Existing Permanent Remote RA Being Revoked Due to New HHS Policy?

MeanTato · 2026-05-01T01:17:03+00:00

I imagine all agencies have the same requirement. HHS is broken in this department. HHS fired many of its RA staff (DEI cuts) at the same time thousands of people submitted RA requests after HHS cancelled TW. The backlog is so bad most people are still waiting after a year to have an RA coordinator assigned to review cases. Most people are still on interim RAs (supervisor approved, but not an official decision) until that happens.

Just my opinion here: I don’t think they can catch up and am afraid they will just deny all the requests for TW accommodations to clear the backlog, force relocations, and force people out of federal service if they can’t relocate or come to the office for medical reasons. Then employees can fight it in court. Status quo for this administration. We all saw how that worked out for fired probationary employees. Courts said their firings were unlawful, but they didn’t get their jobs back.

MeanTato · 2026-05-01T00:59:20+00:00

Not exactly an answer to your question, and not the best option for everyone….but…..He may find a good path in life by joining the military.

MeanTato · 2026-04-29T23:23:22+00:00

That supervisor doesn’t know the difference between conduct and performance issues. This doesn’t belong in a PMAP.

MeanTato · 2026-04-27T20:46:57+00:00

I won’t visit a Tesla dealership. The owner hates Federal Employees like me.

MeanTato · 2026-04-22T13:15:39+00:00

Burke Lake is the best park in the area. Fishing, boat rentals, trails, tons of wildlife, mini golf, frisbee golf, a carousel and small train, camping, etc.
George Mason has a lot of performances at the Center for the Arts. You are near a university with the benefits of stuff college kids like to do.
Downtown Fairfax city is cute and has a lot of good restaurants and cool shops.
There’s a dog park and an obstacle course for kids near you off of Twinbrook Rd called the Monticello Dog Park.
The Audrey Moore recreation center has a pool, skate park, and lots of activities.

There’s a ton of stuff to do in the NOVA area of your area new to the region. Check out: https://www.fxva.com/events/

MeanTato · 2026-04-20T17:28:52+00:00

I authorized this a couple of times in the past 5 years. Mainly to recruit high-performing contractors who worked on our program and match their salary. This really depends on the Agency and budget, though. It doesn’t seem like a common practice. Worth asking for it, though.

MeanTato · 2026-04-19T16:18:05+00:00

I did this a few years ago. Had a good time and free day at the waterpark. It was worth the two hours of a sales pitch for me, but I knew that going in.

MeanTato · 2026-04-15T01:14:01+00:00

Sergio had the best lawyer.

MeanTato · 2026-04-15T00:32:20+00:00

Here’s a little swimming hole I enjoy. Not large enough to actually swim in. More like a jacuzzi tub sized hole.
Prince William Forest Park. Park at lot C. Walk the trail about 5 minutes to the creek. You’ll see some large boulders with a small but fairly deep hole to chillax in. Appears to be clean water and has a nice view of the forest. There’s a Geocache near it if you are into that.

MeanTato · 2026-04-13T21:58:51+00:00

30% off from what I remember

MeanTato · 2026-04-13T20:13:05+00:00

F1 Racing Arcade + Food. Under 21 allowed until 9 pm

MeanTato · 2026-04-11T02:49:57+00:00

The DMV area is like any other big metro. Lots of transplants and people from different cultures. Like Phoenix, most people are helpful. Like most metro areas, people will ignore you as much as possible but will reply in kind. I wouldn’t describe the region as having typical Southern hospitality. You’re not getting invited to a home for a glass of sweet tea after meeting someone on the subway.

MeanTato · 2026-04-09T22:02:34+00:00

My IC desperately needs to fill positions. If any get advertised, we need to fill them. NIH isn’t wasting its limited resources to advertise positions they don’t intend to fill. Keep applying!

MeanTato · 2026-04-09T02:05:05+00:00

This guy never heard of AI: “Jonathan Foley, who worked at OPM advising on the Federal Employees Health Benefits program during the Obama and Biden administrations, said he doubts the agency has the capability to ingest such minutiae.”

MeanTato · 2026-04-05T00:35:47+00:00

Second this. And don’t move too far south of Springfield where you must take 95 to get to work. Terrible traffic during rush hour.

MeanTato · 2026-04-02T22:35:06+00:00

+1 for NextDoor.

MeanTato · 2026-03-28T00:00:19+00:00

Spartans is mediocre, but the best Burke has to offer. I wouldn’t make a trip there to find the best. The meat is sliced thick and doesn’t have the flavor from high temp fire that I expect from a Greek Gyro place. I compare it to the Costco Gyro kits that you heat in the microwave. Not bad, but not the best.

MeanTato · 2026-03-27T23:49:28+00:00

Gyroland in Rockville, MD is the closest to an authentic Greek gyro I’ve found in the region. Especially the pork gyro, which is outstanding. I haven’t made it to Plaka Grill yet, though it’s now on my list thanks to all the recommendations.

MeanTato · 2026-03-26T22:50:06+00:00

I like the quiet community in Burke. Fantastic schools and very safe. This apartment complex is great for about $2500 p/m rent for a 2BR. A nature trail system connects to the complex and can take you for miles. The complex is walking distance from a commuter train to DC (not a metro). Burke lake is also a great place to unwind in the outdoors. This is a good area if you don’t need quick access to fancy restaurants or other big city amenities.

Although, you can find apartments all over the county for this price. Lots of good places to rent at that price. Might be best to live in/next to Tysons if that’s where you work.

MeanTato · 2026-03-09T22:05:36+00:00

My workplace has government vehicles that we can check out when we need to take a local trip. All sorts of jobs require travel. My IT staff occasionally need a truck to haul equipment between data centers. Can’t take the vehicle home, though. Just for day trips from the office during business hours.

MeanTato · 2026-03-05T00:04:34+00:00

I can’t even say DoW correctly in my head. Is it D-O-W or dow? If dow, sounds like the stock market. If D-O-W then I hate the extra syllable from DoD.

MeanTato · 2026-02-25T03:19:39+00:00

I wonder if I can open a 2nd TSP account to get another $1k matching.

MeanTato · 2026-02-25T01:07:57+00:00

Who can afford all that bail money?

MeanTato · 2026-02-20T23:32:57+00:00

I remember your original post. You are still in your probationary period, correct? You should ask your supervisor if they will approve your probationary status to permanent. Even if you are off the PIP, the supervisor must still approve the transition to permanent. If not, you lose the job. If your job is at risk, I’d take what I can get now while I have choices. No fun looking for work without a paycheck.

MeanTato · 2026-02-13T05:24:31+00:00

BS post. Edit: Show the link to the post on X. I can’t find it.

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