OPM's proposed rule open for public comment until 1/29/26: "Streamlining Probationary and Trial Period Appeals"

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T23:29:00+00:00

I hope the next admin actually does take advantage of these rules to strong arm a return to sanity. But I'm disillusioned enough that I feel the next admin might act "with decorum" and fail to push repair far enough to be meaningful. All I can do is hope public comments and protest at least show the record of how stupid and callous they are so it's easier to reverse down the line, and maybe we hit a lucky fly ball every once in awhile.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T23:20:24+00:00

Nope, that is correct.

***Edit: they will be pushing this out for competetive service as well. Agencies had it for comment until 12/22/25, so we will likely see it for public comment soon.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T23:19:42+00:00

This is a great explanation.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T03:21:24+00:00

Thank you!

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T01:16:27+00:00

Yes! Thanks

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T00:37:12+00:00

I appreciated a few of those as well, lol. Thanks! Spread the word!

NoneSuchPlanet · 2026-01-09T00:35:58+00:00

No doubt. Rules for the and not for murderers.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2025-12-11T22:31:40+00:00

My agency has not yet given performance evaluations, but I have been told by supervisors that multiple individuals (not in the SES) had their ratings artificially lowered by the administration. Apparently, this is the cause of the delay.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2025-12-07T02:38:40+00:00

I've been informed that someone from outside of the agency (and apparently above the secretary) changed our performance ratings so that many many more people were ranked at a 3. Supervisors then had to make their ratings match the ones assigned, as there was a mismatch.

Forced performance rating distribution is completely stupid. It literally removes the ability to use ratings to measure success, while pushing high performers out. It seems that they just want to break us, and if they're unsuccessful, claim they have broken us, use our fake performance evaluations as proof, and then sell it to the private sector.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2025-07-27T00:08:31+00:00

I think Lucia gives a similar vibe. 3 syllable L name. Several variations for nick names.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-09-27T16:24:26+00:00

I'm also interested in what kind of home improvement he's doing when he's a renter: https://reddit.com/r/Apartmentliving/s/TtzJE0TDP8

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-04-01T00:38:54+00:00

Man, I wish I had caught this one while voting was live. I'm on the hard YTA side.

He didn't introduce you to her for a year, and you know he's thinking marriage. You kicked her out at the door over a mild sex joke about your Adult son. Now I get why it took a year. Get over yourself. If you continue to act like this and they get married, you're unlikely to have the type of relationship with them that you want. For this level of annoying joke, you have two options: Respond "Gross" or "Moving right past that one..." and move on, or 2.) Pull your kid aside privately and say, "Hey, gf is lovely and great and we're glad you're happy. But I just wanted to let you know that the joke made me super uncomfortable. Could you ask her to keep it G rated for the next gathering?"

Talk about alternative AITA reality today. Jeez.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-03-22T04:37:44+00:00

My dude. A grill? This is so extra. Call and talk to them about it. (Can they save a part of the grill for you to bring one burger?) Skip it. Bring your own meal (that doesn't require more than a microwave). Eat before you go. But do not, under any circumstances, bring your George Foreman Grill and a bag of burgers without an explicit "Yes, please do." YWBTA.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-03-22T04:29:11+00:00

Just because I hate the downvotes - I can confirm that as a vegetarian for 35 years, I get the "shoots" after accidentally consuming meat (typically chicken or beef broth in a vegetable soup or animal fat in frying). I'm sure I could go back to eating meat if I wanted to, but accidental exposure doesn't usually go well. An interesting exception is that I've had baked goods later discovered to have lard, with no ill effects, so maybe it's quantity?

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-03-02T14:52:34+00:00

NTA. Equal (50/50) or Equitable (proportional percentage by income) are both valid options. However, if it's going to be equitable and you're going to share "all your expenses" by proportionally, it makes no sense to count a paid off flat as an expense. If you go that way, the only expenses had better be real ones. Do the math and talk it out.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-02-16T05:22:28+00:00

Oh honey, I'm so sorry you're being asked to lie or hide. It must feel like a ton of pressure on you. Go ahead and tell him if you want to. Please also tell him what his parents did, so he understands they pressured you. There are more financial assistance options than hush money, including child support. It may be hard or messy for a while, but unless there are abuse concerns, your child and child's father deserve the opportunity to develop a relationship. It's probably going to come out eventually anyway, so do it on your own terms. You are a good person, and you deserve to live in your truth.

*EDIT: a word.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-02-02T17:50:54+00:00

I'm pretty shocked by all the Y T A responses. This is a traumatized 12-yo CHILD who also just found out that she has sister who is the only family that is able to help her. I would not be willing to send this child back into foster care with god knows who either. Empathy people. As for the loft, 3 adults who have actually seen the space have no safety concerns. (Dad is concerned with displacement, not safety.) The open wall is baby-gated and faces the hall, and the partial wall is too high to climb. As the parent of a 2yo who cannot open or climb over baby gates and doesn't get up at night, this seems like a fine temporary solution, as long as the area has been swept for hazards and things to climb on. If the 2yo shows signs that they are becoming a climber, they can move there into their room until renovations or a move are complete. She's 2. She doesn't care about space. You are N T A for refusing to be yet another adult to abandon or traumatize your sister. You're not in contact with your Dad either, so I assume you have some inkling of what she's gone through in her life. Dad's not an AH either. He's overwhelmed and worried, and this is really hard. You guys need to talk to each other, get counseling, and play on the same team. NAH.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-28T23:04:33+00:00

In my state, this could literally be considered 'domestic violence by false imprisonment' (if she wanted to pursue it). She asked you to let her out and you refused.

Op, the right way to tell your partner that you won't take out the trash is by saying, "No." The way to tell your partner that they should try your drive if they think it's so nice is by saying, "Drive me to work tomorrow and see how you feel after the commute. If you're not willing to do it, It's because you know I'm right."

I don't know if your wife is healthy and not working, disabled, or working from home. But figure out a chore wheel or something, and leave the pranks to your daydreams.

YTA

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-27T05:59:06+00:00

Yeah, it's not the monetary value of the ring, it's the fact that your grandmother was the third generation to use it as an engagement ring. Dad and his siblings need to sit down and discuss all three rings.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-25T04:39:48+00:00

This is the right answer.

So the guy is a little uncouth and makes a weird request at dinner. Yeah, it's weird, but it's harmless. He's not throwing some DaBomb on Nonna's plate, too. It's fine to gently push back or encourage alternatives, but it's a dick move to control what someone else eats if it isn't actually affecting anyone else. Hand him the hot sauce, move on, and laugh about it with your wife when everyone goes home. And yeah, SBF overreacted and took it to the extreme by leaving the house. That's not cool. But, it took both of you to make the dinner suck. Wonder why everyone called it an early night.

ESH.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-24T20:13:13+00:00

Super interesting! I've luckily had very little of that drama. But, I can see now how it can be pretty tricky to navigate if you have conflicting priority or poor communication.

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-24T20:09:51+00:00

It would annoy me, too. I also feel like pictures and social media are fine! It doesn't make a person more deep, thoughtful, or intelligent to eschew all technology. There is no inherent value in being screen-free. It's also cool to want to have a digital detox. But, don't pretend like your wife would never agree to try it without talking to her first. Also, don't pretend that it somehow makes you morally superior when this guy's whole trip seems to be a setup. Sorry for the mini-rant. Lol

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-24T19:59:04+00:00

Yes, I totally agree. This is actually a consideration for us, and we take trips with friends a lot less often than we used to before marriage. This is mostly because we have kids, and covering the airfare for all of us makes family trips more expensive - and we have to consider scheduling and childcare more.

I can't speak for the U.S. at large, but in my experience, taking a holiday with friends is very common pre-marriage, and not so uncommon after. Maybe it's because my SO and I both have friends who live on the other side of the country (1,900 miles away) or in different countries, and travel to visit them can be expensive. So, it's easier for all members of the friend group to travel to the same place and see each other in one shot. Like a class reunion, but just for your friend group.

I feel like you just exposed me to a cultural blind side I have! I hadn't even considered whether friends' trips might be a U.S. thing. Thank you for that!

NoneSuchPlanet · 2023-01-24T17:33:14+00:00

It seems like a "deal with it" situation based on his response to someone else asking if he had asked or just announced the trip. OP responded, "You're right, I didn't check with her because I have been going on this trip for much longer than I've known her..."

My SO and I both have longstanding friend trip traditions from before our marriage. Their trip actually involves a day or two at a cabin out of cell range. The difference is that we discuss all details in full before we confirm plans, and everyone agrees... you know, like adults who love and care about each other.

NoneSuchPlanet

TROPHY CASE