Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 21:35     Subject: Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
End of remote work at the Board?

https://chcoc.gov/sites/default/files/OPM%20Return%20to%20Office%20Memorandum%201-22-2025.pdf
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 21:29     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The initial RIF is for the employees working on DEI, but it will likely be followed with additional RIFs as the DOGE is focusing on VA for big cuts as one of the largest agencies.


Okay, so no source for any planned RIF at the Board? Seeing as this is a thread for attorney advisors at the Board, this would be the main concern.


Source

https://www.chcoc.gov/content/initial-guidance-regarding-deia-executive-orders
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 21:22     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:The initial RIF is for the employees working on DEI, but it will likely be followed with additional RIFs as the DOGE is focusing on VA for big cuts as one of the largest agencies.


Okay, so no source for any planned RIF at the Board? Seeing as this is a thread for attorney advisors at the Board, this would be the main concern.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 21:14     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
The initial RIF is for the employees working on DEI, but it will likely be followed with additional RIFs as the DOGE is focusing on VA for big cuts as one of the largest agencies.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 20:58     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:So the hiring freeze clearly does apply to VA. . Sorry to hear they yanked your offer.

VA fired anyone working with diversity programs today, and the acting secretary ordered us to report anyone involved in those programs who may still be working at VA or participating in programs that promote a similar ideology. If we don’t report, we might get fired ourselves.

They are also starting a Reduction in Force (RIF) for layoffs.


Layoffs for the Board or VA generally? Source?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 19:50     Subject: Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Well my offer from the BVA was just rescinded...Good luck to all of you!


What was your proposed start date? What did they say?


Proposed start date was the end of February. This morning HR asked if I could start earlier and I said absolutely, but then came back withdrawing/rescinding offer because final job offer not sent to me or signed. I am hopefully back in the running when the hiring freeze melts. Otherwise we are healthy and happy.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 19:17     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
So the hiring freeze clearly does apply to VA. . Sorry to hear they yanked your offer.

VA fired anyone working with diversity programs today, and the acting secretary ordered us to report anyone involved in those programs who may still be working at VA or participating in programs that promote a similar ideology. If we don’t report, we might get fired ourselves.

They are also starting a Reduction in Force (RIF) for layoffs.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 18:42     Subject: Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:Well my offer from the BVA was just rescinded...Good luck to all of you!


I'm sorry!
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 18:25     Subject: Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:Well my offer from the BVA was just rescinded...Good luck to all of you!


What was your proposed start date? What did they say?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 16:34     Subject: Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Well my offer from the BVA was just rescinded...Good luck to all of you!
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 07:47     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There may be a hiring freeze soon, and a freeze may impact job offers. First year hires also have to serve a probationary period where they can fired easily. I wouldn’t quit any current jobs with protections in the expectation that an offer will result in stable employment.

Telework and remote work are also likely going away if you plan to work remote.


VA is exempt from the hiring freeze, and remote work is not going away.



Telework and remote work are cancelled unless the incoming Secretary makes an exception for the Board. It is not clear whether he will or not.

VA is not explicitly exempt from the hiring freeze. The executive order just leaves room for exceptions.

Hopefully we get some emails from the higher-ups clarifying what they’re going to do soon.


We don't have the space for all of the Board employees to be working full-time at Board HQ at 425 Eye Street. That will have to be addressed if they expect everyone to come back ( or come to work in DC for the first time in some cases of remote workers).
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 06:51     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There may be a hiring freeze soon, and a freeze may impact job offers. First year hires also have to serve a probationary period where they can fired easily. I wouldn’t quit any current jobs with protections in the expectation that an offer will result in stable employment.

Telework and remote work are also likely going away if you plan to work remote.


VA is exempt from the hiring freeze, and remote work is not going away.



Telework and remote work are cancelled unless the incoming Secretary makes an exception for the Board. It is not clear whether he will or not.

VA is not explicitly exempt from the hiring freeze. The executive order just leaves room for exceptions.

Hopefully we get some emails from the higher-ups clarifying what they’re going to do soon.


I think it’s pretty clear that VA is exempt from the hiring freeze.

I also think that once the new secretary looks into it, remote / telework at the Board will be exempt.




Doubtful, DHS is exempt from the hiring freeze but ordered an end to remote work and telework.


oh okay. and DHS impacts VA (and specifically the Board, which is what this thread is about) how?


Also, in your research regarding DHS, did you read the Acting Secretary's memo? If you did you would see the giant texas sized loophole he put in there about LACK OF OFFICE SPACE being a reason that people may not return to work.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2025 06:49     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There may be a hiring freeze soon, and a freeze may impact job offers. First year hires also have to serve a probationary period where they can fired easily. I wouldn’t quit any current jobs with protections in the expectation that an offer will result in stable employment.

Telework and remote work are also likely going away if you plan to work remote.


VA is exempt from the hiring freeze, and remote work is not going away.



Telework and remote work are cancelled unless the incoming Secretary makes an exception for the Board. It is not clear whether he will or not.

VA is not explicitly exempt from the hiring freeze. The executive order just leaves room for exceptions.

Hopefully we get some emails from the higher-ups clarifying what they’re going to do soon.


I think it’s pretty clear that VA is exempt from the hiring freeze.

I also think that once the new secretary looks into it, remote / telework at the Board will be exempt.




Doubtful, DHS is exempt from the hiring freeze but ordered an end to remote work and telework.


oh okay. and DHS impacts VA (and specifically the Board, which is what this thread is about) how?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2025 16:45     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There may be a hiring freeze soon, and a freeze may impact job offers. First year hires also have to serve a probationary period where they can fired easily. I wouldn’t quit any current jobs with protections in the expectation that an offer will result in stable employment.

Telework and remote work are also likely going away if you plan to work remote.


VA is exempt from the hiring freeze, and remote work is not going away.



Telework and remote work are cancelled unless the incoming Secretary makes an exception for the Board. It is not clear whether he will or not.

VA is not explicitly exempt from the hiring freeze. The executive order just leaves room for exceptions.

Hopefully we get some emails from the higher-ups clarifying what they’re going to do soon.


I think it’s pretty clear that VA is exempt from the hiring freeze.

I also think that once the new secretary looks into it, remote / telework at the Board will be exempt.




Doubtful, DHS is exempt from the hiring freeze but ordered an end to remote work and telework.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2025 16:42     Subject: Re:Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There may be a hiring freeze soon, and a freeze may impact job offers. First year hires also have to serve a probationary period where they can fired easily. I wouldn’t quit any current jobs with protections in the expectation that an offer will result in stable employment.

Telework and remote work are also likely going away if you plan to work remote.


VA is exempt from the hiring freeze, and remote work is not going away.



Telework and remote work are cancelled unless the incoming Secretary makes an exception for the Board. It is not clear whether he will or not.

VA is not explicitly exempt from the hiring freeze. The executive order just leaves room for exceptions.

Hopefully we get some emails from the higher-ups clarifying what they’re going to do soon.


I think it’s pretty clear that VA is exempt from the hiring freeze.

I also think that once the new secretary looks into it, remote / telework at the Board will be exempt.




Given the high attrition rate, the Board definitely needs to be exempt from the hiring freeze and RTO mandate.