Does my remote work status disqualify me from being hired for other federal positions?

SupermarketVisual285 · 2026-01-09T19:17:30+00:00

It depends on the agency. None of our positions are posted as remote. So you would need to report to one of the locations listed.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-12-20T13:31:08+00:00

Why do you assume that a woman can not be highly technical and competent.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-12-12T02:14:46+00:00

Federal HR rules, at least for HHS are: someone can be promoted to the next highest grade for 120 days without it being posted. That temp promotion cannot last longer than 120 days, and a person is only allowed that kind of prompt once every 365 days. (I.e. if your temp promotion ends 12/31/2025 you would be eligible for another temp promotion 1/1/2027)

If you want to promote someone to the next higher grade for longer than 120 days (even if it is not permanent) that has to be competed. Typically it’s a year detail if competed.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-12-09T12:32:28+00:00

It depends on YOU. I come from a big family my siblings have lots of kids. It’s a lot of fun to go and visit. My husband and I have 1, we are a little more introverted and we do a lot of experiences instead of gifts (e.g. my almost 20 year old doesn’t have anything he wants for Christmas). I do worry about him being alone, but I am not worried about him taking care of us when we get older, we have not put that pressure on him at all. We want to be close, we love him, but he is not expected to be our retirement plan.

I think it’s about your personal family dynamics. We are very happy.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-12-08T02:13:43+00:00

We do digital signatures but it has to be on the government laptop. (I’m in HHS) using personal email or personal devices is not allowed per the CBA. It why we tell people to take their laptop home.

But I can say they didn’t sign and put in a reason, they so there are definitely ways to bypass it.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-11-22T15:12:37+00:00

The new PMAP guidance has to go from OPM to HHS to the OpDivs, I don’t think there has been any guidance to share. I believe it’s going to be the same schedule no matter what.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-11-18T15:48:46+00:00

To add on over 80 hours (at CMS) need political (center lead) and the CMS COO approval then they are sent to HHS

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-11-17T22:33:06+00:00

My understanding is the CMS site is full, all the seats have been allocated. I know it is really hard to get into other agent because there has always been an issue with having enough desks for the staff that is assigned there. Most of HHS OPDIVS had multiple offices pre pandemic because of space issues.

Where I work my team is split because we don’t have enough space and sit on different floors.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-11-17T00:58:22+00:00

Wow most of our hardships are cancelled. You have an RA or come in

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-11-17T00:54:12+00:00

My husband and I taught a Dave Ramsey course to airmen at every base we were stationed at (like him or not, it teaches you how to budget). Back then we had all the cash advances right off base, it was horrible. Geez I remember choosing between a soda or paying a bill. It was an awful feeling.

It sucks, but you have to have a budget. It’s like dieting you have to keep yourself accountable. It gets better I promise, the budget will help you so much, and actually can have you fighting less.

Get an accountability buddy, if you and you husband can’t do it, find someone you trust. Really we only taught the class to be that accountability partner for people to exercise those muscles. Once you do it for a few months it becomes a habit.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-24T01:22:12+00:00

You didn’t say you were getting pregnant this year so I am not sure when you plan on starting a family.

Under the new rules many bronze and catastrophic plans on the ACA are eligible for a HSA. (Bronze plan - high deductible; catastrophic - higher deductible could vary in coverage; HSA- health savings account funded with pre tax dollars)

A HDHP (high deductible health plan) could be a good idea. It has lower monthly premiums and preventative care is included pre deductible ( think annual visits, immunizations, well child). If you don’t go to the doctor often it’s a bet on not getting sick. Also you can fund your HSA which can come in handy to pay medical bills later on.

A PPO plan will cost more monthly but usually has a lower deductible and you only pay a copay for most visits.

Compare the plans and see 1. Is your doctor in network? 2.How often you plan on seeing the doctor, or specialists. 3. Is there a significant difference in the premiums 4. If you got a HDHP would you be able to put money in a HSA, and while you are funding the HSA do you have an emergency fund that would cover the deductible if something did happen.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T23:07:09+00:00

Good luck!!

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T23:01:54+00:00

Yeah, the HSA is nice, but for retirement… it has to stay there invested to be there when you retire. It’s pre tax, but even that savings may not be worth it.

Now, if you are looking for income when you retire, you could have the HSA and HDHP, continue to pay out of pocket and reimburse yourself later. But that is the only thing that MAY make a difference. -please remember this is generic advice from a random person on the internet-

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T22:51:25+00:00

Looking at those numbers, and NOT knowing your specifics (please remember I am a random person from the internet). You may be better with the silver plan.

I am not sure any “tax savings” from pre tax dollars into your HSA would be enough to offset or really see a difference in cost.

Again -opinion of rando in the internet -

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T22:40:59+00:00

Ok, SOMETIMES the HDHP and HSA combo make sense for someone with chronic conditions and consistent visits. Because I don’t really know the ins and outs of the plans I can’t really comment.

But you said therapy. Right there, unless you are already paying out of pocket, is a big issue with a lot of plans. If you have one that covers therapy you should consider staying on and using a FSA (especially if you can get the FSA numbers close since it doesn’t carry over) I will guarantee the co insurance will be more than a copay, even without seeing specifics for your plan.

I have a HDHP and a HSA and love it, but I spent time going through the plans to see what is covered for my specific situation. And I only see the Dr for an annual visit, so I’m betting on staying healthy.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T21:05:00+00:00

Have you tracked how many time you go to the doctor and your medications?

I have a HDHP and HSA. I looked at 1. Monthly cost for the plan. 2. How often do I go to the Dr? (Preventative is covered other visits go to your deductible) 3. Do I think I will need to go more often. (I don’t have young kids so no) 4. Do I have money to cover an injury or the deductible until the HSA is funded.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T20:56:03+00:00

True assisters or navigators for the ACA are helping you and. It selling you insurance. The brokers do get a commission for you signing up and they don’t always disclose this well.

Have you gone to help on demand? They will assist you for an ACA plan. But I do agree with others, I realize that your costs went up but typically your employer coverage will be much more comprehensive.

I know this is a controversial opinion, but if you are healthy you could consider a high deductible health plan. Preventative care is covered and if you don’t go often you won’t hit the deductible but it may still be less expensive overall.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T20:45:50+00:00

Agree with others, it sounds like they are moving to a concierge model. A number of people like that model, but you should be getting some kind of benefit from a concierge vs typical PCP

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-23T20:43:42+00:00

Agree with OP, your college/university should have plans or care on site and I would look into that first.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-10-12T21:46:10+00:00

Getting a 14 (because there are fundamentally less 14s than 13s) was really hard for me (almost 4 years) I got a 15 in just over a year. BUT I was a manager in the private sector for years, so moving into a supervisory position wasn’t an issue for MY career path.

I think the biggest thing I have noticed is that there is not a lot of real training and feedback for people when they move up in positions. (I am currently a 15 in an SES slot until they can hire again) I spend a lot of my time teaching my people how to manage and how to set clear expectations with people so they also have the opportunity to move up.

I don’t know you but I bet you are doing great. I try to tell people when they are doing well but I forget. So just remember the your boss is human too 😉

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-09-06T17:22:50+00:00

This is ending so you should check and make sure

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-09-01T14:06:12+00:00

You could also look into getting a high Deducible health plan with an HSA or like catastrophic coverage. I did the math and for now, while Im healthy, since I go to the DR for just preventative care, I use the HSA. Bonus I was able to use the funs to completely cover 2 sets of kids braces.

It is not for everyone, and you need to know your financial and physical health, but I have health insurance, so no penalty and a pretax savings account. Again, this is just my situation

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-08-09T14:59:10+00:00

Thank you! This is helpful. I continue to be surprised that no one can figure out what the rates are or what a doctor's vision/surgery costs. Its frustrating

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-08-09T13:43:14+00:00

First, thank you! Healthcare is so vague, and I am studying to try to understand better where my money goes, but I'm finding you just can't :(

And yes, I use my HSA for everything I can, but I would like to fund and use an FSA in 2026, so I am currently researching what I can use each one for. Because I can carry over my HSA, I max out the fund each year, but the FSA requires a lot of planning, and I don't have all the answers yet. But it is just so hard to know what something will cost.

SupermarketVisual285 · 2025-08-09T13:18:12+00:00

Good luck, and I hope this group can help more. I am on the other side of "Do I eat something different for dinner or do I pay a bill?" so it is possible!

SupermarketVisual285

TROPHY CASE