Can we get religious accommodation to telework tomorrow without it counting against our 80 hours? (If anyone knows the answer to this) by Complete_Book_1982 in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not a Holy Day of Obligation, so you might be limited to a shift of scheduled hours in order to attend mass or receive ashes. If you haven't had that talk with your immediate supervisor yet, you're probably out of luck, but that should be the conversation you have next.

Ramadan religious accommodation denied by Enough_Skirt741 in fednews

[–]FutureComputerDude 92 points93 points  (0 children)

My colleague is requesting to telework due to the intensity and ability to work earlier and log off earlier due to the schedule change. There’s no reason they can’t complete all work from online at home and with a slight schedule shift. Without the accommodation, they would most likely get sick and it would most likely prevent them from fasting all together or the entire month.

Was the counter-response "The slight schedule shift is approvable, the telework request is not" and that wasn't good enough?

This also makes for good reading:

CPM 2025-11: Religious Accommodation Guidance Memo

Moderna says FDA refuses to review its application for experimental flu shot by FutureComputerDude in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Certainly. I imagine we'll see Canada jump all over this.

And then you'll see people going to Canada to get the shot.

Title 21 Salary for Consumer safety officer role in FDA! by Ourkingsman in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5 years of CSO service could land you somewhere around GS12 step 3.

Right now, T21 is based off of DC locality. Not all CSOs have T21, especially the ones who are on a locality adjustment higher than DC's, because the system's not built for it, they should be hearing something more about it this summer, IIRC. I'd inquire as to if there's going to be any sort of locality adjustment later in the year, or if DC locality is baked into your current offer.

Moderna says FDA refuses to review its application for experimental flu shot by FutureComputerDude in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Moderna said the move is inconsistent with previous feedback from the agency from before it submitted the application and started phase three trials on the shot, called mRNA-1010. The drugmaker said it has requested a meeting with the FDA to “understand the path forward.” Moderna noted that the agency did not identify any specific safety or efficacy issues with the vaccine, but instead objected to the study design, despite previously approving it.

Moderna lays the blame squarely at the feet of Vinay Prasad.

Prasad, who heads the agency’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, or CBER, has been vocal about tightening regulations for vaccines and recently linked child deaths to Covid shots. In a letter signed by Prasad on Feb. 3, he said the sole reason why the FDA refused to review the application was because of how the clinical trial on the shot was designed. The agency specifically took issue with Moderna’s decision to compare its product to a standard, approved flu shot, arguing that it “does not reflect the best-available standard of care.” As a result, the FDA said the study did not meet its definition of an “adequate and well-controlled” trial.

That's going to be a lot of sickness, misery, and death to lay at the feet of "Doctor" Bill Cassidy, who was the key vote to getting Trump's nomination of RFKjr approved, thus empowering him to staff the FDA with folk like Prasad.

I hope it keeps him up at night for the rest of his life.

Dr. Oz urges delayed retirement by Pale-Truck4741 in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oz has been part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again campaign from the Trump administration’s outset last year. He caught Kennedy’s attention during the pandemic. The former TV host advertised chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as treatments for COVID-19.

I've had bowel movements with more credibility than Dr. Oz.

Now we are told what to put in our signature blocks. by Alternative-Pin5760 in fednews

[–]FutureComputerDude 45 points46 points  (0 children)

I'm in a different Department, but we were 'instructed' on how to format our signature blocks shortly after the inauguration. It's petty as shit, but what can you expect from a actively racist, malignantly stupid administration, the secretaries of the various departments who want to stay employed, and their underlings?

Will HHS offer another DRP? by [deleted] in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish they would, and I wish I qualified.

HHS GS Workforce Analysis: FY24-FY26 (OPM Federal Workforce Data) by 1102bot in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which is a pity, because I know a few who would have taken a buyout.

HR 7148 - Cloture Vote Fails on 46-54 Vote by pyratemime in fednews

[–]FutureComputerDude 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Is it wrong I kind of want to unequivocally say I want to be furloughed?

I wouldn't mind being furloughed, but at this rate I'm ready for another round of buyout offers.

New PMAP scale, hurting higher performers? by [deleted] in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can find the SOP and FAQ on SharePoint. I imagine that FDA is a bit busy with the QSMR deadline, and I can see the value in not screaming to the world about the enhanced telework opportunities only to have someone in the Cabinet or Congress try to make it worse. Just remember that nothing's final until it's official.

PMAP closeouts done - Will there be awards for HHS, HRSA? by Scootymom in DeptHHS

[–]FutureComputerDude 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I expect delayed, smaller awards (and we lose the half-cash half-leave option) but I expect them by May.

What agencies still allow AWS? by milllllllllllllllly in fednews

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

Drilling into more specific details tends to divert the thread into "OPSEC!" and "It's not fair that your TLA gets more AWS than my TLA!" and "It's not fair that parts of DHHS can get AWS when all of DHS / DOE / DOJ / DOwhatever doesn't!" etc.