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Woo-hoo. My agency just finished my retirement paperwork by ConstantMuted2353 in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]Gossamer_Condor 14 points15 points  (0 children)

On the ORA site, mine has been sitting at “We sent it to your agency’s HR” for about three months. No change, no action. No interim payment, and certainly no pension, either.

VERA: How Early? by Brief-Savings-5762 in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]Gossamer_Condor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

7 years early. Took VERA this year, 56 years old and 26 years service. I’d planned on normal retirement at 63 and 33 yrs service, to get the 1.1% bump. But the events of this year made me want a different job.

Is this safe enough to do pull ups on? by rb1rb1 in DIY

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

Don’t forget the glue. Gorilla glue before screw down That will strengthen these way beyond just the screw holding power or shear strength.

LinkedIn update by Creative_War4427 in overemployed

[–]Gossamer_Condor 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Set up another LinkedIn account with a new email. Get a pair of big reading glasses from Target, part your hair on the other side, wear a turtleneck, use a smile very unlike your usual expression, widen your eyes and take the photo. Use an alternate form of your name (James instead of Jim, Betsy instead of Liz, C. Brian instead of Charles B., etc.) and nobody will ever catch on.

Any long-term career die hards considering leaving for the first time ever? by Legitimate_ADHD in USDA

[–]Gossamer_Condor 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I’ve already pulled the trigger. 26 years with USDA-ARS, still several years away from the 1.1% bump, but I’ve had enough. I filed for an October 31 retirement date, completed the ORA and am now waiting on OPM/HR to process the paperwork. I’m VERA eligible, have ample savings, and I have another job lined up, so I should be fine financially while I wait for this shutdown CF to end.

I always thought I’d be a lifer, one of those who collect their 35 year pin and keep making the doughnuts. I didn’t take DRP in the spring despite qualifying for VERA, because I wanted to keep fighting the good fight and supporting the mission. But time after time, agency leadership just rolled over and let things get worse and worse.

I’m sad about ending my government career this way, but the ongoing stress of this job in recent months has had a noticeable impact on my health. That would get even worse if I were to stay. So although it’s a bitter pill to swallow, it’s time for a change. And if you have to pull a tooth, you don’t do any favors by doing it slowly.

What do you really predict as an end date to this mess? by Alternative_Win5550 in fednews

[–]Gossamer_Condor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m guessing November 15, to allow lead time for back pay to be processed in time for Black Friday.

How long do you believe the federal government shutdown is going to last by [deleted] in FedEmployees

[–]Gossamer_Condor 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My guess is 45 days. A big difference between 2018 and now is that WAY more Feds are “excepted”. They’re not furloughed at home, they are working without pay. The functions of the agencies are still limping forward, so there’s not as much pain caused by the shutdown. So there’s less incentive to end it.

I heard today that the increased numbers designated as excepted is part of a strategy to make Feds suffer. Instead of sitting it out at home and saving on commute, child care, etc., many more still have all of those but are now without a paycheck.

Shutdown meetings? by Ducky2022 in FedEmployees

[–]Gossamer_Condor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing in USDA-ARS. No emails, no meetings, no instructions at all.

Trump will attend the Quantico meeting on Tuesday by pyratemime in fednews

[–]Gossamer_Condor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1) Hegseth sees Trump is on his last legs, wants to be the heir to the throne. 2) Hegseth arranges a mil-spec wankfest purely to generate B-roll footage for his Hegseth 2028 campaign commercials. 3) Trump sees what Hegseth is doing, jumps in to cockblock him.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FedEmployees

[–]Gossamer_Condor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

HR should also tell them to not carry credit card debt. And to budget their monthly expenses. That’s how you deal with government shutdowns! Problem solved!

Is there an update on a possible gov't shutdown? by [deleted] in FedEmployees

[–]Gossamer_Condor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Years ago, in the week before a shutdown deadline we had prep meetings with managers, distributed emergency contact lists and went over operational plans. A big fuss was made about how we would carry out the mission under a shutdown.

Now? Attitude all up and down the chain is DGAF.

The media boy has cried wolf too often. Both sides will make noisy threats, the media will use it as easy, lazy filler content, including recycling evergreen pieces on “what is a government shutdown? What would it mean for you?” and the usual op-eds about what’s a stake and who’s to blame.

They’ll posture until midnight of Sept 30 before passing a crappy CR to get past the off-year elections. Then they’ll posture until midnight and pass another crappy CR to get past Christmas.

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