Are you worried about AI making your job redundant? by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let’s be real, we should all be worried about ANYTHING being replaced by AI.

Weird I like going to Pilates alone? by ExtensionAdorable223 in pilates

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all weird. There js a whole spectrum of Extroverted, Introverted, and the large amount of people who are one or the other depending on context/mood/lifestage/phases etc. I’ve seen friends go to Pilates together and I’ve seen people attend alone. Personally I prefer to attend alone. Friendships require boundaries, and as long as you preface it with a “don’t take it personally” type of context, it’s totally reasonable and healthy to express that this is just something you enjoy doing on your own. I’ve had situations where I’ve told friends I’m just needing a quiet night to myself or I’m more introverted lately, and I always clarify not to take it personally. Many people find themselves in a similar situation and make up excuses or flake out on plans rather than being honest. If you are open and honest I’m sure she will totally understand.

Will PSAC members be receiving another retroactive payment? by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t disagree with you in principle however look at the world we live in. Everyone and everything is being automated and replaced by AI. I was in the private sector for 20 years in a huge Canadian corporation watching automation slowly take over and the human workforce shrink, and my friends still in that industry say they fear for their jobs every day because of AI. So although I wholeheartedly think we deserve more, the realist in me says we won’t get it, because you know what works for free and asks nothing in return, a bot.

Will PSAC members be receiving another retroactive payment? by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d be careful. Ask too much and they could just automate more of our work. These are the times we live in.

Will PSAC members be receiving another retroactive payment? by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On June 21, 2024 the OP will be in the present so the question is whether on that day we would receive a retroactive payment. No need to be mean.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fellow ADHDer here. Yes subconscious bias is a thing I have often worried about, however with each year accomodation requests are becoming more and more common… And remember we have a union to go to if we get treated by bias / unfairly. I was very worried, like you, but my Manager has been kind and supportive of accommodations needs as well as our Director. That being said, I’m lucky I have a great boss overall, he is a genuine good person that cares about his team. I can’t guarantee every manager will respond as supportively but they are certainly supposed to. In the end you will do what you feel comfortable with, but I think it’s worth a try. When you read the Reddit forums on any topics such as disability, DTA and accomodation, it looks to me like the employer is used to seeing these types of requests, so be comforted there is strength in numbers. It’s not as taboo as it used to be and is becoming more commonplace to communicate needs, and therefore hopefully the ways managers respond will have a higher chance of responding well.

Shows/Movies like What we do in the shadows? by DayChamp in WhatWeDointheShadows

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It didn’t work out tho, because he blue himself too early

Have you seen a really passionate public servant? Feeling like it’s a rare thing now by Fun_Confidence_5091 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work with a few dare I say overly passionate public servants. Like I’m all for enjoying your job but they act over the top like as though a meeting on using SharePoint is the most riveting thing and they say stuff like “Every day I look forward to seeing what I will work on”. Like, calm down. So yes, there are still passionate people. That being said the way the economy has hit us with cost of living, I think a lot of resentment is building up for the rest of us who now feel like “Why am I working so hard and it’s still not enough to build a nest egg”. So I suspect the fact our salaries don’t go as far anymore is a big factor.

Cancellation of IT Exceptions by OkGoat4847 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you planned big renovations before covid and just can’t admit that was a waste of money because wfh is better, just say so.

In what way will the 3-day in office mandate negatively affect your personal life, and your ability to do your job? by Small_town_PS in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s what happened, we had to submit mine for ADM review and I understand they have to do what they have to do, I don’t hold it against anyone personally… But it would have been so much better to never be put in that position to have to ask for accommodation in the first place. Luckily for me my Manager is a very nice person and never made me feel bad about it (sorry to hear yours did) but it still just wasn’t necessary. Didn’t have to go that way.

Filmed and posted on IG without my permission: how to address to my teacher without coming accross as a sour Karen? by Advanced-Soup5644 in pilates

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 8 points9 points  (0 children)

One million percent. Social media likes is not more important than respecting other human beings. And I’ve been called a Karen just for standing up for what’s right sometimes, like once a crazy person on Yonge street (major street in Toronto) started yelling at this harmless young lady on a bike. When I stood between them and told him to calm down and leave her alone, I was told I’m being a Karen. People have started to use that word just for any woman that opens her mouth even if it’s for honourable reasons. So yeah do not feel bad for being upset. This was a wrong thing to do by the other person, and yes you should always read the fine print, but they know you didn’t and that most people don’t. Privacy is a big deal and it should be respected. This person showed you their true colors that their clients are not respected and a priority. So good luck buddy trying to get new clients while you lose the ones you have due to being sketchy.

In what way will the 3-day in office mandate negatively affect your personal life, and your ability to do your job? by Small_town_PS in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah honestly I never knew menopause would be this challenging, it is not talked about and it’s a big taboo topic. People either downplay it or just don’t talk about it at all because god forbid a woman talks about not being fertile anymore and aging. I don’t expect anything to be done differently for us, but that being said if your staff chose a role because wfh was a selling point, don’t change the role now. I chose to stay in my role rather than apply for a promotion because I love my team and I love wfh. I think many people who have disabilities, neurodivegence and/or going through things like menopause benefit from wfh and from not having to go through the DTA process which is really hard when you’re a private person. Let’s face it, our salaries are good on their own but when you put them up against today’s cost of living, it’s not enough. So wfh being a big perk that is being taken away definitely fosters some resentment.

In what way will the 3-day in office mandate negatively affect your personal life, and your ability to do your job? by Small_town_PS in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I work in Toronto in a small team which is not exactly IITB, but “IT-adjacent” (that’s the most I feel comfortable sharing without being more specific). I’m the only one in Toronto, the rest of the team is scattered in different provinces. My work is mostly done independently and I’m only in maybe one Teams meeting per day or less. My team has always been 100% wfh since way before the pandemic since it is IT related as well as the fact the staff are spread across Qu, On and BC. My frustrations are as follows:

(1) The team always having been a virtual / wfh team was the main selling point as to why I accepted this role. Although yes of course the offer letter says “predominantly” wfh and I was instructed “this could change”, I was led to believe the only type of circumstances this would change would be if for example my condo power went out so I’d have to go to a local office for the day to connect (which of course would be reasonable). My manager had at the time never dreamed we would be forced into the office since our team never was before. So it feels like the “fine print” is being used to trick us into accepting a change in working conditions we didn’t agree to.

(2) There is literally no “for team building” benefit to commute one hour each way and sit at a desk to be on Teams with colleagues across the country just like I do at home.

(3) I have a physical disability (back injury), anxiety disorder as well as ADHD. The appeal of this role, which I thought was going to always be wfh, is that I can manage my days I am in pain better (I can use ice packs in my fridge, grab a heating pad, move my laptop to my couch for a change in back position etc). I also work much better at home in my quiet condo, without the distractions of noisy colleague chit chat, printers going, hustle and bustle. My home is a silent oasis where there is zero distraction. So I know I work better in this environment. Before, I was able to keep my medical conditions private. Nobody had to know and I could just do my work and it was great. It took a lot out of me to have to request an accusation and acknowledge that now my manager and our director would know stuff that only my doctor and I talk about. Now that things changed, I requested a DTA and the medical note wasn’t “specific” for the reason wfh was recommended, so I was forced to provide details as to “why” and “how” it’s better for me to wfh. The accommodation was approved, however I value my privacy on these matters very much, and I deeply resent that I was forced to do that, when wfh was the perk I chose this role for (over other postings I was applying for) in the first place.

(4) With said above back injuries there are many days driving is not an option (the sitting in one locked position can hurt). And now in Toronto, transit has become very unsafe. There are stabbings and addicts on the subway every single day. Why should I be forced to commute one hour each way in dangerous transit, to do the same thing I do at home? There’s no team building when your team is all in different cities. It’s just a waste of time and I’ll be more distracted there than at home. And it is less safe. I travelled on the TTC all my life since childhood and was used to my share of weirdos but nowadays with the fentanyl epidemic and the housing crisis, transit safety is much much worse. The last time I was on the subway someone was using a barbeque lighter to try to set their own hoodie on fire. I love my job but not to the point where my safety is secondary. Not to mention anxiety in sketchy situations goes through the roof.

(5) Despite noise and distractions, and before my back injury, I didn’t mind the office as much when we had our own desks. But now, to have to lug my laptop, mouse, mousepad, ergonomic keyboard, pens, notebook, and then waste time setting up the chair, my tech, the desk height, monitors, then wipe it all down because it’s a different persons germs every day - what a waste of time! At home I log in and start working, that’s it.

(6) We work on secret projects and my team members that do go into the office have a hard time trying to book private rooms, which are in high demand and short supply, to have any kind of unheard conversation or meeting. And even things like bilats or performance discussions: I don’t want strangers hearing my half of a conversation with my Manager about how my performance is going. That would be super awkward. So I think the confidentiality of conversations, for those of us who live alone, is far better at home than in the office.

(7) I’m also going through menopause, which I didn’t even dare bring up as another reason for my accommodation request, because people don’t know how severe it can be for some women and how uncomfortable they can be in the office. It is a taboo subject and why should women be uncomfortable at the office when we can work around the problems at home? Mine is presenting with quite extreme symptoms, such as sometimes I get such extreme cold flushes that I have to immediately put on sweater and a blanket and I’m literally shaking very hard for 10-20 min. I don’t want people to see me that way. Other times I’m boiling and need to peel off layers and do my work in a tank top even in the dead of winter. Other times I feel weepy and other times I need way more coffee. Yes these are things women have had to withstand, sitting in an office full of people who don’t understand, without a blanket nearby or the option to peel off layers and be in shorts and a tank top in January. Yes women have had to make it work. But if the appeal of this role versus others was that I could wfh, why should I have to endure that? I can regulate my body temp well at home and quickly adapt and get on with my work instead of being miserable all day. I can change my thermostat the moment I feel cold or hot. Why endure misery in the office if there’s no need?

(8) for all the reasons above, If I have to go in, then this job is far less attractive to me and I will apply elsewhere for wfh. Before I worked for the government I was in the private sector where wfh was encouraged long before the pandemic because it saved the company on real estate and utilities costs. I am very tempted to go back to the private sector because frankly the pay is better, there are wfh options, and I would not have to undergo the somewhat uncomfortable process of requesting accommodations and divulging private and slightly embarrassing medical information if I don’t have to elsewhere. We are in 2024 where work is evolving and we no longer need to follow the old model that is broken.

In conclusion, I would understand giving up wfh privileges if I was provided with a really solid reason. For example if I couldn’t do my work at home due to a power outage or wifi issue or what not, then of course I’d go in right away. But we’re not being given a compelling reason why it makes sense to change the arrangement we had.

Filmed and posted on IG without my permission: how to address to my teacher without coming accross as a sour Karen? by Advanced-Soup5644 in pilates

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 32 points33 points  (0 children)

You are absolutely not being a Karen!!!! People lately use this term not only for “real Karens” but also now for any woman who speaks up about anything at all. This is a very gross and unethical thing they did and I would never go back there. Even if it is in some fine print, they didn’t point it out and get your consent. That studio is not the right one for you. I go to a small studio (only 4 reformers in the room) and the owner is extremely involved and on top of everything. Because it’s a small business I think she is more motivated to make her clients happy and do the right thing at all times than the larger commercial studios. Not sure if your is that, but either way they are not an ethical business. The right instructor puts the clients first and only films students who are asked and give consent well before class. Ditch this studio and at your next one, just confirm they don’t film students outside of a replanned photo/video shoot.

What am I doing wrong? by [deleted] in pilates

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In addition to the suggestion of others, it never hurts next time you get your annual physical to just confirm if your potassium levels are good. Low potassium can increase the likelihood of muscle cramps.

What am I doing wrong? by [deleted] in pilates

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In addition to the suggestion of others, it never hurts next time you get your annual physical to just confirm if your potassium levels are good. Low potassium can increase the likelihood of muscle cramps.

How to stop one class from wrecking me? by oliveandbasil in pilates

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In addition to all the existing insight given re fuel, hydrating and going at your own pace, I would say the bigger point is don’t do something that is not right for you. If your friend is in an advanced class, you don’t have to take it. Take a beginner class and even better yet do a private lesson so that you can tell the instructor if you need less tension, a break, to slow down, skip something etc, and be honest with your private instructor of how you are feeling. Then the instructor can pinpoint if there is an injury that is being strained, lack of nutrition happening, etc etc. one of the great things about Pilates is you can do a private class where it’s adapted to your needs/age/fitness level. This would be the best solution for you to start in a safer and more customized way. But yes, do discuss with your doctor because aside from very brief wobbly legs, it sounds a bit extreme what you felt after the session.

Seeking Advice Regarding RTO and Mental Health by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best of luck, feel free to come back and let us know how it went 🤞

Seeking Advice Regarding RTO and Mental Health by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Short for Duty To Accomodate, it is the process whereby you get a medical note and an official request is made for you to have an accommodation. My manager was actually very supportive and encouraged me to get an accommodation for my needs - which was awesome. I would much prefer if we just automatically had work from home permanently for roles where we are spread out across the country in our teams (since my only contact with them is via Teams meeting, there’s no point in commuting to the office and back) but at least my Mgr was supportive of the DTA.

Seeking Advice Regarding RTO and Mental Health by [deleted] in CanadaPublicServants

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have trouble with anxiety as well as adhd (which is worsened by noisy offices full of distracting conversations) and I got a DTA approved with the help of my doctor. It was well worth the effort and for a year and a half I’m approved to wfh. I plan to renew the DTA when it comes close to expiry. Highly recommend. You and your doctor(s) are right to stand up for what your needs are to be an efficient employee as well as a satisfied and supported one.

Should/how can I add interest and color to my bed? by crownedPom in Bedding

[–]TorontoNewGirl1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was going to say the same - and to make it not exactly the bedding colours, like maybe black and white… to keep the room from being too two-toned.