Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

I booked my and my kid's dental appointments 6 months ago, before we had an RTO date. I didn't plan it to coincide with the first week of RTO.

I have been trying to get all my medical stuff done while I still have insurance, so maybe appointments are a bit denser in my calendar than they might be, but there's also illness, car trouble, school music performance ... I don't control those dates, and I am taking a half day or full day for each.

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

It’s not a game. When you can’t telework, it’s hard to fit in appointments. Two things:

(1) under the CBA, we needed to complete our work hours between 5:30 am and midnight (I might be wrong about the exact times). So you could take two hours out of your day to take your kid to an appointment locally and make up that time by working earlier or later than usual.
(2) it was easy before to take just an hour or two for an appointment. For example, my dentist is a few mins from my house so I could make an appointment and only take 1.5 hours of leave. Same with the dermatologist, eye doctor, etc. I also had a 8-4:30 schedule so I would do a lot of my kids appointments in the early evening. With a long commute I just can’t do that anymore.

It is not a game, it’s the result of senseless policy. And your colleagues don’t need your judgment when they’re using their earned leave for exactly what it’s meant for.

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

People aren’t playing games if they are using leave. If they are teleworking around appointments, I still wouldn’t call it playing games (assuming the medical appointments are legit), but then you are getting into a greyer area of what/how much is allowed, and it wouldn’t be crazy to be conservative for the moment.

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

Between me and my three kids we have something almost every week. DH and I try to split but even then it is a lot. Two in braces. One in physical therapy from a sports injury. Dentist. Ob/gyn.

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

I don't see why you doubt that interview timeline. Screening interview and then a substantive interview usually within a week later can be just one job.

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

Bit creepy that you know your colleagues’ medical appt schedules. When someone in my group is out, nobody knows (or cares) why — including managers.

Does it seem like tons of people in your groups are already taking time off? Not even counting the people on spring break last week, seems like everyone has a doctors appointment Friday, kid Dr appointment Monday etc. Granted some of this could be code for job interviews but I kind of doubt that people have 2-3 interviews in a ten day span. Am I the only one not playing this game? I def planned to take time off just thought I’d get thru a few full weeks first though now I’m like why exactly?

Anonymous wrote:This agency sucks now.

What are you talking about?? PA is here to boost morale. Plus, it’s Admin Professionals Day coming up!! And they’re finally asking for staff’s input on improving efficiencies (as if that opportunity hadn’t already existed for 22 years through the OIG).

It’s a splendid time!

This agency sucks now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m definitely responding with telework. I dont care if it isnt anonymous. It is the truth that I am more efficient when allowed to telework on a regular schedule. The next two months I am taking three days off because of doctors appointments. With telework I could easily work almost a full day. But I just won’t be bothered. I will take sick leave and use credit hours.

Plus, the amount of distraction with people stopping by my office constantly is enormous. That will wane somewhat but will still be very distracting — and less efficient.

I’m not going to be an ass about it. But they asked and I will tell.

+1. I know not many of us will do it because people are scared but yeah I'm saying TW as well. I don't care if it isn't anonymous.

Not scared but I think it's a complete waste of time. If anything they will just get enjoyment knowing they are making you squirm. It's not like they aren't aware of the points you're making, it's literally the guidance they are giving us about, for example, taking the whole day off instead of teleworking.

Atkins is in, guess the fun starts now.

Anonymous wrote:I’m definitely responding with telework. I dont care if it isnt anonymous. It is the truth that I am more efficient when allowed to telework on a regular schedule. The next two months I am taking three days off because of doctors appointments. With telework I could easily work almost a full day. But I just won’t be bothered. I will take sick leave and use credit hours.

Plus, the amount of distraction with people stopping by my office constantly is enormous. That will wane somewhat but will still be very distracting — and less efficient.

I’m not going to be an ass about it. But they asked and I will tell.

+1. I know not many of us will do it because people are scared but yeah I'm saying TW as well. I don't care if it isn't anonymous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the form will be used as a means to fire people in my view. i don’t believe doge is trying to help the agency

Doge is gonna Doge. If they wanted to fire us, they would. They don’t need a form. Heck, I’m sure they could fire half the staff using email surveillance alone. That’s an exaggeration but you get the idea.

Uh what do you think staff is doing on email that's so fireable? I highly doubt anyone is sending anything to the outside. Frankly many people aren't even scrolling the internet much on their work laptop - they use their personal phones for that.

Yep, got it. If someone is going fire staff for making a suggestion, they will find something in an email. If not that then the time your computer is idle. Or monitoring badge swipes for schedule and time compliance. And so on.

Just making the point that where there is a will, there is a way. They don’t need a suggestion form.

Ah yes that I agree with. Hell they'll fire you for wearing the wrong color shirt if they're in the mood. It's only been a few days but my group is operating under the assumption that they ARE monitoring badge swipes to make sure everyone is in for whatever number of hours they're supposed to be. IDK if there's any confirmation but everyone assumes it esp with the new badge readers. My group is going so far as to be like don't leave the building for more than 30 min at all etc. Can't say I care that deeply. If I walk some place to get lunch and am just outside of my windowless box and it takes 41 minutes instead of 30 min, it is what it is and no I'm not staying 11 extra minutes. They can do what they wish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the form will be used as a means to fire people in my view. i don’t believe doge is trying to help the agency

Doge is gonna Doge. If they wanted to fire us, they would. They don’t need a form. Heck, I’m sure they could fire half the staff using email surveillance alone. That’s an exaggeration but you get the idea.

Uh what do you think staff is doing on email that's so fireable? I highly doubt anyone is sending anything to the outside. Frankly many people aren't even scrolling the internet much on their work laptop - they use their personal phones for that.

Yep, got it. If someone is going fire staff for making a suggestion, they will find something in an email. If not that then the time your computer is idle. Or monitoring badge swipes for schedule and time compliance. And so on.

Just making the point that where there is a will, there is a way. They don’t need a suggestion form.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the form will be used as a means to fire people in my view. i don’t believe doge is trying to help the agency

Doge is gonna Doge. If they wanted to fire us, they would. They don’t need a form. Heck, I’m sure they could fire half the staff using email surveillance alone. That’s an exaggeration but you get the idea.

Uh what do you think staff is doing on email that's so fireable? I highly doubt anyone is sending anything to the outside. Frankly many people aren't even scrolling the internet much on their work laptop - they use their personal phones for that.

Anonymous wrote:the form will be used as a means to fire people in my view. i don’t believe doge is trying to help the agency

Doge is gonna Doge. If they wanted to fire us, they would. They don’t need a form. Heck, I’m sure they could fire half the staff using email surveillance alone. That’s an exaggeration but you get the idea.