Surprise email from Supervisor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl. Everyone has to deal with the crappy parking situation. That is not a good reason at all. It is making you out to be kind of a diva. The noise, the parking, everything bothers you. What did you do before? This does not seem like a great fit for you. Federal government is not glamorous or comfortable.

how do you know i am a girl. i could be a guy.

Because if you were a man, you would have said it rather than post this coy response. This type of game playing that you do has your boss on to you already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh no. Yeah you can't tell your boss your neighbor is loud so you will be working from home. Doesn't work that way. Discuss the noise issue with your boss. I would definitely plan to be in the office on your assigned days (with a good headset).

I was in the office but in a different location not at my cube due to noise. Telework request is a different request.

It sounds like nobody knew you were there.

Not only that, OP is purposefully being coy about where she went (and also what caused her to be out one day - if that's what was going on about a telework day - very unclear). I think she is going home but doesn't want to admit that here.

I don't think it was just one day but the wanting to change the day of the week supposed to be in bc of parking. Did you drive in and then go home, OP?

I think OP is going to be fired.

I’m curious about this as well. Did the telework change request then get sent after OP went home.

Also, for the people suggesting OP change their hours so they can arrive earlier when there is parking, how easy is it to do that as a Fed? At this point wouldn’t that just further frustrate the manager (who is clearly building a paper trail).

I think people weren’t suggesting that he change his hours. Just that he arrive half an hour early on the in office days for a few months since this is a new job and he’s on thin ice. Use the extra time to make a good impression and learn the job.

OP, I would not ask for any additional workplace flexibility right now. Do what’s expected of you, when and where they ask, for 6 months or a year to prove yourself, and don’t ask for flexibility or favors.

Your job is to make things EASIER for your supervisor. But asking him/her to approve all of these changes for you, you’re making his/her day more complicated, and you’re showing that your comfort and convenience is your priority.

Good luck! I hope you can resume things at this job, or that you’re able to get off on a better foot at your next job.

There was at least one post suggesting that OP change hours:

“Hi original poster I'm here to help

The parking issue can be resolved. If you try to come in earlier to get one of the parking spots. I've had that issue and I changed my hours to come in before the parking lot is full. It might mean that you have to work with your spouse on getting the kids to school on those days so that you can scoot out earlier. Or you can get your kids into the before school program And on those days, drop your kid off at school earlier than normal.

For the changing desk situation, if you need to move desks, put a sign on your desk, saying if you're looking for me, please go to X space that's where you will find me. That way if anybody sees your desk is empty at least you have a sign they're saying you're still in the office but at a different location. Of course let your boss know that you have to do this because of your noisy neighbor so it's notunforeseen and people know to look for that sign.

Good luck.”

Scoot out of the house, not out of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh no. Yeah you can't tell your boss your neighbor is loud so you will be working from home. Doesn't work that way. Discuss the noise issue with your boss. I would definitely plan to be in the office on your assigned days (with a good headset).

I was in the office but in a different location not at my cube due to noise. Telework request is a different request.

It sounds like nobody knew you were there.

Not only that, OP is purposefully being coy about where she went (and also what caused her to be out one day - if that's what was going on about a telework day - very unclear). I think she is going home but doesn't want to admit that here.

I don't think it was just one day but the wanting to change the day of the week supposed to be in bc of parking. Did you drive in and then go home, OP?

I think OP is going to be fired.

I’m curious about this as well. Did the telework change request then get sent after OP went home.

Also, for the people suggesting OP change their hours so they can arrive earlier when there is parking, how easy is it to do that as a Fed? At this point wouldn’t that just further frustrate the manager (who is clearly building a paper trail).

I think people weren’t suggesting that he change his hours. Just that he arrive half an hour early on the in office days for a few months since this is a new job and he’s on thin ice. Use the extra time to make a good impression and learn the job.

OP, I would not ask for any additional workplace flexibility right now. Do what’s expected of you, when and where they ask, for 6 months or a year to prove yourself, and don’t ask for flexibility or favors.

Your job is to make things EASIER for your supervisor. But asking him/her to approve all of these changes for you, you’re making his/her day more complicated, and you’re showing that your comfort and convenience is your priority.

Good luck! I hope you can resume things at this job, or that you’re able to get off on a better foot at your next job.

There was at least one post suggesting that OP change hours:

“Hi original poster I'm here to help

The parking issue can be resolved. If you try to come in earlier to get one of the parking spots. I've had that issue and I changed my hours to come in before the parking lot is full. It might mean that you have to work with your spouse on getting the kids to school on those days so that you can scoot out earlier. Or you can get your kids into the before school program And on those days, drop your kid off at school earlier than normal.

For the changing desk situation, if you need to move desks, put a sign on your desk, saying if you're looking for me, please go to X space that's where you will find me. That way if anybody sees your desk is empty at least you have a sign they're saying you're still in the office but at a different location. Of course let your boss know that you have to do this because of your noisy neighbor so it's notunforeseen and people know to look for that sign.

Good luck.”

Scoot out of the house, not out of work.

You’re right, I definitely misread that post!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl. Everyone has to deal with the crappy parking situation. That is not a good reason at all. It is making you out to be kind of a diva. The noise, the parking, everything bothers you. What did you do before? This does not seem like a great fit for you. Federal government is not glamorous or comfortable.

how do you know i am a girl. i could be a guy.

Because if you were a man, you would have said it rather than post this coy response. This type of game playing that you do has your boss on to you already.

You only think it’s “coy” because you think it’s a woman! Haha. If you thought it was a man, you’d like the response was “evasive.”

Fwiw, I have only known a few people over my 20+ year career at law firms and in the federal government to work weird, unapproved hours, never be where they were supposed to be, constantly ask for exceptions and flexibilities (including weird requests with travel and reimbursements and taking a pet or girlfriend with them and trying to get the firm to pay — so not always schedule stuff), and they were all young men who really didn’t seem to understand that what they were doing was problematic.

[Anonymous]

My default is a poster on a DC Urban Mom's site is female unless something in the post pings otherwise. Nothing gave me the impression this was a guy, but OP can feel free to chime in if he or she feels misgendered. FWIW I have had plenty of 50 something female colleagues who are never where they are supposed to be m

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl. Everyone has to deal with the crappy parking situation. That is not a good reason at all. It is making you out to be kind of a diva. The noise, the parking, everything bothers you. What did you do before? This does not seem like a great fit for you. Federal government is not glamorous or comfortable.

how do you know i am a girl. i could be a guy.

Because if you were a man, you would have said it rather than post this coy response. This type of game playing that you do has your boss on to you already.

You only think it’s “coy” because you think it’s a woman! Haha. If you thought it was a man, you’d like the response was “evasive.”

Fwiw, I have only known a few people over my 20+ year career at law firms and in the federal government to work weird, unapproved hours, never be where they were supposed to be, constantly ask for exceptions and flexibilities (including weird requests with travel and reimbursements and taking a pet or girlfriend with them and trying to get the firm to pay — so not always schedule stuff), and they were all young men who really didn’t seem to understand that what they were doing was problematic.

Nope. And your response is wildly sexist. It’s 2024, do better.

[Anonymous]

Too many requests too early.

To turn it around, you need 6 months of perfect behavior. This means -

Parking - Leave home 30-60 mins earlier if you have to in order to get a spot on your assigned day & take a walk or something before work. Maybe that’s why you got that day, because all the senior employees know it is a tough parking day & requested others. Parking is not your boss’s problem. You need to be in office on your assigned day.

Working in your assigned space - be there as much as possible. If you need to move for noise control, move to the closest possible spot. Put up a sign at your desk. Ask boss for approval for this plan, and stick to it- absolutely be in your cubicle or the other space. Don’t rotate between 5 spots - you are either in spot A or spot B (with a note at spot A).

Don’t ask for any other changes (like WFH another day instead of your assigned day because a repairman is coming). Just put off personal stuff for 6 months and be at work consistently & without needing accommodations.

6 months from now, and you are a trusted employee, great, you can start to ask about tho gs if you need. Once a boss trusts you, they are totally willing to work with you. But trust has to be earned first, by completely this first 90 days pretty flawlessly. If this doesn’t work out, remember that for next time - in the first 90 days, do the job to the letter exactly how they have stated the job should be done - in x location, on x day, from this time to this time, with this product format/outcome/etc. Figure out how to make it work exactly as they’ve specified for the first few months to earn trust & get a sense for the job, culture, etc. THEN you can request things that might make your life easier, or suggest process improvements, or whatever. But the first few months are to prove that you can get the job done well & are trustworthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too many requests too early.

To turn it around, you need 6 months of perfect behavior. This means -

Parking - Leave home 30-60 mins earlier if you have to in order to get a spot on your assigned day & take a walk or something before work. Maybe that’s why you got that day, because all the senior employees know it is a tough parking day & requested others. Parking is not your boss’s problem. You need to be in office on your assigned day.

Working in your assigned space - be there as much as possible. If you need to move for noise control, move to the closest possible spot. Put up a sign at your desk. Ask boss for approval for this plan, and stick to it- absolutely be in your cubicle or the other space. Don’t rotate between 5 spots - you are either in spot A or spot B (with a note at spot A).

Don’t ask for any other changes (like WFH another day instead of your assigned day because a repairman is coming). Just put off personal stuff for 6 months and be at work consistently & without needing accommodations.

6 months from now, and you are a trusted employee, great, you can start to ask about tho gs if you need. Once a boss trusts you, they are totally willing to work with you. But trust has to be earned first, by completely this first 90 days pretty flawlessly. If this doesn’t work out, remember that for next time - in the first 90 days, do the job to the letter exactly how they have stated the job should be done - in x location, on x day, from this time to this time, with this product format/outcome/etc. Figure out how to make it work exactly as they’ve specified for the first few months to earn trust & get a sense for the job, culture, etc. THEN you can request things that might make your life easier, or suggest process improvements, or whatever. But the first few months are to prove that you can get the job done well & are trustworthy.

+1. a very good response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone assuming OP is a woman?

Not me. OP reads as (a somewhat clueless) man.

Agree that I am imagining a young man. And I feel a lot of compassion for him!

I do too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He didn’t respond right away because he was talking to others (HR, his boss) about how to handle. They clearly told him to respond in writing. I would be very, very careful, OP. You are still on probation period, so getting a strong start should be your highest priority. Whatever it is that would keep you out of the office on a day you’re supposed to be in, you need to find a workaround. Good luck.

Jesus Christ, an employee wanting to switch one day in a week leads to THAT kind of response?

It’s because it’s not the first time the supervisor has been concerned about OP. OP may not even be aware of other impressions they have made. If you’re in your first sixty days, you are at your desk, on time, taking the training, available and responsive by email and chat.

NP. Also, you are not staring at your cell phone 30 minutes of every hour, unaware that everyone who walks past your cubicle is making a mental note that you're a slacker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Your supervisor, and possibly the next level supervisor, are letting you know that they are inflexible and will stick to the "letter of the law" on work tours and everything else. I would want to run for the hills!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Your federal employment will likely be terminated very soon, OP.
Your supervisor’s request that you ‘not change your telework day’ and that you ‘spend a minimum of eight hours a day’ reveal that others, not just your supervisor, are watching you and reporting to management your actions which are inconsistent with Federal rules and policy. I have worked for state and Federal agencies for over 30 years. An employee, especially a new employee, does not assume liberties with the work schedule. Arrive on time, work the eight, go home. Communicate with your direct supervisor regarding schedule changes and receive your supervisor’s approval. Don’t ’skip level’- your direct supervisor determines workplace issues.
Frankly, your employer cares not a whit about your ‘work-life balance.’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Your federal employment will likely be terminated very soon, OP.
Your supervisor’s request that you ‘not change your telework day’ and that you ‘spend a minimum of eight hours a day’ reveal that others, not just your supervisor, are watching you and reporting to management your actions which are inconsistent with Federal rules and policy. I have worked for state and Federal agencies for over 30 years. An employee, especially a new employee, does not assume liberties with the work schedule. Arrive on time, work the eight, go home. Communicate with your direct supervisor regarding schedule changes and receive your supervisor’s approval. Don’t ’skip level’- your direct supervisor determines workplace issues.
Frankly, your employer cares not a whit about your ‘work-life balance.’

Why mention this? Op’s boss is the one that included the skip level. Not Op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Your federal employment will likely be terminated very soon, OP.
Your supervisor’s request that you ‘not change your telework day’ and that you ‘spend a minimum of eight hours a day’ reveal that others, not just your supervisor, are watching you and reporting to management your actions which are inconsistent with Federal rules and policy. I have worked for state and Federal agencies for over 30 years. An employee, especially a new employee, does not assume liberties with the work schedule. Arrive on time, work the eight, go home. Communicate with your direct supervisor regarding schedule changes and receive your supervisor’s approval. Don’t ’skip level’- your direct supervisor determines workplace issues.
Frankly, your employer cares not a whit about your ‘work-life balance.’

OP here Do I have any way to salvage the situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
i am a new fed.

I was surprised to receive an email from my supervisor asking me not to change my telework days and spend a minimum eight hours a day in the office. I had notified him few weeks ago a situation that would prevent me to be on the office on a specific day I had suggested. an alternate day he never responded. After a few weeks. He sent an email copying my skip Level asking me to stick to my approved in person days only. I am very confused. Is this a disciplinary action? Why did he never speak to me or respond to my communication sent earlier and just sent me Written, communication adding my skip level. I thought i was keeping him informed it looks like something is amiss. I am anxious and confused. what should I do

Your federal employment will likely be terminated very soon, OP.
Your supervisor’s request that you ‘not change your telework day’ and that you ‘spend a minimum of eight hours a day’ reveal that others, not just your supervisor, are watching you and reporting to management your actions which are inconsistent with Federal rules and policy. I have worked for state and Federal agencies for over 30 years. An employee, especially a new employee, does not assume liberties with the work schedule. Arrive on time, work the eight, go home. Communicate with your direct supervisor regarding schedule changes and receive your supervisor’s approval. Don’t ’skip level’- your direct supervisor determines workplace issues.
Frankly, your employer cares not a whit about your ‘work-life balance.’

OP here Do I have any way to salvage the situation?

Did you not notice the other dozens of posts addressing how to do that?