quickly rally around the flag. My experience with such knee-jerk responses is that many know there is abuse, but they don’t want light shed on it. Why? Because they do it too. They don’t want the gravy train to stop. Another typical response to such allegations is that federal employees need a break because they are underpaid. Again, this is all about distraction. For the work performed, many, many Federal employees are overpaid, especially when lifetime benefits are considered. This is even more egregious at the financial regulators. I know. Been there, done that. OP, what you describe is abuse and fraud. It has nothing to do with flexible work arrangements. Unfortunately, I could name you a dozen people from my former agency division that do as your ex does. Yes, they abuse the system. Any “jealousy” on your part is really outrage that this can be happening, and yes, a bit of “if this is how it works, why not me.” But, this isn’t how it should work. You are right to question it.

Where did you work?

[Anonymous]

My DH is a fed, he's always got tons of leave. Use or Lose, regular vacation, sick, etc. He's been at it 20 years though.

[Anonymous]

There are many in government drawing $150-$200k salaries and averaging 2-3 hours of work/day. You have a lot of free time, me time, fraud time, abuse time, flex time everyday. There’s no need to plan it; it’s just there for the taking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many in government drawing $150-$200k salaries and averaging 2-3 hours of work/day. You have a lot of free time, me time, fraud time, abuse time, flex time everyday. There’s no need to plan it; it’s just there for the taking.

If it is so good, why don’t you apply then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked for the government for 20 years. It’s interesting that the instinct of most posters on here is to defend WFH, the time the dad has with his kids, federal employee time-off benefits, etc. In other words, when confronted with the possibility of abuse, federal workers quickly rally around the flag. My experience with such knee-jerk responses is that many know there is abuse, but they don’t want light shed on it. Why? Because they do it too. They don’t want the gravy train to stop. Another typical response to such allegations is that federal employees need a break because they are underpaid. Again, this is all about distraction. For the work performed, many, many Federal employees are overpaid, especially when lifetime benefits are considered. This is even more egregious at the financial regulators. I know. Been there, done that. OP, what you describe is abuse and fraud. It has nothing to do with flexible work arrangements. Unfortunately, I could name you a dozen people from my former agency division that do as your ex does. Yes, they abuse the system. Any “jealousy” on your part is really outrage that this can be happening, and yes, a bit of “if this is how it works, why not me.” But, this isn’t how it should work. You are right to question it.

Yup, everyone’s colluding. That must be it.

It’s interesting to me that you think people pushing back on what’s an obvious troll post must have a nefarious reason to do so. What other reason could they possibly have for defending themselves when they’re part of a workforce that is the constant target of disingenuous attacks from certain political groups whose primary motive is to lower their own tax bill at everyone’s expense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked for the government for 20 years. It’s interesting that the instinct of most posters on here is to defend WFH, the time the dad has with his kids, federal employee time-off benefits, etc. In other words, when confronted with the possibility of abuse, federal workers quickly rally around the flag. My experience with such knee-jerk responses is that many know there is abuse, but they don’t want light shed on it. Why? Because they do it too. They don’t want the gravy train to stop. Another typical response to such allegations is that federal employees need a break because they are underpaid. Again, this is all about distraction. For the work performed, many, many Federal employees are overpaid, especially when lifetime benefits are considered. This is even more egregious at the financial regulators. I know. Been there, done that. OP, what you describe is abuse and fraud. It has nothing to do with flexible work arrangements. Unfortunately, I could name you a dozen people from my former agency division that do as your ex does. Yes, they abuse the system. Any “jealousy” on your part is really outrage that this can be happening, and yes, a bit of “if this is how it works, why not me.” But, this isn’t how it should work. You are right to question it.

I think the bigger issue is that most of the work we do does not require a full 8 hours. Many meetings are a waste of time or redundant. There are many "bullshit" activities to take up time. I worked a bilingual (French) expert who did human capital planning. I still have no idea what she really did. Nothing about our office changed when she came or when she left. She was a GS 15. I think it is hard to crack the whip on employees when the work is immaterial and many jobs don't require the same type of labor as they once did. I have witnessed one task that used to take weeks to complete, now become completely automated. Those same people who did the job are still employed. Now a manager can assign new tasks but are those new tasks really helpful to the overall mission.

There are many "user experience" jobs in the Federal government that should really focus on the usability of external facing and public goods to help people access Federal services easier. Instead, people are making creative projects and tweaking graphic design branding.

Our office recently tossed away hundreds of dollars of office supplied purchased during the 2000s. Cabinets full of legal note pads, pens, staplers, pens etc.. Someone spent their time and energy purchasing these items assuming they would be used within 5-10 years. Almost 20 years later, all those purchases are going in the trash. Is the also fraud, waste and abuse?

I don't know if we really have any idea what work should look like now. Some people do work hard and their work is extremely important. Many people don't work hard because their work does not have an impact. Who really knows? How many jobs will be obsolete in 20 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked for the government for 20 years. It’s interesting that the instinct of most posters on here is to defend WFH, the time the dad has with his kids, federal employee time-off benefits, etc. In other words, when confronted with the possibility of abuse, federal workers quickly rally around the flag. My experience with such knee-jerk responses is that many know there is abuse, but they don’t want light shed on it. Why? Because they do it too. They don’t want the gravy train to stop. Another typical response to such allegations is that federal employees need a break because they are underpaid. Again, this is all about distraction. For the work performed, many, many Federal employees are overpaid, especially when lifetime benefits are considered. This is even more egregious at the financial regulators. I know. Been there, done that. OP, what you describe is abuse and fraud. It has nothing to do with flexible work arrangements. Unfortunately, I could name you a dozen people from my former agency division that do as your ex does. Yes, they abuse the system. Any “jealousy” on your part is really outrage that this can be happening, and yes, a bit of “if this is how it works, why not me.” But, this isn’t how it should work. You are right to question it.

Yup, everyone’s colluding. That must be it.

It’s interesting to me that you think people pushing back on what’s an obvious troll post must have a nefarious reason to do so. What other reason could they possibly have for defending themselves when they’re part of a workforce that is the constant target of disingenuous attacks from certain political groups whose primary motive is to lower their own tax bill at everyone’s expense?

Reread my post. I don’t need to wonder if this happens, I know that it does. I’ve witnessed it. I knew a young woman who had a child out of wedlock. Even after she returned to work, no one knew where she was. She was never available for assignments. During COVID, she went to live with her mother. Anytime someone raised an issue, her Director covered for her. She became an untouchable. She makes $200k. There are many stories like this. I’m not a troll. I’m channeling reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked for the government for 20 years. It’s interesting that the instinct of most posters on here is to defend WFH, the time the dad has with his kids, federal employee time-off benefits, etc. In other words, when confronted with the possibility of abuse, federal workers quickly rally around the flag. My experience with such knee-jerk responses is that many know there is abuse, but they don’t want light shed on it. Why? Because they do it too. They don’t want the gravy train to stop. Another typical response to such allegations is that federal employees need a break because they are underpaid. Again, this is all about distraction. For the work performed, many, many Federal employees are overpaid, especially when lifetime benefits are considered. This is even more egregious at the financial regulators. I know. Been there, done that. OP, what you describe is abuse and fraud. It has nothing to do with flexible work arrangements. Unfortunately, I could name you a dozen people from my former agency division that do as your ex does. Yes, they abuse the system. Any “jealousy” on your part is really outrage that this can be happening, and yes, a bit of “if this is how it works, why not me.” But, this isn’t how it should work. You are right to question it.

Yup, everyone’s colluding. That must be it.

It’s interesting to me that you think people pushing back on what’s an obvious troll post must have a nefarious reason to do so. What other reason could they possibly have for defending themselves when they’re part of a workforce that is the constant target of disingenuous attacks from certain political groups whose primary motive is to lower their own tax bill at everyone’s expense?

Reread my post. I don’t need to wonder if this happens, I know that it does. I’ve witnessed it. I knew a young woman who had a child out of wedlock. Even after she returned to work, no one knew where she was. She was never available for assignments. During COVID, she went to live with her mother. Anytime someone raised an issue, her Director covered for her. She became an untouchable. She makes $200k. There are many stories like this. I’m not a troll. I’m channeling reality.

How’d you know her, and where’d she work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are many in government drawing $150-$200k salaries and averaging 2-3 hours of work/day. You have a lot of free time, me time, fraud time, abuse time, flex time everyday. There’s no need to plan it; it’s just there for the taking.

If it is so good, why don’t you apply then?

This is a typical stupid response. Address the issue. Essentially, you’re saying, “quit fighting for ethical work behavior and join us in our fraud.” I have self respect.