Regret being sup GS-15 and just want non-sup GS-14
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Anonymous
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Has anyone felt like this and actually carried through with the change?
I am mid-40s and have 15 years as a Fed. I became a GS-15 supervisor a few years ago and struggle with the stress and anxiety (I'm in therapy/meds) of managing staff issues. I just struggle with making decisions that aren't perfect and that will inevitably bother some staff. I was a supervisor in my early 30s, hated it then and took a step back, but thought 10 years later I'd be more prepared for the challenge. Now that it's my second go around, I'm just not sure it's for me, but hate the thought of losing pay (I'm a high GS-15 step), plus what others in my organization will think, and lastly whether I'll be bored as an individual contributor. I have a challenging home situation with a child with mental health issues and so feel stressed at work and stressed at home. I just don't know that I can continue to do this for the next 15 years. |
Anonymous
| Can you go down to a non-sup 14? The first line sup job is the worst job in govt. staff don't listen to you and, not only that, they unload their frustration on you. your managers think you should be on 24/7 standby... you are f'ed front and back. either move down or move up one more level... or look for another job. good luck. |
Anonymous
| My aunt did this years ago when she worked for the EPA. She said she no longer wanted a supervisor role, so they let her move into another position without supervision but somehow got to keep the GS 15 salary. Granted she was really good, with a hard to find specialty, so that may have played into her keeping the GS 15. Talking with her though, she would have taken the salary cut not to supervise. She absolutely hated supervising. The pay increase was not worth it to her. |
Anonymous
| What about a nonspervisory 15? I love it. |
Anonymous
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OP - this is no way to go through life. Any chance of transferring to a different department or agency?
I'm mid-40s myself and was extremely stressed in the same way (no therapy or meds - just b*tched a lot to my DW). I was responsible for hiring, firing and managing staff who reported to me. Likewise, I had to manage up a lot and deal with backstabbing colleagues who were looking to undermine me in order to take over my team (which had the reputation of being the best in the department). I'm currently looking for individual contributor roles because I don't like the stress and want to spend more time with my kids. Hopefully you've saved up some money and can afford to take an income hit in order to save your sanity. Trust me, it's not worth the extra money. You'll lose at work, at home, and most importantly - you'll lose yourself. Is money worth it? |
Anonymous
Op here, that would be my dream job, but I'm in mgmt analysis/HR and that's likely non-existent. I think you mainly see those non sup 15s in attorney type positions. |
Anonymous
The best job in Govt - a nonsupervisory 15!! I love it too (801 series). |
Anonymous
| My wife did this after an injury. You should not worry about what your colleagues think. Life is too short to be in a position that causes you anxiety and other problems. Family first. |
Anonymous
Losing pay may be a valid reason if your $ situation is tight... The second reason is not valid (who cares??). The third reason (being a contributor), I think you can find a way. |
Anonymous
| Oh yes, wouldn't it be nice to keep the salary without having to worry about doing the work that accompanies it? Don't be silly, OP. If you can't handle the workload that is required for that pay grade you'll have to take a pay cut because you'll be doing a different job or get another job. |
Anonymous
Try non-supervisory 16 at SEC, or comparable positions at other non-GS agencies. That's the good life. |
Anonymous
| Op here and thanks for the feedback. |
Anonymous
I'm about to move back into Gov't as a non supervisory GS-15 pending interim security clearance. No direct reports but have to manage a cross agency program so will also have the challenge of trying to influence people who have no reason to do anything I suggest. I'm down to earth and gregarious so I'm hoping that will help. |
Anonymous
| Wow does it differ by agency. It's very rare to get above 12 or 13 without being supervisory in mine. |
Anonymous
@ CIA you can get into their version of the senior exec service (Senior Intelligence Service) in the DI. They did it to keep great analysts that just wanted to do research, write, and work on products without the managing bullshit and realized it wasn't worth seeing people with built up knowledge leave if they didn't want to manage but their level was being capped due to that. That's what my manager told me. It was a big selling point when I went through recruitment there. |