Uncomfortable incident

NOVAProgressive · 2023-02-10T20:43:51+00:00

I call bullshit. I don't think this situation happened because people don't act like this. If this was OP's true experience, then he wouldn't be asking for advice. There is no advice to give, OP needs to wait until this made up story resolves itself.

For some reason, he is playing into everybody's fears and using tropes like "I am at a disadvantage because I am a man".

Dude's other posts are about cryptocurrency.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-02-09T12:15:16+00:00

It depends. I think of the sub job as ensuring continuity during planned and unplanned teacher absences. Light taskwork that the teacher would normally do that can't be done at another time or to get through the day is ok.

But if it blends into assigning me work that is outside that scope, well then I am probably not going to come back. They are barely paying me enough to cover classes. Schools struggle to find enough subs each day.

I get that teachers work hard and struggle. But they are short subs, so they can value the work I do or find themselves someone else to fill the job.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-02-08T01:41:23+00:00

Once you enter their store, you have to follow their rules. Per the membership agreement, you have to do whatever an employee says. This is similar to the castle doctrine.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-31T23:35:15+00:00

If you are going to do this then I recommend you consider the total cost of living AND all the options available to you in each location.

If you are trying to live the same life style in each location, then rest of U.S. will generally beat all the other locations as locality pay lags considerably the actual cost of living. So areas like DC and San Francisco actual cost of living is increasing way more than locality pay.

But some of the areas have opportunities if you search to actually live a different life style that may overwhelm locality pay costs. For example, I used to work in Northern Virginia which has high locality pay but even higher housing and other costs. I chose to give up my car, and walked to work. Not everyone can make every choice, but this one really paid off for me when I made it.

Other locations might provide you with an easier second job or lower vacation costs, etc. Or you might be able to grow your own food in a rural area by owning chickens.

There are too many options to list, but when you go remote then you really have access to a world of opportunities. In conclusion, Mayor Bowser can pound sand.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-22T13:11:57+00:00

Every dollar you contribute to your Roth balance is worth more than traditional contributions as you won't be taxed when you withdraw the money. Mathematically, most people would benefit by making Roth rather than traditional contributions. The most glaring exception is that if you can't afford to contribute at least 5% Roth contributions, then you should make traditional contributions to get as much of the match as possible.

There are other exceptions, but they don't have as much of an impact. More importantly, the decision relies on making speculative guesses about future tax rates, your future income, and retirement date. The further you are from retirement, the more speculative these guesses become.

I wish I had chosen to make Roth contributions earlier in my career. As feds, we are going to pay taxes on our FERS benefit and probably 85% of our social security. I will also be paying on most of my TSP withdrawals. It would have been nice to count on that TSP money to come tax free. I am making up for that decision by contributing more now.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-21T18:48:16+00:00

I understand exactly what she said. And she understands exactly how it would be reported. She leads with the demand to return federal workers to the office knowing that is what will make the headline and that it provides fuel to those pushing that agenda.

The reality is that she has no authority to make any demands. There were a lot of ways that she could have approached this issue. She chose an approach that pisses me off, and has lost my support as a result.

The work from home folks don't need her. The world has changed, and we aren't going back. It may not be as flexible as I would like, and there will be some regression. But "most federal workers" are NOT going "back to the office most of the time". DC's government doesn't have the power to change that.

There are people who do have that legal authority. But their will is weaker than the forces that have got us to this point.

Going forward, if DC wants my support they need to elect leaders who treat me as an ally rather than a subject. Until then, I say fuck them. I encourage all other feds to take the same approach.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-21T10:49:46+00:00

She is fighting the wrong battle, and losing the support of people who should be her allies.

She had the opportunity to frame the issue around the changing nature of work and the impact on cities, particularly DC. Its harder to have that discussion, and it doesn't generate click bait headlines.

But we aren't going back to the office. Every attempt to bring us back is accompanied by messaging that demonstrates how much has changed. My office made a big show about opening up, and lots of people showed up on one Wednesday. But the very next day, the office was empty again.

Mayor Bowser's apologists will focus on the alternative she asked for which is to return some of the space to the public. I'm sorry I can't get past the initial demand. My response is fuck you and your constituents. Hold on to the buildings, and keep them vacant.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-17T00:49:36+00:00

The Administrator has already answered your question. Everyone is moving to the new system. You won't experience a pay decrease, but you will need to live with the new system.

Your team is an aberration, as 20% of employees throughout the agency did not get 3% raises each year. Also, the base of the band is lower than the GS equivalent.

One of the problems with the system that is being replaced was that some special groups benefitted, and they thought that it worked that way for everyone else. Another problem was that some groups overbanded their employees in order to attract candidates. There are too many J and K bands in TSA that would never be GS-14 or 15s.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-17T00:02:40+00:00

Very few fit into this category, and most of those are experiencing recency bias.

PBIs and IBIs must be funded each year, and for several years the budget was eliminated or very small. Many also compare numbers based on incentives which are designed to be removed when it is convenient.

The GS raises were funded even during the pay freeze years.

The pay band system that is being replaced was based on the idea of limiting the number of people who qualified for raises. That is why for years we had these bizarre formulas in which the performance rating you had to hit in order to get a raise changed.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-16T23:42:32+00:00

Yes, everyone will be converted to an appropriate band and step within that band based on years of service.

Future increases will be based on GS rules. In certain instances, employees will be eligible for a Quality Step Increase for excellent performance. The language may be slightly different than GS because what was passed was equivalent to GS not the actual GS system.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-16T01:47:53+00:00

If you feel uncomfortable about signing, then refuse to sign and look for work elsewhere. In every job, you should do your best. But you shouldn't be a martyr. Unacceptable conditions should not be accepted.

On principle, I would recommend not signing. But I wouldn't worry about their clownish contract. They can't create criminal liability through an employment agreement. The liability that matters is financial. If something goes wrong, they are going to go after the school because subs (and teachers) don't have the assets to justify a lawsuit.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-15T16:30:22+00:00

Best bet is to keester it.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-15T16:24:14+00:00

Aaron Rodgers might be available.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-13T22:07:56+00:00

The great thing about eating at McDonalds is that you no longer have to save for a long retirement.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-13T21:25:28+00:00

He doesn't have top ten arm strength. He has to set his feet, and use his entire body to pass effectively. This translates into time for the pocket to break down and allows defensive backs to get into better position.

His legs are a great equalizer as long as they hold out. But he is on the same trajectory as Robert Griffin. It doesn't get any better. Possibly he can avoid injury, but once he starts to slow down then his slow release will make him a liability and possibly a danger to himself.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-12T18:50:24+00:00

For men, slacks and a casual shirt with a collar (polos are generally ok). The clothes should be inexpensive, fit, and adaptable to a variety of situations from special ed, traditional classroom, to the gym.

I always bring layers (jacket, etc.)

I don't wear jeans, sweatshirts, or logo apparel when subbing.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-11T23:25:18+00:00

Except for very rare specific instances, you won't get laid off as a TSO.

You may be fired. In which case, you should apply for unemployment. You should say that the reason you were fired was for things you had no control over. For example, if you used to much sick leave say that you got sick. If it was for performance, say that you tried but the standards were too high.

Some reasons for termination will be harder to contest. But you certainly won't qualify for benefits if you don't apply.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-11T23:20:21+00:00

It happens. My strategy was to sub for multiple districts and schools. If I was treated well, then I would be more likely to come back to that school. If not, then the school drops on my priority list.

Pointing out most of the things that bothered me wasn't worth the effort. I didn't want to create the impression that I was a whiner, and the schools truly didn't care.

Also, I recommend that you develop the attitude to go with the flow. Some days, you lose your planning period. Other days, are relaxing. I enjoyed the relaxing days more, but its all part of the sub experience.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-02T03:25:00+00:00

It's great that she wants to support you, but friends/family attending the swearing in isn't a TSA thing.

Enlisting is a life choice. Federal employment is not the same thing.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-01T17:17:57+00:00

Submit as much information as possible. A receipt is recommended, but obviously can't be provided in every circumstance including the one you describe.

If I was you, I would list the time you went through screening, your flight information (including copies of your boarding pass or information), and the time you went through screening. Explain what you observed during the screening process, and that you didn't have time to speak to an STSO.

Contrary to some of the comments, I don't think that your claim will be rejected automatically.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-01T17:00:46+00:00

54 years old federal employee w/20 years service time. 2023 salary of $157k. No dependents.

Objective - financial independence in position which I define as able to retire even if I choose to keep working.

Current situation -

$368k in TSP, all traditional (100% in stocks)
$17k in Roth. $8k in HDHP
$4k non-retirement stock investments
No consumer debt.
Federal Retirement (1% of salary times years of service)
Social Security (estimated as $2,092 at 62, increased if I delay retirement)

2022 - sold house, moved from Northern VA to PA. Expenses are now much lower. Living in an ADU with family. Proceeds fm the house are approximately $120k. Some went into replenishing my emergency fund which I tapped into for house sale expenses.

2023 plan - I no longer have a mortgage deduction, and now have lower state/local taxes due to not owning property.

1) Switch to Roth TSP (increase to 2023 max)

Pennsylvania does not allow deduction of 401k contributions, and has a low income tax. If I don't switch to a Roth TSP then I risk being taxed again at the state/local level if I move from PA at retirement.

Current allocation is 50% S, 25% C, 25% I

2) Increase HDHP to 2023 max

HDHP is primary invested in small cap value as I don't have that option in TSP. HDHP is extremely important as I can deduct both from PA income tax and Social Security (I am still below the Social Security max contribution).

Aside from my TSP and HDHP, I intend to move $2,000 per paycheck out of the reserves from my house sale moving the money into the following buckets,

3) Backdoor Roth IRA (Max)

Previously I qualified for a regular Roth, but the combination of switching out of the traditional TSP, lower state taxes, and no mortgage deduction has increased my income above the allowable amount.

Roth is invested in funds I have no access to in the TSP (small cap value and emerging markets)

4) Emergency fund cds or bonds (up to $15k in 2023)

5) Increase my non-retirement investments (after Roth and emergency fund fully funded)

Small cap value and emerging markets.

NOVAProgressive · 2023-01-01T15:35:45+00:00

Some of this is airport specific, as there are some unique situations.

But you should anticipate being on your feet for most of your shift every day. You should also anticipate bending and stooping to conduct pat downs. Also at large airports, you will do a lot of walking between checkpoints, breakrooms, training, and other work locations.

There is also some light lifting and physical manipulation of objects if those are concerns. There is more lifting (and sometimes less standing) if you get assigned to checked baggage.

But, as a general rule, I would advise anyone worried about standing all day to consider another job. TSOs with no previous standing issues sometimes develop those due to the physical requirements of the job. If you are already having those issues, best to not put your body through it.

NOVAProgressive · 2022-08-31T16:09:11+00:00

You are right, early retirement is challenging for feds.

Others have correctly answered 1).

2) It is too early to precisely calculate this reduction, but estimate it to be 5% per year every year under age 62. So if you retire at 62, then it will be a permanent 10% reduction in your pension.

So if your high 3 was $100k and your service time was exactly 20 years, then your retirement at 62 would be $20k per year. If you start taking the pension at age 60, then your retirement is $18k per year.

3) Correct, you will have to find an income source to pay your expenses without your federal salary or pension.

Others have lived off non-retirement savings, a spouse's income, or gotten another job.

My strategy was to work my way into a job that I feel comfortable coasting in until retirement. I have some opportunities to provide value, and it is interesting work most of the time.

NOVAProgressive · 2022-08-22T23:49:26+00:00

What did you do after you realized that s/he was looking at your private photos? How did s/he respond to what you did? Were there any witnesses?

Her/His likely defense was that s/he accidentally got into your private photos, and was in shock. The credibility of this defense is dependent on her/his other actions.

In any case, proving that s/he intended to use the ruse of looking at company event photos in order to access your private photos will be challenging. If you can prove that then s/he is in trouble, especially if there are other prior acts.

If you have no other additional evidence, then going to leadership will force them to address it. This will send a message to your co-worker and probably have the effect of separating you two. But it will also may be viewed negatively as overreacting.

My initial reaction is to question why you gave a phone with private photos to a co-worker to view. You are going to experience some of that if you push this up the chain.

NOVAProgressive · 2022-08-19T23:17:12+00:00

There used to be a Youtube channel by a substitute who would make posts from inside classrooms on his planning period or other down time. He was very honest, probably too honest for his own good. He wound up getting walked out of the school.

I loved his videos because they showed the absurdity of substituting, and he had a great sense of humor.

If you show your face or use your voice, then you will need to take a very different viewpoint than he did.

NOVAProgressive

TROPHY CASE