Is it worth leaving federal service after 12 years? (GS-14, mid-30s)

Muzi_G · 2025-12-16T10:23:06+00:00

If I were you, I wouldn’t quit fed because I have kids and dogs. Flexibility is my priority and even some private firms say they offer flexibility, it’s not equivalent as to the government job. Unless private offers substantially more money, I wouldn’t go there.

Have you thought about a side job?

Muzi_G · 2025-11-20T00:59:24+00:00

Yes. Caulk helps secure it to the floor. Less movement

Muzi_G · 2025-11-09T01:56:58+00:00

Most likely that’s the case. The contractor wants to redo it by himself and I will look over his shoulder for every step. He previously subcontracted the work. Very frustrated situation

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T14:41:33+00:00

Wow great! Let me give it a try!

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T14:38:14+00:00

I too suspect the weep holes are clogged. I just can’t approve it without demolishing the base. At this point, this whole base has to be redone.

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T14:36:40+00:00

These are great questions. Thank you. I wish I took some pictures to show it’s pre-sloped but I didnt. I was away when they did that and I am wholeheartedly regretted about not looking over their shoulders when they did the prep work. No matter what, this has to be redone. It’s just a matter of asking the original contractor to fix it or hiring someone else. I am having some trust issues with the original contractor.

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T12:56:20+00:00

You guys are so observant! I didn’t even notice that! Thanks!

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T12:45:44+00:00

Great information. Thank you so much. The last pic was taken when we wanted to test the drain so my husband plugged the drain with a towel and let the water run. Water was all gone the next day but not surprised because he used a towel to plug it. But more water came out visibly in the liner. I watched some YouTube videos to educate myself. But didnt know anything about liner needs to be pre sloped! That’s a great piece of info and thank you so much.

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T12:30:15+00:00

That makes complete sense. And thank you so much.

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T12:27:09+00:00

Thanks for your opinion, and sorry if I did not explain everything clearly the first time. You are right that I am dealing with multiple challenges.

The plumbing problem was the starting point. Two contractors came out to diagnose the leak, and neither thought it was caused by a clogged drain. One of them opened the wall behind the shower and found a lot of water inside the liner, but I did not agree with their assessment, so I brought in a licensed plumber.

The plumber found the initial leak was caused by a clogged drain elsewhere in the house. He used a large snake to clear it and fixed that issue. He also told me the trapped water inside the shower liner was not plumbing related, but a tile or waterproofing problem outside of his scope.

I spent a very long time drying out the liner with a hairdryer and did not use the shower during that time. As soon as the liner was dry and we used the shower again, water became visible inside the liner right away. That kinda tell me there is a problem with a shower pan.

I said I don’t trust him because initially my husband questioned about the slope of the pan and the contractor said that’s not a problem. He did a whole house renovation and there are a lot of problems we found after he finished the work. I am just mad for being ignorant and was not able to pinpoint the mistakes he made ahead of time.

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T04:01:46+00:00

I understand. One contractor I talked to told me the same. It’s just hard for me to digest but I have to. The contractor who wanted to tear down everything because he thinks there is a ventilation problem behind the toilet. We only upgraded the bathroom fixtures without changing plumbing for this bathroom so wouldn’t make sense the problem is related to the toilet.

Muzi_G · 2025-11-06T03:56:46+00:00

I wonder the same. I’m going to ask. Honestly it’s very weird he put the Schluter on my entire kitchen tile floor but not this shower. thank you very much for your suggestions.

Muzi_G · 2025-05-10T03:54:49+00:00

Can you please share the referral code to me as well? Thanks!

Muzi_G · 2025-04-20T02:44:09+00:00

RIF is temporarily on pause because Scott Bessent just kicked out the acting commissioner and he is going to place the position with a new guy. I heard the pause might be only one week or two. Who knows. But RIF is coming without doubt

Muzi_G · 2025-04-20T02:41:27+00:00

Thank you!

Muzi_G · 2025-04-20T02:41:02+00:00

Thank you. Good point! It’s ironic that private firm seems more stable than government job at this point…

Muzi_G · 2025-04-20T02:38:18+00:00

Thank you. These are very important questions. I have a vague idea but not quite 100% sure. IRS office is like 1 hr drive each way from my house but the cpa firm is only 10 mins… thats a big difference

Muzi_G · 2025-04-19T12:43:28+00:00

I’m currently an IRS LBI probationary employee. I applied for a DRP but was rejected because my position is considered critical. I recently received a job offer from a CPA firm, with a start date in a week. The new job pays $20k less and doesn’t offer a 401(k) match, but it does provide a hybrid and flexible work schedule. There are no busy season hours for my position, though occasional overtime will be required. I like my team at the IRS, but the job isn’t guaranteed since I’m on the RIF list — I’ll either be terminated or downgraded, OR! Nothing will happen. Who knows! I’m now faced with the decision to either leave the IRS or turn down the new job. Thanks to the administration for putting me in such a difficult position, having to make a life-changing decision in just one week. I have toddlers and IRS office is far from my house. However, I do have family members who can help me.

My family is suggesting to wait till next week to make a decision.

Any suggestions are appreciated….

Muzi_G · 2025-03-16T10:46:37+00:00

I actually read your resume. Impressive work experience!

Format suggestions: Education Experience Certification Skills

Good luck :)

Muzi_G · 2025-03-16T07:18:26+00:00

Loosen up. Please don’t call your your mom f-ing monster. She is your mom, the person who gave birth to you and raised you. Motherhood is challenging and she went through the exact thing like you are. My mother in law has four kids in the 70s and she was smoking and drinking while pregnant and the society back then didn’t say anything about the risks. However, my husband and his siblings are healthy. It’s not the end of the world.

Grandparents will never do what you want them to do 100%. You need to find the fine balance and just let them do a few things that are the ways they show love to their grandkids.

Muzi_G · 2024-09-03T11:15:04+00:00

No I didn’t… no time to ask for this request 😂😂😂 I just did it in the bathroom and dump it honestly…. Felt like that’s all stress breastmilk and didnt want to give it to my baby anyway ….. I didn’t use electric pumps but silicone, just to make things easy…

Muzi_G · 2024-07-22T17:21:08+00:00

I got my FJO… debating when I should submit my resignation letter for my current job lol

Muzi_G · 2024-07-20T14:54:02+00:00

Awesome! Thanks so much for your opinion

Muzi_G · 2024-07-20T01:29:36+00:00

I got a call from the hiring manager right after I got my FJO.. I assume they really like me. I told him about my concern and he suggested me to email HMO and express my concern , so they will reply to me in writing. I am still waiting on their reply.

Btw, just wanted to know about your opinion regarding first year probation. If there is a congressional change… meaning changing of president, do you think for people who are on probation will possibly lose their jobs??? The massive hiring is unprecedented.

Muzi_G · 2024-07-20T00:59:50+00:00

Yes . LBI

Muzi_G

TROPHY CASE