New OPM memo on RTO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Summer is going to be really tough for parents with zero telework flexibility. For just one example preteens/teenagers. One cannot so easily just sign them up for 8-6 summer camps for the entire summer anymore. They have activities that some weeks end at 12-4 pm etc. We the past few years got really used to having some scheduling flexibility that could be maximized during the summer months. I am not quite ready to have them be full-on latchkey kids 5 days a week.

My kids did camp all summer when I was working before the pandemic in a government position without telework.

DP. I'm not sure those exist anymore. I booked extended day camps for my kids last summer every week because I didn't know which days would be in person months ahead of time, and it was really hard to find something. Harder than I would have thought. Almost everything was 8 or 9 until 3 or 4 for full day option.

Yes this is my problem too. “Camp” runs 9-4. Daycare is until 6:30 and my kids are 9! They’re too old to go to daycare camps. Dh and I can switch off who picks up but he’s a fed who travels often.

There are camps with aftercare. Those are the ones you need to use. They are fine for a 9 year old.

Signing up for these camps is going to be like the Hunger Games this year.

We always do camps and the competition is notably fierce right now.

I think we're just going to take turns taking leave for drop offs and pick ups at the camps we usually do. Likely no vacation this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer is going to be really tough for parents with zero telework flexibility. For just one example preteens/teenagers. One cannot so easily just sign them up for 8-6 summer camps for the entire summer anymore. They have activities that some weeks end at 12-4 pm etc. We the past few years got really used to having some scheduling flexibility that could be maximized during the summer months. I am not quite ready to have them be full-on latchkey kids 5 days a week.

My kids did camp all summer when I was working before the pandemic in a government position without telework.

DP. I'm not sure those exist anymore. I booked extended day camps for my kids last summer every week because I didn't know which days would be in person months ahead of time, and it was really hard to find something. Harder than I would have thought. Almost everything was 8 or 9 until 3 or 4 for full day option.

Yes this is my problem too. “Camp” runs 9-4. Daycare is until 6:30 and my kids are 9! They’re too old to go to daycare camps. Dh and I can switch off who picks up but he’s a fed who travels often.

There are camps with aftercare. Those are the ones you need to use. They are fine for a 9 year old.

Signing up for these camps is going to be like the Hunger Games this year.

We always do camps and the competition is notably fierce right now.

I haven't even started because I don't even have confirmation where I'll be working, and how long my commute will be! (I was hired remote and live in the remote edges of the DC area - I could have anywhere from a 10 minute commute, if assigned to a local field office, or 2.5 hours if assigned to HQ downtown.) This is worrisome to hear.

[Anonymous]

Replying to the person asking where I work: After 35 years, I’m retired now. However when I worked in the office, it was a nightmare. Between the office politics, gossiping, backstabbing, cliques, and many unnecessary non-productive in-office meetings, nothing really got done. There is more accountability working from home because it’s online and documented. None of the in-office b.s. that mostly came from HR folks to justify their jobs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Clarification on OPM website indicates situational telework will be only for weather and emergencies declared by the agency.

So I guess that means ANY time I have a doctor's appointment, or one of my kids does, I'll be taking an entire day of SL? Is that even allowed? I've heard some policies saying you can't take more than a half day. But the last train into DC leaves from my city at 7 AM, and I'm sure not buying a second car just to drive an hour to the end of a metro line after appointments.

Cn you please provide a link? I looked but wasn't able to find this. THank you.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USOPM/bulletins/3ce821e

Any idea what this means?


“ Agency heads and employee supervisors are only required to certify telework for “other compelling reasons” for an employee not working full time at the duty station. No such certification is required for an employee disability or qualifying medical condition outside of their agency’s reasonable accommodation procedures. “

I was wondering the same. Who is writing this crap?

AI

AI is more coherent. This was written by 25 year olds raised on Logan Paul videos.

You got that right. This OPM mf writing makes no sense. Anyone have any ideas or examples of qualifying medical condition? I have high cholesterol and prediabetic.

From OPM’s SELF-IDENTIFICATION OF DISABILITY form


02- Developmental Disability, for example, autism
13- Speech impairment
spectrum disorder
41- Spinal abnormalities, for example, spina bifida or scoliosis
03- Traumatic Brain Injury
19- Deaf or serious difficulty hearing, benefiting from,
44- Non-paralytic orthopedic impairments, for example, chronic pain, stiffness, weakness in bones or joints, some loss of ability to use part or parts of the body
for example, American Sign Language, CART, hearing aids, a cochlear implant and/or other supports
51- HIV Positive/AIDS
52- Morbid obesity
20- Blind or serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses
59- Nervous system disorder for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis
31- Missing extremities (arm, leg, hand and/or foot)
80- Cardiovascular or heart disease
40- Significant mobility impairment, benefiting from the utilization of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
81- Depression, anxiety disorder, or other psychiatric disorder
83- Blood diseases, for example, sickle cell anemia,
hemophilia
60- Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
84- Diabetes
82- Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
85- Orthopedic impairments or osteo-arthritis
90- Intellectual disability
86- Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example,
91- Significant Psychiatric Disorder, for example, bipolar
tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, or major depression
87- Kidney dysfunction
92- Dwarfism 93- Significant disfigurement, for example, disfigurements caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
88- Cancer (present or past history)
94- Learning disability or attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADD/ADHD)
95- Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, celiac disease, dysphexia
96- Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia,
Other Options:
rheumatoid arthritis
97- Liver disease, for example, hepatitis or cirrhosis
01- I do not wish to identify my disability or serious
health condition.
98- History of alcoholism or history of drug addiction (but not currently using illegal drugs)
05- I do not have a disability or serious health condition.
99- Endocrine disorder, for example, thyroid dysfunction
06- I have a disability or serious health condition, but it
is not listed on this form.

Thank you. Now from reading the first Jan 22 OPM memo, it requires full time telework unless approved by agency head and supervisor. Then this updated guidance states the certification is only needed for “other compelling need”. So this means I have a disability or qualifying medical condition and do not need approval to telework? I can continue to telework? Hurray. OPM such idiots…

The medical condition list is very generous and I will pursue this coa.

Everyone has ADHD. That should be enough.

Depression/anxiety. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clarification on OPM website indicates situational telework will be only for weather and emergencies declared by the agency.

So I guess that means ANY time I have a doctor's appointment, or one of my kids does, I'll be taking an entire day of SL? Is that even allowed? I've heard some policies saying you can't take more than a half day. But the last train into DC leaves from my city at 7 AM, and I'm sure not buying a second car just to drive an hour to the end of a metro line after appointments.

Cn you please provide a link? I looked but wasn't able to find this. THank you.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USOPM/bulletins/3ce821e

Any idea what this means?


“ Agency heads and employee supervisors are only required to certify telework for “other compelling reasons” for an employee not working full time at the duty station. No such certification is required for an employee disability or qualifying medical condition outside of their agency’s reasonable accommodation procedures. “

I was wondering the same. Who is writing this crap?

AI

AI is more coherent. This was written by 25 year olds raised on Logan Paul videos.

You got that right. This OPM mf writing makes no sense. Anyone have any ideas or examples of qualifying medical condition? I have high cholesterol and prediabetic.

From OPM’s SELF-IDENTIFICATION OF DISABILITY form


02- Developmental Disability, for example, autism
13- Speech impairment
spectrum disorder
41- Spinal abnormalities, for example, spina bifida or scoliosis
03- Traumatic Brain Injury
19- Deaf or serious difficulty hearing, benefiting from,
44- Non-paralytic orthopedic impairments, for example, chronic pain, stiffness, weakness in bones or joints, some loss of ability to use part or parts of the body
for example, American Sign Language, CART, hearing aids, a cochlear implant and/or other supports
51- HIV Positive/AIDS
52- Morbid obesity
20- Blind or serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses
59- Nervous system disorder for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis
31- Missing extremities (arm, leg, hand and/or foot)
80- Cardiovascular or heart disease
40- Significant mobility impairment, benefiting from the utilization of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
81- Depression, anxiety disorder, or other psychiatric disorder
83- Blood diseases, for example, sickle cell anemia,
hemophilia
60- Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
84- Diabetes
82- Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
85- Orthopedic impairments or osteo-arthritis
90- Intellectual disability
86- Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example,
91- Significant Psychiatric Disorder, for example, bipolar
tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, or major depression
87- Kidney dysfunction
92- Dwarfism 93- Significant disfigurement, for example, disfigurements caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
88- Cancer (present or past history)
94- Learning disability or attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADD/ADHD)
95- Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, celiac disease, dysphexia
96- Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia,
Other Options:
rheumatoid arthritis
97- Liver disease, for example, hepatitis or cirrhosis
01- I do not wish to identify my disability or serious
health condition.
98- History of alcoholism or history of drug addiction (but not currently using illegal drugs)
05- I do not have a disability or serious health condition.
99- Endocrine disorder, for example, thyroid dysfunction
06- I have a disability or serious health condition, but it
is not listed on this form.

Thank you. Now from reading the first Jan 22 OPM memo, it requires full time telework unless approved by agency head and supervisor. Then this updated guidance states the certification is only needed for “other compelling need”. So this means I have a disability or qualifying medical condition and do not need approval to telework? I can continue to telework? Hurray. OPM such idiots…

The medical condition list is very generous and I will pursue this coa.

Everyone has ADHD. That should be enough.

Depression/anxiety. Done.

LOLOL I certainly have anxiety right now

[Anonymous]

Everyone has ADHD. That should be enough.

Depression/anxiety. Done.

LOLOL I certainly have anxiety right now

Nooooo, don’t say that or MAGA and DOGE have won!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What bothers me the most about all of this, even more than being called back into the office is the way the OPM memo was worded. And the fact that our senior leaders sent it out unchanged. It is cold, rude, callous and untrue. I feel let down by our senior managers when a month ago I would have said they were the absolute best. That memo read like a high schooler wrote it. And it was factually untrue! My entire office is in person 50% and they are talking about how our building is abandoned and no one is working. I don’t want fluffy language but that memo was a disgrace. Never in my 20 years as a Fed have I had such a nasty memo sent to me. If our senior leaders (feds!) want to send more like this, they can be guaranteed that they’ve lost the heart of their workforce. We all thought we’d be returning to the office but it’s an embarrassment how this is being handled.

Frankly they should be using a scalpel to get rid of bad apples instead of this bulldozer. Give us managers better options to fire or manage our employees. Fire people who are only “fully successful” on their performance evals. Going into the office isn’t going to get rid of bad apples.

Absolutely this. The fact that our agency head sent out the template word for word made me incredibly disheartened. She signed her name to something malicious and untrue. She could have sent out the same idea in a more professional, factual manner; instead she chose to bend the knee. It sucks.

Viewed in a more positive light, she wanted to pass along the message that she was forced to send the email, and didn't want anyone to think she endorsed it by putting it in her own words. Also, that she thought her employees were smart enough understand this, and didn't need to be coddled. I suppose she overestimated at least some of you on that last bit.

[Anonymous]

Anyone remember the Simpson’s episode where Homer becomes (even more) morbidly obese on purpose just so he can claim disability and work from home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What bothers me the most about all of this, even more than being called back into the office is the way the OPM memo was worded. And the fact that our senior leaders sent it out unchanged. It is cold, rude, callous and untrue. I feel let down by our senior managers when a month ago I would have said they were the absolute best. That memo read like a high schooler wrote it. And it was factually untrue! My entire office is in person 50% and they are talking about how our building is abandoned and no one is working. I don’t want fluffy language but that memo was a disgrace. Never in my 20 years as a Fed have I had such a nasty memo sent to me. If our senior leaders (feds!) want to send more like this, they can be guaranteed that they’ve lost the heart of their workforce. We all thought we’d be returning to the office but it’s an embarrassment how this is being handled.

Frankly they should be using a scalpel to get rid of bad apples instead of this bulldozer. Give us managers better options to fire or manage our employees. Fire people who are only “fully successful” on their performance evals. Going into the office isn’t going to get rid of bad apples.

Absolutely this. The fact that our agency head sent out the template word for word made me incredibly disheartened. She signed her name to something malicious and untrue. She could have sent out the same idea in a more professional, factual manner; instead she chose to bend the knee. It sucks.

Viewed in a more positive light, she wanted to pass along the message that she was forced to send the email, and didn't want anyone to think she endorsed it by putting it in her own words. Also, that she thought her employees were smart enough understand this, and didn't need to be coddled. I suppose she overestimated at least some of you on that last bit.

DP. She didn't need to sign her name to it then. She could have just said it was from OPM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone remember the Simpson’s episode where Homer becomes (even more) morbidly obese on purpose just so he can claim disability and work from home?

Wasn't it like 300 lbs? How times have changed.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sad. My son’s bff is likely going to have to move because of this. Mom is fed and dad has a job that he commutes to out of state a few days a week and they were hanging on since she has flexibility but now without the flexibility they’ll prob move to be closer to the dad’s job. My son will be crushed but what can I do. This is having a ripple effect and hurting people in so many ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so sad. My son’s bff is likely going to have to move because of this. Mom is fed and dad has a job that he commutes to out of state a few days a week and they were hanging on since she has flexibility but now without the flexibility they’ll prob move to be closer to the dad’s job. My son will be crushed but what can I do. This is having a ripple effect and hurting people in so many ways.

I know you mean well but this sounds so tone-deaf to me. Losing a childhood friendship is hard, but people are facing much harder losses with this and the other EOs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so sad. My son’s bff is likely going to have to move because of this. Mom is fed and dad has a job that he commutes to out of state a few days a week and they were hanging on since she has flexibility but now without the flexibility they’ll prob move to be closer to the dad’s job. My son will be crushed but what can I do. This is having a ripple effect and hurting people in so many ways.

I know you mean well but this sounds so tone-deaf to me. Losing a childhood friendship is hard, but people are facing much harder losses with this and the other EOs.

Seriously. Life happens. The number of feds who feel entitled to have things just so is shocking to me (a non-teleworking fed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so sad. My son’s bff is likely going to have to move because of this. Mom is fed and dad has a job that he commutes to out of state a few days a week and they were hanging on since she has flexibility but now without the flexibility they’ll prob move to be closer to the dad’s job. My son will be crushed but what can I do. This is having a ripple effect and hurting people in so many ways.

I know you mean well but this sounds so tone-deaf to me. Losing a childhood friendship is hard, but people are facing much harder losses with this and the other EOs.

Seriously. Life happens. The number of feds who feel entitled to have things just so is shocking to me (a non-teleworking fed).

You can be sad and understanding that life happens at the same time. PP didn't sound entitled to me. Lay off.

[Anonymous]

So, if I understand correctly, this means that President Trump will have to move from Mar A Lago to Wash DC ????