Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard there is remote work at the Board. That sounds like a great perk. It might be worth the abuse for the flexibility.

I can speak from personal experience that my colleagues and I worry about our jobs on a weekly basis due to the high production quotas and mistreatment/abuse. Sure, you get the flexibility to telework full time, but there's a lot of stress that goes along with the flexibility. There's also no guarantee that you will be able to telework, as that decision is dependent on approval from both your supervisor and judge. In fact, some of my colleagues who joined the Board specifically for the flexibility of remote work, ended up unemployed within 10 months of starting their employment at VA because they could not meet the high production quotas and/or sustained mental breakdowns due to the mistreatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard there is remote work at the Board. That sounds like a great perk. It might be worth the abuse for the flexibility.

I can speak from personal experience that my colleagues and I worry about our jobs on a weekly basis due to the high production quotas and mistreatment/abuse. Sure, you get the flexibility to telework full time, but there's a lot of stress that goes along with the flexibility. There's also no guarantee that you will be able to telework, as that decision is dependent on approval from both your supervisor and judge. In fact, some of my colleagues who joined the Board specifically for the flexibility of remote work, ended up unemployed within 10 months of starting their employment at VA because they could not meet the high production quotas and/or sustained mental breakdowns due to the mistreatment.

Also, don’t forget the extreme isolation that comes from teleworking 50 plus hours a week. The only people you can talk to are coworkers you met during your first six months (if they keep their jobs). Most of the people I started with have left by now so it’s an extremely isolating existence. That helps management with their constant gaslighting and abuse since you don’t know what’s going on with most of your colleagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard there is remote work at the Board. That sounds like a great perk. It might be worth the abuse for the flexibility.

I can speak from personal experience that my colleagues and I worry about our jobs on a weekly basis due to the high production quotas and mistreatment/abuse. Sure, you get the flexibility to telework full time, but there's a lot of stress that goes along with the flexibility. There's also no guarantee that you will be able to telework, as that decision is dependent on approval from both your supervisor and judge. In fact, some of my colleagues who joined the Board specifically for the flexibility of remote work, ended up unemployed within 10 months of starting their employment at VA because they could not meet the high production quotas and/or sustained mental breakdowns due to the mistreatment.

Also, don’t forget the extreme isolation that comes from teleworking 50 plus hours a week. The only people you can talk to are coworkers you met during your first six months (if they keep their jobs). Most of the people I started with have left by now so it’s an extremely isolating existence. That helps management with their constant gaslighting and abuse since you don’t know what’s going on with most of your colleagues.

You make a great point. I agree with you 100%. The isolation certainly enables management to target individuals with impunity. When I joined the Board, a number of attorneys told me to always stand up for myself and not tolerate abuse. At first, I thought these individuals were paranoid. I no longer hold that view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard there is remote work at the Board. That sounds like a great perk. It might be worth the abuse for the flexibility.

I can speak from personal experience that my colleagues and I worry about our jobs on a weekly basis due to the high production quotas and mistreatment/abuse. Sure, you get the flexibility to telework full time, but there's a lot of stress that goes along with the flexibility. There's also no guarantee that you will be able to telework, as that decision is dependent on approval from both your supervisor and judge. In fact, some of my colleagues who joined the Board specifically for the flexibility of remote work, ended up unemployed within 10 months of starting their employment at VA because they could not meet the high production quotas and/or sustained mental breakdowns due to the mistreatment.

Never heard of anyone being denied telework. How could they do that when they don't have enough room in the office for all of the employees. The constant fear of losing your job is real and it never goes away no matter how many years of experience you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard there is remote work at the Board. That sounds like a great perk. It might be worth the abuse for the flexibility.

I can speak from personal experience that my colleagues and I worry about our jobs on a weekly basis due to the high production quotas and mistreatment/abuse. Sure, you get the flexibility to telework full time, but there's a lot of stress that goes along with the flexibility. There's also no guarantee that you will be able to telework, as that decision is dependent on approval from both your supervisor and judge. In fact, some of my colleagues who joined the Board specifically for the flexibility of remote work, ended up unemployed within 10 months of starting their employment at VA because they could not meet the high production quotas and/or sustained mental breakdowns due to the mistreatment.

Never heard of anyone being denied telework. How could they do that when they don't have enough room in the office for all of the employees. The constant fear of losing your job is real and it never goes away no matter how many years of experience you have.

In March 2020, management denied two older employees with chronic health conditions the opportunity to telework. Please see the letter below from the union president to all Board employees.

https://www.afge.org/contentassets/196ce0a3b7d048c7bd4dc0758b494947/memo-covid-19.docx

[Anonymous]

Correction: those employees were not denied telework. The union president is stating that management should have granted those employees safety leave in accordance with the OMB directive.

[Anonymous]

How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?

Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?

Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.

+1

I agree with your assessment of the toxic working environment at the Board; however, I want to clarify that being “treated like trash by your employer” is not unique to the Board. Indeed, there are many workplaces where employees are treated like trash. This is not what sets the Board apart. Yes, you will be treated like trash during your time at the Board. Be warned, however, that if you complain in any manner or even request a new supervisor, management will incinerate your career, as you are trash in their eyes. This level of animosity towards employee is what sets the Board apart, not the usual being “treated like trash by your employer.” Those who have not worked at the Board, simply do not understand how toxic it is.

[Anonymous]

How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?


Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.


+1

I agree with your assessment of the toxic working environment at the Board; however, I want to clarify that being “treated like trash by your employer” is not unique to the Board. Indeed, there are many workplaces where employees are treated like trash. This is not what sets the Board apart. Yes, you will be treated like trash during your time at the Board. Be warned, however, that if you complain in any manner or even request a new supervisor, management will incinerate your career, as you are trash in their eyes. This level of animosity towards employee is what sets the Board apart, not the usual being “treated like trash by your employer.” Those who have not worked at the Board, simply do not understand how toxic it is.

Yes, I have heard this for sure. But, I do know two women who work there that like it and are happy. Does the experience vary widely depending on your supervisor? Could that explain why some people have had a good experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?


Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.


+1

I agree with your assessment of the toxic working environment at the Board; however, I want to clarify that being “treated like trash by your employer” is not unique to the Board. Indeed, there are many workplaces where employees are treated like trash. This is not what sets the Board apart. Yes, you will be treated like trash during your time at the Board. Be warned, however, that if you complain in any manner or even request a new supervisor, management will incinerate your career, as you are trash in their eyes. This level of animosity towards employee is what sets the Board apart, not the usual being “treated like trash by your employer.” Those who have not worked at the Board, simply do not understand how toxic it is.

Yes, I have heard this for sure. But, I do know two women who work there that like it and are happy. Does the experience vary widely depending on your supervisor? Could that explain why some people have had a good experience?

Yes, the experience is night and day different depending on who you work for. Also, it is true that some people are very good at the job. It is perfect for a very specific type of person. That is not the norm. Most people struggle and hate it. So, either your friends are really well suited for the job and are doing fine or they work for really awesome people, or both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?

Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.

+1

I agree with your assessment of the toxic working environment at the Board; however, I want to clarify that being “treated like trash by your employer” is not unique to the Board. Indeed, there are many workplaces where employees are treated like trash. This is not what sets the Board apart. Yes, you will be treated like trash during your time at the Board. Be warned, however, that if you complain in any manner or even request a new supervisor, management will incinerate your career, as you are trash in their eyes. This level of animosity towards employee is what sets the Board apart, not the usual being “treated like trash by your employer.” Those who have not worked at the Board, simply do not understand how toxic it is.

you're correct. The hostility toward employees is special. I'm not saying it exists nowhere else in the law, but I am saying I've never seen that level of animosity anywhere else in 23 years of practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?

Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.

+1

I agree with your assessment of the toxic working environment at the Board; however, I want to clarify that being “treated like trash by your employer” is not unique to the Board. Indeed, there are many workplaces where employees are treated like trash. This is not what sets the Board apart. Yes, you will be treated like trash during your time at the Board. Be warned, however, that if you complain in any manner or even request a new supervisor, management will incinerate your career, as you are trash in their eyes. This level of animosity towards employee is what sets the Board apart, not the usual being “treated like trash by your employer.” Those who have not worked at the Board, simply do not understand how toxic it is.

you're correct. The hostility toward employees is special. I'm not saying it exists nowhere else in the law, but I am saying I've never seen that level of animosity anywhere else in 23 years of practice.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How long does it take to receive a final offer/rescission after submitting the equip sf85p? Does the position require an interview?


Unclear. It goes to an entirely different office and they do it on their own time.

More importantly, think long and hard about whether you want to be treated like trash by your employer.


+1

I agree with your assessment of the toxic working environment at the Board; however, I want to clarify that being “treated like trash by your employer” is not unique to the Board. Indeed, there are many workplaces where employees are treated like trash. This is not what sets the Board apart. Yes, you will be treated like trash during your time at the Board. Be warned, however, that if you complain in any manner or even request a new supervisor, management will incinerate your career, as you are trash in their eyes. This level of animosity towards employee is what sets the Board apart, not the usual being “treated like trash by your employer.” Those who have not worked at the Board, simply do not understand how toxic it is.

Yes, I have heard this for sure. But, I do know two women who work there that like it and are happy. Does the experience vary widely depending on your supervisor? Could that explain why some people have had a good experience?

Yes, the experience is night and day different depending on who you work for. Also, it is true that some people are very good at the job. It is perfect for a very specific type of person. That is not the norm. Most people struggle and hate it. So, either your friends are really well suited for the job and are doing fine or they work for really awesome people, or both.

Upper management at the Board is rotten to the core and routinely plays games with employees. However, there are a few good GS-15 supervisors and judges at the Board who try to make their employees’ lives easier. The attorneys under them generally find the job to be tolerable. But, even these employees face the constant threat of termination due to the high production standard.

[Anonymous]

When I worked at the Board, I came into the office on a Saturday to work (as I often did). After signing in at the guard desk, I asked the guard how many people were signed in. The guard replied 56 people. I wonder how many Board attorneys are working today on a federal holiday.