Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I understand that people have good intentions by clapping for the laid off workers and posting the videos on social media, if I was one of the laid off people, I would greatly appreciate being able to exit quietly and not for the world to see.

To give that some context, that is like a tradition. We clapped people off the visa adjudication line after their last adjudication on their last day at Post frequently, and apparently it's done elsewhere in similar situations within the department as well.

Between the clapping and the hand made signs, it made State Department employees look like a bunch of hysterical theater kids.

They laid off 1,300 people. Thats less than 2% of a total workforce that had grown by 23,000 since 2007. It’s only a fraction of the employees that have been added since 2015. I think the agency will survive.

As of Sept. 2024, there were:
12,831 CS employees (mostly domestic)
14,399 FS employees (mostly overseas)
50,703 Local Staff employees (foreign nationals, all overseas)
2,281 Family Member employees (spouses, all overseas)

This RIF was domestic based, focusing on 1,107 Civil Service, which is almost 10% of that category. Another roughly 5% of Civil Service took the DRP. Between Civil Service and Foreign Service, State is already a fairly lean agency, so these cuts will likely disrupt some important functions that employees overseas rely on, such as receiving timely travel orders.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I understand that people have good intentions by clapping for the laid off workers and posting the videos on social media, if I was one of the laid off people, I would greatly appreciate being able to exit quietly and not for the world to see.

To give that some context, that is like a tradition. We clapped people off the visa adjudication line after their last adjudication on their last day at Post frequently, and apparently it's done elsewhere in similar situations within the department as well.

May be but the clap outs happened at other agencies too. While I appreciate the support, I took a back exit to avoid it myself a few months ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

DP. Just like with all of these RIFs, it doesn’t matter to them about the quality of employees.

You think the management at State wouldn’t prefer to discharge the lowest performing employees first? Ask the union why they can’t do that.

This administration doesn’t GAF what the unions say. But they can in fact use performance as a factor in a RIF if they really want to go through the process.

+1. Gotta love that other PP that somehow thinks unions can prevent poor performers from being fired. The administration is straight out not even recognizing the existence of the unions at a number of places and has steamrolled over the CBAs at others.

I’ve been a fed. I *know* for a fact they protect poor performers from being fired. Of course they have to fight the union either way. However, it is easier to win on an across the board RIF than fight the Unions on each bad employee individually.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I understand that people have good intentions by clapping for the laid off workers and posting the videos on social media, if I was one of the laid off people, I would greatly appreciate being able to exit quietly and not for the world to see.

To give that some context, that is like a tradition. We clapped people off the visa adjudication line after their last adjudication on their last day at Post frequently, and apparently it's done elsewhere in similar situations within the department as well.

Between the clapping and the hand made signs, it made State Department employees look like a bunch of hysterical theater kids.

They laid off 1,300 people. Thats less than 2% of a total workforce that had grown by 23,000 since 2007. It’s only a fraction of the employees that have been added since 2015. I think the agency will survive.

Anonymous wrote:While I understand that people have good intentions by clapping for the laid off workers and posting the videos on social media, if I was one of the laid off people, I would greatly appreciate being able to exit quietly and not for the world to see.

To give that some context, that is like a tradition. We clapped people off the visa adjudication line after their last adjudication on their last day at Post frequently, and apparently it's done elsewhere in similar situations within the department as well.

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

What can’t you believe?

It’s time to wake up Trump and his sycophants are destroying the economy, science, US constitution!

I hate to break it to you but 90% of Americans don't give a crap about any of this. They've all been through layoffs and firings and don't have any sympathy for the work or the people.

Welcome to what non feds have dealt with for decades.

Good luck finding jobs. Companies are hiring h1b’s or offshoring.

Well, most people actually aren't getting fired in the private sector because of stupid reasons - most people aren't fired if they are super effective employees who are fulfilling the mission (and certainly aren't targettted when they BECAUSE they are those people) -- and most of the time the person in charge isn't doing it gleefully and telling them they were so terrible all along. Most of the time the firings aren't because the big boss wants to decimate the industry they are in

Spoken like a true fed. Incredible how you work for taxpayers yet know…nothing? about the real world? Just terrifying.

I’m a lawyer that advises clients on Hr issues including layoffs. That poster is absolutely correct that generally when rifs are done it is to protect the mission of the organization, not to undermine it, and typically managers will fight to keep their most efficient productive workers or find them new spots. With the feds, there were definitely agencies where they targeted anyone who had accomplished anything over the past 4 years, meaning they kept only the bumps on the log who managed to do nothing year after year. So they threw out the wheat and kept the chaff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

What can’t you believe?

It’s time to wake up Trump and his sycophants are destroying the economy, science, US constitution!

I hate to break it to you but 90% of Americans don't give a crap about any of this. They've all been through layoffs and firings and don't have any sympathy for the work or the people.

Welcome to what non feds have dealt with for decades.

Good luck finding jobs. Companies are hiring h1b’s or offshoring.

Feds traded lower comp for job security. Now that security is gone, hiring will be much harder and attract candidates with less skills. Maybe that’s fine, they are cutting lots of govt functions, but everyone is looking for an exit and no Gen z will ever make a career in the Feds

I love how Feds keep repeating this but weep and wail like their life is over when they lose their job. Take that extremely valuable skill set to the private sector and make bank, bro!

what's your point? So your life has been filled with layoffs, so you can't have empathy for thousands of people who are losing their livelihood? For dedicating their skills in public service? Scientists, park rangers, nurses, state employees.. all gone for no reason. Some people consciously went into federal government knowing career stability was a given. So whats wrong with that? Also.. science funding has been slashed all over the place.. where do scientists go to make this "bank" you speak of.. get a life. I'm sorry to all the state employees... you do not deserve this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

DP. Just like with all of these RIFs, it doesn’t matter to them about the quality of employees.

You think the management at State wouldn’t prefer to discharge the lowest performing employees first? Ask the union why they can’t do that.

This administration doesn’t GAF what the unions say. But they can in fact use performance as a factor in a RIF if they really want to go through the process.

+1. Gotta love that other PP that somehow thinks unions can prevent poor performers from being fired. The administration is straight out not even recognizing the existence of the unions at a number of places and has steamrolled over the CBAs at others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

DP. Just like with all of these RIFs, it doesn’t matter to them about the quality of employees.

You think the management at State wouldn’t prefer to discharge the lowest performing employees first? Ask the union why they can’t do that.

This administration doesn’t GAF what the unions say. But they can in fact use performance as a factor in a RIF if they really want to go through the process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

Our sweet friends just had the second spouse laid off today. First spouse was laid off in round one at another agency. These are intelligent, hardworking, good people at a pretty advanced level in their area of expertise. They are devastated and heartbroken. They have two sweet teenagers.

First one yes (USAID), second one no.

While I understand that people have good intentions by clapping for the laid off workers and posting the videos on social media, if I was one of the laid off people, I would greatly appreciate being able to exit quietly and not for the world to see.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

What can’t you believe?

It’s time to wake up Trump and his sycophants are destroying the economy, science, US constitution!

I hate to break it to you but 90% of Americans don't give a crap about any of this. They've all been through layoffs and firings and don't have any sympathy for the work or the people.

Welcome to what non feds have dealt with for decades.

Good luck finding jobs. Companies are hiring h1b’s or offshoring.

Feds traded lower comp for job security. Now that security is gone, hiring will be much harder and attract candidates with less skills. Maybe that’s fine, they are cutting lots of govt functions, but everyone is looking for an exit and no Gen z will ever make a career in the Feds

I love how Feds keep repeating this but weep and wail like their life is over when they lose their job. Take that extremely valuable skill set to the private sector and make bank, bro!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

What can’t you believe?

It’s time to wake up Trump and his sycophants are destroying the economy, science, US constitution!

I hate to break it to you but 90% of Americans don't give a crap about any of this. They've all been through layoffs and firings and don't have any sympathy for the work or the people.

Welcome to what non feds have dealt with for decades.

Good luck finding jobs. Companies are hiring h1b’s or offshoring.

Well, most people actually aren't getting fired in the private sector because of stupid reasons - most people aren't fired if they are super effective employees who are fulfilling the mission (and certainly aren't targettted when they BECAUSE they are those people) -- and most of the time the person in charge isn't doing it gleefully and telling them they were so terrible all along. Most of the time the firings aren't because the big boss wants to decimate the industry they are in

Spoken like a true fed. Incredible how you work for taxpayers yet know…nothing? about the real world? Just terrifying.

Did those RIF’d who are VERA eligible get the early retirement option, so keep their earned benefits?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some pretty high level people got notices. They were great employees... it's nothing at all against their quality of work. Literally just happened to be in the wrong assignment at the wrong time, that's it. I know they will be a huge gain for whoever picks them up in their next endeavor.

BARF is this elon?

Curious, why does that sound like something Elon would write to you? I would think he would be quite the opposite. Anyway, I was trying to convey empathy. One person in particular who was RIF'd was truly amazing at what they did, which was managerial in a non-controversial Bureau. I really can't believe it.

What can’t you believe?

It’s time to wake up Trump and his sycophants are destroying the economy, science, US constitution!

I hate to break it to you but 90% of Americans don't give a crap about any of this. They've all been through layoffs and firings and don't have any sympathy for the work or the people.

Welcome to what non feds have dealt with for decades.

Good luck finding jobs. Companies are hiring h1b’s or offshoring.

Well, most people actually aren't getting fired in the private sector because of stupid reasons - most people aren't fired if they are super effective employees who are fulfilling the mission (and certainly aren't targettted when they BECAUSE they are those people) -- and most of the time the person in charge isn't doing it gleefully and telling them they were so terrible all along. Most of the time the firings aren't because the big boss wants to decimate the industry they are in