Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

I’ve been in for a month+ by now. It’s not great, but let’s not pretend it’s horrific either.

And no, I am not kidless and/or living in NOMA. I have one elementary school and one middle and have nearly an hour commute.

People need to keep some perspective here.

+1. I thought it was fine too. I'm not saying it was soooo great or that I'd rather RTO than telework. But IDK it was doable and yes I have a commute too; kids are older so that likely makes it easier as they were still at activities when I got home daily and they are old enough that they do not want mom and dad at every practice anyway so I didn't feel like I missed anything.

I wouldn’t say it was no dig deal. I can do this for now. I have kids, two elementary. Finding care for longer hours with such short notice was a challenge and we had to cobble together coverage. We don’t always make sports practices that are earlier in the day like we used to. That may change for the next school year and beyond as we pivot to other things that work for our schedule.

Ask me again in 6 months, or a year and I might feel differently about whether it will drive me to look elsewhere. It is a slog. I also think it is a benefit that set us apart from private industry, especially now that so many are doing RTO. If RTO stays for the long haul, that might make it harder to compete for talent when we finally do hire at some point someday.

+1 on the difficulty of finding childcare for elementary school kids being really hard on such short notice in the middle of the school year. They could have done this starting end of the school year where people have summer camps scheduled and they could get in line early for after care options. I get it though, they really want people to quit.

So what did you do with elementary school kids before hand?

They presumably get home around 3:30. So did you just work the last couple of hours of your day with them home? (With school starting around 9, you presumably couldn’t start too early.)

If you and a spouse are both Feds and now both had to RTO, I can see where a problem arises because you could have previously staggered and had one person work early and do after school and the other do before school and work later.

But otherwise, you were spending the last couple of hours doing both child care and work, which you aren’t supposed to do, and which is part of what gives WFH a bad name. (Cue chorus of everyone who chimes in saying their Petunia, although only 7, doesn’t need any supervision and doesn’t distract from work at all.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

The worst part is the noise from other people. It's so, so loud even with doors shut.

I agree- I have been back since March and it is weird how distracting the noise is- I was so used to working alone in my home. I listen to podcasts with my AirPods 😄

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

The worst part is the noise from other people. It's so, so loud even with doors shut.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

I’ve been in for a month+ by now. It’s not great, but let’s not pretend it’s horrific either.

And no, I am not kidless and/or living in NOMA. I have one elementary school and one middle and have nearly an hour commute.

People need to keep some perspective here.

+1. I thought it was fine too. I'm not saying it was soooo great or that I'd rather RTO than telework. But IDK it was doable and yes I have a commute too; kids are older so that likely makes it easier as they were still at activities when I got home daily and they are old enough that they do not want mom and dad at every practice anyway so I didn't feel like I missed anything.

I wouldn’t say it was no dig deal. I can do this for now. I have kids, two elementary. Finding care for longer hours with such short notice was a challenge and we had to cobble together coverage. We don’t always make sports practices that are earlier in the day like we used to. That may change for the next school year and beyond as we pivot to other things that work for our schedule.

Ask me again in 6 months, or a year and I might feel differently about whether it will drive me to look elsewhere. It is a slog. I also think it is a benefit that set us apart from private industry, especially now that so many are doing RTO. If RTO stays for the long haul, that might make it harder to compete for talent when we finally do hire at some point someday.

lol on competing with private industry. Why on earth would anyone ever choose this over private industry again? Ever. Less pay, equivalent job security, less flexibility, less respect, etc.

And if things ever went back to normal, it could be taken away again anytime in 30 days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

I’ve been in for a month+ by now. It’s not great, but let’s not pretend it’s horrific either.

And no, I am not kidless and/or living in NOMA. I have one elementary school and one middle and have nearly an hour commute.

People need to keep some perspective here.

+1. I thought it was fine too. I'm not saying it was soooo great or that I'd rather RTO than telework. But IDK it was doable and yes I have a commute too; kids are older so that likely makes it easier as they were still at activities when I got home daily and they are old enough that they do not want mom and dad at every practice anyway so I didn't feel like I missed anything.

I wouldn’t say it was no dig deal. I can do this for now. I have kids, two elementary. Finding care for longer hours with such short notice was a challenge and we had to cobble together coverage. We don’t always make sports practices that are earlier in the day like we used to. That may change for the next school year and beyond as we pivot to other things that work for our schedule.

Ask me again in 6 months, or a year and I might feel differently about whether it will drive me to look elsewhere. It is a slog. I also think it is a benefit that set us apart from private industry, especially now that so many are doing RTO. If RTO stays for the long haul, that might make it harder to compete for talent when we finally do hire at some point someday.

+1 on the difficulty of finding childcare for elementary school kids being really hard on such short notice in the middle of the school year. They could have done this starting end of the school year where people have summer camps scheduled and they could get in line early for after care options. I get it though, they really want people to quit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

I’ve been in for a month+ by now. It’s not great, but let’s not pretend it’s horrific either.

And no, I am not kidless and/or living in NOMA. I have one elementary school and one middle and have nearly an hour commute.

People need to keep some perspective here.

+1. I thought it was fine too. I'm not saying it was soooo great or that I'd rather RTO than telework. But IDK it was doable and yes I have a commute too; kids are older so that likely makes it easier as they were still at activities when I got home daily and they are old enough that they do not want mom and dad at every practice anyway so I didn't feel like I missed anything.

I wouldn’t say it was no dig deal. I can do this for now. I have kids, two elementary. Finding care for longer hours with such short notice was a challenge and we had to cobble together coverage. We don’t always make sports practices that are earlier in the day like we used to. That may change for the next school year and beyond as we pivot to other things that work for our schedule.

Ask me again in 6 months, or a year and I might feel differently about whether it will drive me to look elsewhere. It is a slog. I also think it is a benefit that set us apart from private industry, especially now that so many are doing RTO. If RTO stays for the long haul, that might make it harder to compete for talent when we finally do hire at some point someday.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

I’ve been in for a month+ by now. It’s not great, but let’s not pretend it’s horrific either.

And no, I am not kidless and/or living in NOMA. I have one elementary school and one middle and have nearly an hour commute.

People need to keep some perspective here.

+1. I thought it was fine too. I'm not saying it was soooo great or that I'd rather RTO than telework. But IDK it was doable and yes I have a commute too; kids are older so that likely makes it easier as they were still at activities when I got home daily and they are old enough that they do not want mom and dad at every practice anyway so I didn't feel like I missed anything.

Anonymous wrote:So how was the week for everyone - besides the spring breakers?

Horrible? Can you keep doing it as long as you need to - like you get a new job, get old enough for a VERA etc? Anyone thinking of just quitting w no job? Or was it NBD?

I’ve been in for a month+ by now. It’s not great, but let’s not pretend it’s horrific either.

And no, I am not kidless and/or living in NOMA. I have one elementary school and one middle and have nearly an hour commute.

People need to keep some perspective here.

It was bearable. Not great.
Morale is LOW.
Many of us would now take a VERA. either becuase we come eligible in next few months or because RTO sucks worse than we expected.

I hope they offer it again. Some think
Yes, some think no.

How many agencies to date have announced RIFs? 8? Out of 450? Yet the SEC would be “special” for not doing any, after losing 15 pct of its workforce in 2 months?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the word on the possibility of a RIF? I heard it won't happen but I keep asking myself why SEC would be special in that scenario and can't come up with an answer that gives me comfort.

I think we had heard they wouldn't happen bc there were so many takers of VERA/VSIP. They had to submit a RIF plan and were kind of confident that the 14-15% reduction with VERA/VSIP was enough. IDK now though bc the eerie silence makes me feel like that plan maybe wasn't accepted and they are coming up with RIFs even if a small number, regional offices, whatever. Just to say yes we did lay off people too. I think this even more as I heard from ADs this week of a second potential VERA/VSIP. I feel like they'd offer that more of a - take this bc if you don't, be ready for RIFs.

This is silly for three reasons. First, only a small handful of agencies (out of more than 450) have even experienced RIFs. And those agencies that have were always hated by project 2025. So the notion that the SEC is “special” fit not doing one is idiotic.

Second, those most able to take VERA would be most protected from a RIF, so threatening a RIF if you don’t take VERA is dumb.

Third, it OMB has a magic number in mind, why don’t they just freakin announce it? What’s the point of the secrecy and games?

You're presuming a lot of logic that existed years ago but does not in this administration. And no the VERA people wouldn't be in line for RIFs but this time would be more about VSIP. YMMV but in my group lots of people in their 40s who a few weeks ago were like no not taking VSIP/it isn't enough money are now saying, I'd take it and just scramble for any job etc. Obviously these are people who aren't primary breadearners, people whose working spouses make equivalent money and can handle it financially if the job search takes 6 months etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the word on the possibility of a RIF? I heard it won't happen but I keep asking myself why SEC would be special in that scenario and can't come up with an answer that gives me comfort.

I think we had heard they wouldn't happen bc there were so many takers of VERA/VSIP. They had to submit a RIF plan and were kind of confident that the 14-15% reduction with VERA/VSIP was enough. IDK now though bc the eerie silence makes me feel like that plan maybe wasn't accepted and they are coming up with RIFs even if a small number, regional offices, whatever. Just to say yes we did lay off people too. I think this even more as I heard from ADs this week of a second potential VERA/VSIP. I feel like they'd offer that more of a - take this bc if you don't, be ready for RIFs.

This is silly for three reasons. First, only a small handful of agencies (out of more than 450) have even experienced RIFs. And those agencies that have were always hated by project 2025. So the notion that the SEC is “special” fit not doing one is idiotic.

Second, those most able to take VERA would be most protected from a RIF, so threatening a RIF if you don’t take VERA is dumb.

Third, it OMB has a magic number in mind, why don’t they just freakin announce it? What’s the point of the secrecy and games?

Mental health days can be sick leave, no? Mental health is health isn't it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn't a big deal for me but was for many as I was the only staff person in my group who didn't take Friday off. Granted it was Good Friday + spring break but many of the people who took off observe neither and just needed out by Thursday.

I have plenty of annual leave so will be using it flexibly as well. Already thinking a Friday off maybe every 2-3 weeks just for errand running etc. so I'm not dealing with Costco etc. on Saturday [no I was not doing this during WFH but when you're at home all day going out to run errands at 6 or 8 pm is NBD; after being out of the house close to 50 hrs last week, it wasn't going to happen.]

Don't forget to use some of your sick leave too, it doesn't get paid out if you leave. A little headache probably best to take the day off and recover.

Yes though if you're doing this, I'd be careful not to do this ONLY on Fridays. I can see them getting nitpicky if someone is taking sick leave every other Friday. I get the desire to make a long weekend but do it on Mondays sometimes too. Or if you are ok without a long weekend and just need a mental health day to spend running from Costco to the car servicing place, pick Tuesday/Wed/Thurs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn't a big deal for me but was for many as I was the only staff person in my group who didn't take Friday off. Granted it was Good Friday + spring break but many of the people who took off observe neither and just needed out by Thursday.

I have plenty of annual leave so will be using it flexibly as well. Already thinking a Friday off maybe every 2-3 weeks just for errand running etc. so I'm not dealing with Costco etc. on Saturday [no I was not doing this during WFH but when you're at home all day going out to run errands at 6 or 8 pm is NBD; after being out of the house close to 50 hrs last week, it wasn't going to happen.]

Don't forget to use some of your sick leave too, it doesn't get paid out if you leave. A little headache probably best to take the day off and recover.

Sorry for TMI but ladies - sick leave for some of the worst days of the month?

Ha yes. Though claiming a headache/self dr appt/kid dr appt/whatever so as not to get weirdly personal at work.