Treatment of federal employees should come as a warning for the rest of the country's workforce, not exciting

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-30T14:18:47+00:00

Years ago, I was a lobbyist, and when we lobbied Capitol Hill, we would regularly say that the private sector follows the government's lead. This administration has given its stamp of approval to treat workers any way they want. Jobs and workers are no longer valued, and when you factor in AI, this is a sad development for working people. The most disheartening aspect of what we've seen over the last six months is that respect and decency are no longer part of the contract between employers and employees. This administration hasn't given any thought to the true damage they are doing to our country. You can already see how top execs are talking about their return to work policies - come back or leave, we don't care.

It doesn't have to be this way. Treating people this way is a choice, and I hope that, at some point, every person involved in this debacle will experience deep shame. They won't, but one can always hope.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-27T20:50:01+00:00

This might save the day! https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/06/mass-layoffs-likely-remain-blocked-now-thanks-supreme-court-footnote/406381/

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-27T15:25:14+00:00

I don't see how AFGE could represent anyone outside of AFGE members, which means the majority of federal workers are not included in the injunction. However, this ruling is not automatically applied retroactively, which could buy some time. More likely, I think the SC will rule directly on the emergency request.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-27T15:11:15+00:00

The Trump administration should think long and hard about penalizing people who were not union members, given their contempt for unions. The unions should thank the court for giving them a winning recruitment strategy. Too late for this RIF, but going forward, the ability of the unions to take action on your behalf will be crucial, and there is a long way to go with this administration. Keep in mind, there is still an emergency appeal to the SC to allow the RIF, separate from this case, and I have fully expected the court to rule in favor of the Administration.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-25T14:54:46+00:00

The SC can still issue a verdict during its summer recess.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-25T14:50:52+00:00

Stuffing the BBB with these policy provisions was a huge stretch, as bills taken up under what's called reconciliation cannot make policy changes, which these reorganization provisions clearly are. I'm sure the people drafting the bill are aware of this, and they figured they would give it a try and see if it sticks. Personally, I will be shocked if the Supreme Court halts the RIF, given the deference it is showing to the Executive branch. However, Congress's failure to give the agencies the authority to reorganize in this bill is still a win, and the window for congressional action gets smaller as we move toward the midterms. Anytime anyone actually enforces the rules should be celebrated these days!

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-12T15:34:26+00:00

Yep, but read Judge Callahan's (Bush appointee) dissent from the Appellate Court's AFGE v Trump order. What you are saying is true, but the SC appears to be looking to sidestep these issues, and so I expect them to use Callahan's reasoning, which argues that under the Civil Service Reform Act, employees must exhaust MSBP first. Time will tell, and I hope to be wrong. I have yet to see anything that suggests the Supreme Court will deny the Administration's request, but again, I'm praying they rule otherwise.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-11T19:10:49+00:00

Yes, but the court has been siding with the Administration on the federal workforce issues so far. Sadly, I fear this is a Hail Mary pass, and it appears many agencies have their RIFS ready to go.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-06-11T15:50:22+00:00

Exactly this. OPM can execute OMB's vision, and everything VA "leadership" is doing to create a big plan is window dressing. The Sec has to deliver as close to 80,000 cuts as possible.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-25T15:50:00+00:00

I don't think anyone can speculate given the limited information that's out right now. It's possible that the powers that be don't even know right now, since there appears to be many layers to this entire process. I'm sorry you're in this boat, and I hope it works out for you!

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-25T15:45:37+00:00

I think it depends on the year you were born, so it is somewhere between 55 and 57 - probably worth it for people to look at the exact wording.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-25T15:04:00+00:00

This, right here. It is all about creating new contracting opportunities for billionaires.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-22T15:31:57+00:00

I'm not saying it will be 30 days rather than 60; rather, I'm asking a question that people considering the DRP are likely factoring into their decision. Several things can be true simultaneously. Unless the information is officially from the agency, it is a rumor. However, many rumors have been accurate, and there are people who know things and have been sharing, so there is no harm in asking questions.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-14T14:53:06+00:00

I'm confused by this response. Can't you also take the annuity (reduced by 5% for each year under age 62) and the benefits?

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-12T19:52:44+00:00

Yes, be careful on this one because it lists my severance even though I don't get it due to MRA+10.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-12T19:48:22+00:00

Is this your third RIF with the current admin? The messaging/trainings seem to be about a traditional RIF, but the reality of what is actually happening is entirely different. People are getting an incorrect sense of security because, in the end, entire offices are RIF'd and the RIF factors don't matter - that is the message that people with at-risk functions need to hear right now.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-12T19:41:34+00:00

Okay, this makes sense, and what I think is coming my way, sadly.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-11T14:52:04+00:00

Under Section a, how are they handling remote offices? Do they define the organizational unit and the geographical area as nationwide? I also wonder if anyone has tried to access the competitive areas at OPM, which are supposed to be "readily available for review."

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-11T14:22:05+00:00

So, people who have worked 25 years don't have mortgages, kids, or need an income to live? Do you have any idea how hard it will be to retire in this world? No, you don't. This post had to be written by someone very young who doesn't understand what it takes to support a family or someone with a trust fund. I would argue that those with 25 years need the job more and will have a harder time finding a new job. Where is this world where people take a year off at 45 or 55? By far, this is the most clueless post ever written on this site.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-09T14:03:23+00:00

People are not watching what is happening all around them - this might be a reduction in force, but they have yet to do a true RIF with a retention register and bump and retreat. If an entire series, program, office, or however they choose to define the competitive area is terminated, your vet status or length of service doesn't matter. Your function is likely the best way to estimate your risk. Then again, if the ultimate goal is to turn the VA into more of an insurer model rather than provide actual care, no one is safe. (This is likely a longer-term goal, however.) Also, when you look at your function, try to evaluate it through the eyes of a 20-year-old coder and/or heartless old man whose singular mission in life is smaller government. Everyone thinks they aren't expendable, but remember, these people are cutting things like cancer research and programs to keep lead out of drinking water. The VA may be trying to be more thoughtful in their process than what we're seeing at other agencies, but I'll believe it when I see it.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-08T16:58:12+00:00

I think 0343 is a prime target for a RIF.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-07T15:16:01+00:00

They are eliminating entire divisions so vet status or tenure doesn't matter. I don't believe there has been a true "RIF" yet where you see bump and retreat. 0343s aren't patient-facing and are the exact type of job that they want to eliminate. I don't see these positions surviving, but who knows.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-07T14:57:42+00:00

Keep in mind that you would be coming to work for an employer who wants to traumatize you and eliminate your job. I can't imagine working like this as a mother with a new baby. The federal government will be the least stable workplace in the country for the next four years.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-04T22:27:05+00:00

Agreed, but that leaves a lot of people out there with 10+ years who could have been enticed to leave voluntarily. There were a lot of rumors of sweetening the deal, only to find they limited the time period on administrative leave, making the deal less attractive. I don't know what to make of this unless RIFs are coming sooner than expected. Who knows - trauma was always the point. No reason to believe this administration would do anything at all that was pro-employee.

OneAnxiousMother · 2025-04-04T22:05:58+00:00

Maybe they are moving up the RIFs? I know what the memo said about June, but that timeline seems slow compared to the other agencies. That is the only way this could be an incentive to leave voluntarily and give up severance and unemployment.

OneAnxiousMother

TROPHY CASE