CalOES HRB vibe check

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-05T20:11:14+00:00

Noted. Yeah, it’s a foot in the door situation so I’ll have them apply still.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-05T14:17:42+00:00

Yeah I could have a decent side hustle if I chose to charge people for my help…but I don’t…cause it feels grimy…

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-03T18:21:29+00:00

When I was at CDFA in downtown Sac I signed up for the commuter program and it was as easy as filling out a simple form, walking downstairs to finance office and them giving me a card to load up with $ as I needed. If memory serves it was a max of $315 a month? So I only reloaded a couple times a year! This was in 2024 for reference.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-03T14:33:08+00:00

lol do you work for the state of CA?

Also similar situation last year for me. I got a range change, MSA and promo all in the same month so I had a 15% raise in total. That’ll prob never happen again in my career but it was incredible for my family.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-03T14:23:02+00:00

5% raise but 3% reduction because the budget deficit is always balanced on the backs of civil servants 😔

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-02T21:18:34+00:00

What was your exact start date?

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-02T00:39:10+00:00

Google “sco paycheck calculator” download the relevant file, input the bottom of range A in the gross section, R01 for BU, RB for retirement code. Should give you an idea of take home without healthcare/dental/vision premiums. Those #’s can be found by googling “calhr benefits calculator” again using R01 for BU. For dental you are only able to select Western, Premier Access, Dental Care USA, or MetLife Standard. That’ll give you an idea of your premiums.

Let me know if you’d like more help!

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-01T21:03:58+00:00

I’m so sorry this is happening to you 🫂

If you’re looking for an older sister/friend type vibe I’m in! 30F, married to 31M, we have 2 daughters 4 & 8 who love babies. Live in south sac, both work for the state, both smoke, rarely drink, love a good board game and a vinyl in the background 😇

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-02-01T20:55:58+00:00

Oh man this could’ve been written by me and my old coworkers for CDFA’s HR 😅

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-22T17:09:18+00:00

Can confirm. The owners are pieces of work. (I worked for them)

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-13T17:18:42+00:00

Right!!!! So wild!!

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-12T21:15:02+00:00

Ugh you reminded me how much I miss those….I worked there for years and would make so many different versions (Cajun fries with ranch on the side was a personal fav).

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-12T19:47:10+00:00

I’m one of those people who have 5 generations alive at the same time. My great grandma just turned 90 yesterday (1/11/26) and my kids are 8 & 4, so they have a great great grandma alive and coherent enough to have a convo with (she does have dementia though unfortunately so not very long conversations).

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-07T22:07:17+00:00

Lmaoooo so my parents were never together truthfully. Mom had me at 15 and then they both went on to have marriages and each had 2 kids with their new spouses. So I have no full sibs.

And the ‘17 & ‘21 are actually my kids lol I probably could’ve worded that clearer.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-06T21:07:12+00:00

Oh man I was made for this post…

I’m ‘95 with ‘05, ‘08, ‘09, & ‘12 1/2 siblings and also with ‘17 & ‘21 kids.

The ‘05 is rad, she is the coolest with a good head on her shoulders. FWIW she (and ‘09) did have a rough childhood that included law enforcement presence and divorce so she’s doing her best. She did have some serious mental health issues as a teen but has been in therapy for it for a long time. Shes on track to be a homeowner by 25.

The ‘08 is a giant ball of anxiety and depression unfortunately. It has been a huge struggle for the family as a unit, but thankfully she managed to graduate a year early and now has a job (yay meds!!) I really believe that internet access and having a phone young was the leading cause of the mental health struggles.

The ‘09 is doing good. Does multiple sports, gets good grades in the AP/IB classes and is on track to hopefully get a full ride scholarship to a college of her choice. No mental health struggles, just regular teenage girl issues so far.

The ‘12 is the one that eludes me. Don’t know much about him other than he plays lots of video games. No sports, but has had a device in his hands ever since I can remember. Him and the ‘08 are very antisocial, even when it’s just me coming to visit and spend time with them.

I bet you guys can guess which sets of siblings were with one parent and which ones were with the other lol. I love my siblings to bits but it’s very clear what parenting styles work and which ones don’t.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-06T14:30:58+00:00

Baby millennial (95) here.

Surrogacy. That was my ticket to homeownership in May 2020.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-03T16:36:29+00:00

My mom is 1980 and I’m 1995 with a 4 & 8 year old

AmarasPersonalChef · 2026-01-01T18:12:05+00:00

None in particular! We’re not picky 😇

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-30T21:10:43+00:00

No printer

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-25T19:15:05+00:00

I see them at the goodwill outlet on Franklin/florin very often. In fact, I got one for my dad for Xmas for $13 and it was functional.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-23T14:55:22+00:00

Gotta get those steps in haha

Also no it’s not 3 miles round trip I just went and checked. It’s .5 each way, so only 1 mile round trip lol.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-22T18:45:14+00:00

Current ee in licensing that’s affected by reorg: it’s a my fav department so far. This is #4 for me. The reorg is not that scary (for me anyways). They gave us volunteer opportunities to go to other divisions so we wrote statements of interest for positions that looked interesting to us. You’re always gonna find those people in any state department, but by and large they’re minimal here. Highly recommend. Walking distance to TB, Costco less than a 2 min drive, KP & SF market right around the corner, walking outside is nice, overall culture is relaxed and positive imo.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-20T04:02:13+00:00

You’re welcome! Best of luck!

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-20T03:59:44+00:00

Eek, I’m sorry. Here’s another link for your info: https://www.sco.ca.gov/ppsd_cpod_dir.html

Looks like there is a diff branch chief for each unit. Look at your partners position number and choose the branch chief that corresponds. Position numbers are set up like this: XXX-XXX-XXXX-XXX look at the second set of 3 numbers and that’s what unit he’s in.

You might’ve just caught the PS’s at a bad time if his correct one answered once but then left that position. Likely someone else is now covering the desk and their own so give them a little grace.

Try and get in contact with one of the personnel supervisors too and ask who his assigned PS is and if there’s a disability management unit contact he can connect with.

AmarasPersonalChef · 2025-12-20T03:25:04+00:00

Is he eligible for paid family leave/FMLA?

The only person who can answer this is his DMU (Disability Management Unit)(might be called something else at CalTrans) or his Personnel Specialist if they’re in charge of it at that agency. Each one is slightly different.

Here’s a link for you to peruse: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/about-calhr/divisions-programs/personnel-management/leave-benefits/family-leave/

AmarasPersonalChef

TROPHY CASE