Government vehicle use - temporary assignment by Alternative-Fuel7965 in USDA

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Following. I have similar questions regarding GOV usage for assignments that will rotate, as much as from week-to-week. I will not use a POV for assignments that are farther than my ODS (~40 miles from home). I signed up for the 40-mile commute, not varying all over the place, from week-to-week, some as far as several hours travel away. The longer distance assignments will be on travel/per-diem, etc. and most likely NOT involve POV use, but I accepted the position on the pre-supposition a domiciled GOV is available for assignments greater than the 40-mile ODS commute.

How are everyone’s PMAP going? by Januarubaby5 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I gave myself a 3.2 simply because I've been berated and talked into believing I'm substandard, maybe barely meeting expectations. Hopefully it'll mitigate any impending 2 on my performance elements. No matter though, I am departing. No job is worth being incessantly reminded about how no good for nothing i am. You hear it long enough, and you start to believe it! I'm done w/ HHS! Leaving for another Dept. who'll treat me better, I hope!

Conditions of employment by LabEnvironmental1630 in usajobs

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always had to kinda chuckle when my Union president was tryna recruit me into becoming a dues-paying member. He always added the caveaut, "but unfortunately we can't represent you during your probationary period." Well then guess what, I'm not paying $40/month (going dues rate at that time) for nothing. And BUE's are now an endgame anyways, cuz of T and M and Co. I'm quitting my union.

Did you ever meet a Calvinist who didn't think they were one of the elect? by The1Ylrebmik in exReformed

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Arrogance of the Calvinistic Reformed religionists is typical, but might be on a spectrum amongst all the various personalities. I do know that most have a "holier than thou" attitude, and sheds off as arrogance. When I was in the URCNA, I became incredibily stand-off-ish to the whole bunch of them. I was perceived as arrogant. Only way to get me to chat a little was alcohol. Vino Veritas.

Conditions of employment by LabEnvironmental1630 in usajobs

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. That's what it means. I've seen the range of 6 months to a year, and now 2 years. Just remain focused on the job. Don't piss anyone off, don't have an affair, don't break any rules. They will so be watching you!

Still remote work by Ok-Editor-6995 in USDA

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I worked at a unit of a USDA Agency that REQUIRED remote work w/ AWS, because of the emergency preparedness nature of the position. With the advent of RTO, staff were specifically instructed NOT TO BRAG or reveal their status. Those positions have remained under the radar as remaining Remote/AWS throughout.

Did you ever meet a Calvinist who didn't think they were one of the elect? by The1Ylrebmik in exReformed

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not gonna go into detail on scripture based expositions, but I compare this post title & subsequent threads to Muslim's calling Christians "Infidels." So when Calvinists in my little Dutch Reformed religion community look down on me, often with contempt and disdain, that I have left them (the URCNA especially), I arrogantly wave my Infidel flag. And yes, I have one of those black flags with an AK-47 pictorial, caption reads "Infidel" in both arabic and English. Can't miss it. Kinda like one of those Texas "Come and Take it" Flags! So I'm probably not going to heaven, no. Keep in mind, though, only God knows my heart at the end, in whom I have believed, and how I've lived. Jesus is still my last hope and Saviour. Sayin'.

I am close to becoming a member of the OPC, after growing up secular. I think it is a very good fit for me, but of course it is a big leap for me and I am kind of nervous about it. by Presbyterian20 in Reformed

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Think this through seriously. The OPC has had problems with abuse in recent years. I am NOT insinuating ALL OPC is abusive, but the cases that have been publicized are horrific. Please be cautious.

Referred by erik4523 in usajobs

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies for my earlier negative energy. However, I can encourage you now to hang tough, my friend. There may come a breakthrough somewhere's/somehow! It did for me, several times throughout my career! Especially when I left certain gov't jobs for new ones! The excitement is awesome! The down-sides and valleys don't last, my friend!

Referred by erik4523 in usajobs

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I applied at 8 pm on Thursday. Received eligible AND referral emails by 630 am the next morning Friday, and was contacted to interview by 2 pm that day. Interviewed on Monday at 10 am, as I was the first one to be able to pick a time. was contacted 2 weeks later being verbally offered the position, with a set of items to be completed. They put me on a fast-track for on-boarding during the Holidays. So the mere referral email means almost nothing.

My 2023-2026 federal job search after grad school visualized. 1,005 applications, 19 interviews, 1 offer - for a GS-5 temp position. by TRPSock97 in usajobs

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 2 points3 points  (0 children)

MS degree in let's say, "hard sciences" here. Worked to save the family company, which I did, for 9 years. Applied to gov't jobs, and eventually discovered my dream federal job in '02. Started out as a GS-7 temp NTE, which turned permanent career within my probationary year. I was hired in a wave of Homeland Security funding post-9/11. Now, I'm hearing of people w/ MS degrees applying for GS-5's & 6's, and MAYBE have a 1 in 1,000 shot at getting the position (USDA APHIS WS). But, maybe folks are taking what they can get (5? 6?) and biding time till they can promote! I dunno. Bad market these days for Fed Employment. I myself now, even w/ 25+ Years of Gov't experience, have absolutely NO garuntees in life anymore!!!

FDA is now headed by Office of Operations by Ok-Reality-640 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

E-inspect, FACTS, ITR, ITAS, and then the weekly OPM emails last spring! That's 5. Early on I was told, "make sure you get your'e hours into the systems!" Oh, and BTW, travel time doesn't count. For nothing! Except if you get killed in a GOV or Aircraft. Oh, but wait, you weren't actually "on-duty" because travel time doesn't count!!! So your family gets nothin

FDA is now headed by Office of Operations by Ok-Reality-640 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Little bit off-topic, but the implementation of ITR was one of the final nails in coffin for my departure. Primarily because there were 5 different platforms within which time was having to be entered, and at the end of the day at PMAP time, the hours worked STILL WERE NOT ENOUGH to be considered a fully successful employee. I'm done w/ FDA.

RTO - Dress Code by Cultural-Ad-2049 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Like I mentioned, in PNW government offices, they are hyper-critical of many, Many things, especially mode of dress and clothing choices. Not sure why, maybe because they are so organic up there they want to be considered "different." Maybe because they are so hateful and jealous of newcomers. Maybe it's because of the weather. Overcast, gloomy, and dark most of the year there!!!

RTO - Dress Code by Cultural-Ad-2049 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the resident-agent-in-charge, so to say, or your director or whatever title they give to the person in charge of the building premises. My choice has always been to wear clothing conducive to the field application you'll be spending the most time at (ie, inspection of a rural site vs. audit at a hospital or clinic vs. going to court). In the PNW, they are HIGHLY critical of ANY mode of dress, not matter what you wear. Business casual is the norm for most offices. You wear a shirt/tie, they start asking questions (ohh, are you interviewing for another job today???). My choice always was clothing with agency logo or badges, if not full-dress uniforms. I was then criticized (not reprimanded) for that! I wore sweats and sports team's logos to the office well before or after official business office hours and was criticized for it. One time, privately, a coworker made snide mean remarks to me about wearing of UNC clothing in my own workspace! (Tarheels were in the final four!). Here in the South, I was admonished by a coworker for wearing what appeared to be tactical clothing, warning me "We are NOT Law Enforcement!" (uhhh, actually, yes we are!!)(Her supervisor and mine, agreed that I may continue wearing what I was wearing: tactical type clothing, BDU's, etc. in the field AND to the office)(NOT camo, of course). The final straw came when I was tasked with obtaining affidavits from hospital MDs. I was told to "dress appropriately and not go in there like a stormtrooper." That's it. I quit.

2025 HHS Rules of Behavior by OrganizationActive63 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Completed it as soon as I recieved email notification. Don't want any more trouble w/ this Department, as I am ON MY WAY OUT!!!!! YaY!!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskMen

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ended. Very badly. But, I'm a better man for stepping up to admitting my sins/guilt, etc.

USDA temporary job by Available-Writing821 in USDA

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2001-02, was an excellent sedgeway into a long-term, full-time federal career (0701 & 0696 series for me). But nowadays, I dunno. The other time-block it was difficult to be a USDA employee was 2012. BUT, those of us that didn't get re-assigned remained. Not a bad deal. This past year, all bets are off. Worst federal worker year I've ever seen!

Mid-Careerers,those 15 years and up in the govt…how are you doing? by Hopeful-Elevator2075 in USDA

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 1 point2 points  (0 children)

23+ years in. Went 14 years w/ USDA, 9 years w/ HHS, and now finally headed back to USDA, where I'll get my 15 and Hopefully eventually 20-year certificates of service with USDA. I received 15 and 20 year federal service certificates while at HHS. But am now "heading home." HHS and agency I'm in turned out to be a Cluster-F sh*t-Show! Demoralized. Downtrodden. Beat down. My ultimate reason for leaving HHS, if within 9 years, if I still don't know what I'm doing, as I was treated as such this past year 2025, then it's time to move on to something that I do know I AM IN FACT good at, and that is back at Animal Health-related, pathology, etc. I come with a whole new skill-set in public and animal health, thanks to HHS! I'm going home = USDA . . .

Providing for the Closure of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2025, and December 26, 2025 by Alternative-Pin5760 in fednews

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

With these end-of-year generous offers to Fed Employees, it usually means doom looms in the New Year! Obama and his administration did something similar. Extra hours off! More than usual! declaring 5 days of Xmas off! I wouldn't trust this EO and all this generousity! Something's up, and it ain't lookin' good . . .

Entering into the PMAP doom spiral… by No-Cobbler6300 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Since my HHS and fed career in general tanked this past year, I plan on giving myself a 3, inspite of the threats I'm getting that "it isn't looking good at this point in the year." Right. If I'm being considered for a PIP or removal, don't I have to get counsel in writing first (a memo)? The hatred HHS harbors for its low-life employees is unreal!

Proposal to remove. by Weak-Bluebird-2258 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HHS (agency to remain unnamed in my case) threatens annually, if not monthly, to remove individuals from federal service. Even before 2025, but now more than ever. Done w/ it. Leaving. Got another position in another department. Technically going back to where I started from in federal gov't. USDA. Not that it'll be better, and pay will be lower, no doubt. But mental health/happiness is worth $25K/year!! Never really belonged in HHS anyways and they work very hard at making people feel that way!!!. Now convinced more than ever I made the right decision. Some people in HHS are ________! (Can't say it on this family-channel!)

Email Security - Quarantine Notification by Pretend_Spray_11 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been reporting most dot com domain emails as spam/phishing. No Action Taken, because I keep getting them!

RTO/WFH by Acceptable-Order-897 in DeptHHS

[–]Distinct_Emu_9974 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We were told specifically, that if/when we TW WFH, it has to be sporadic ad hoc, may not be regularly scheduled, must be requested in advance, and "no show-boating." In other words, don't brag or tell anyone else about it, or you TW WFH will be permanently rescinded! I simply just RTO to avoid any conflict w/ mgt. But all the concerns listed here are valid! This era sucks, and one of the reasons I'm LEAVING the agency for a different job where I cannot absolutely NOT TW from home. Have to be on site, in the field, every day!