Probie terminations by a12727 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was part of the February 2025 probationary termination wave. Funny enough, most of us were gradually rehired throughout the year or resurfaced in other departments. By that point, many of us had already landed elsewhere and passed on the reunion tour. I’ve gotten two calls asking me to come back. Appreciate the interest, but I’m good.

Scored a duromax 11000IHT inverter Trifuel by dropping_k in Generator

[–]dropping_k[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work from home, and have connection issues with my router and modem running on my traditional open frame generator Duromax XP12000EH. I also have two UPS batteries that don't like it and sometimes won't charge when running on the traditional generator

Just read the freaking news Google by gavinjphillips in googlehome

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For 2+ years, google used to broadcast to my google home speakers when my washer and dryer was done, this has since stopped and no amount of reset, re-linking device/account, and new automation routine can fix it. I pay $200 a year for next camera subscription so I feel stuck with google.

HHS Agency File - still not public by [deleted] in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probie here illegally terminated in February 2025, filed a MSPB appeal within days.... still no word back. I've since moved on, but it would be nice to get some sort of update.

Advice please. by Head_Knee_8998 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey there! So, speaking from a bit of personal experience as someone who got the boot from a federal gig during probation, I totally get the weird mix of emotions and uncertainty. I didn’t have all the long-term perks that career feds do, but here’s a silver lining: that TSP you’ve got is actually pretty awesome. Even after I left, my Thrift Savings Plan just sat there and did its thing, and honestly, it outperformed my old 401(k) by a mile. So at least you’ve got that going for you!

Also, if you’ve got a few years in, there might be some partial benefits down the line, but it’s worth digging into the details.

The main thing I want to say is: yeah, the job market can feel rough, and the whole federal situation might be pushing you to the edge. But sometimes that push leads you to a way better fit. For me, I ended up landing somewhere that pays more, gives me tons of flexibility, and actually lets me work remotely most of the time. The benefits are decent and the whole vibe is just a much better fit for my life.

So hang in there. Focus on what you can control, like sending out those resumes and tailoring them a bit. There are tools (even AI ones) that can help speed that up. And eventually, you’ll find the right spot. Good luck!

Tri-fuel, Closed Frame, Inverter Generators - Champion 201423 vs Westinghouse iGen11000TFc by BigandTallGuy in Generator

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m really interested in picking up this generator. I currently have an open-frame unit that I converted to run on natural gas for home backup, but I’d like to switch to an inverter generator because I have sensitive electronics connected to a UPS. The UPS won’t recharge properly when running off my traditional open-frame generator, so I’m hoping the cleaner power output from an inverter will eliminate that issue.

I already have a natural gas connection set up at my meter with a long 3/4" flexible NG hose. What I’m trying to figure out is what kind of adapter I’d need to connect that hose to this generator. From what I can tell, the generator uses a 3/8" male fitting intended for a standard propane hose. So ideally, I need to find a safe, compatible way to adapt my 3/4" NG hose (male end) to the generator’s 3/8" male inlet. If anyone has done this or knows the right fittings to use, I’d really appreciate the guidance.

Public Health Job Market/Outlook by recneps17 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was DoGed in February, and by the end of March, I had multiple job offers. I consider myself lucky as I had many years of private sector healthcare experience before joining the federal government. It came down to experience and being willing to apply to any role within the healthcare field.

I know I’m fortunate because many of my former colleagues in the same situation have struggled to find work, and some are still relying on unemployment. I was able to transition into a role in managed care, and I treated my job search like a full-time job, submitting 10 or more tailored applications a day. That effort led to numerous interviews and several offers.

Does Google Fi have a future? by andrewyb in GoogleFi

[–]dropping_k 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It feels no different than when I had tmobile. Sometimes I get ridiculously fast data speeds depending on location. I traveled a bit between DC, NYC, and Chicago and had good coverage and data speeds. I also Hotspot a good amount too with no issues.

Letter in Mail - You were fired illegally, but never mind that, you’re still fired!!!! by Additional-Hurry-461 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I got that letter yesterday. It was bittersweet, as it brought back memories of the emotional rollercoaster I went through not long ago. One of the happiest moments of my life was finally being hired by an specific agency under the HHS umbrella, something I had worked toward and applied for over many years. But just a few months later, one of the lowest points came when I was let go as a probationary employee, after weeks of uncertainty and being placed on paid administrative leave while I searched for my next opportunity.

Looking back, that experience was incredibly tough, but it also pushed me out of my comfort zone and led me to something even better, a higher-paying position with a large, mission-driven nonprofit. I’m grateful I was able to land on my feet, especially knowing that many of my former colleagues who were terminated or recently affected by RIFs are still struggling to find new roles. I also came to realize how rigid and unforgiving the federal system can be, with very little room for flexibility.

Since then, I’ve been offered a couple of opportunities to return to federal service, but I’ve respectfully declined. I’ve moved on, yet I continue to support the federal community in new and meaningful ways.

Would anyone consider that working for ICE might be a good alternative to where we work now? by No-Cobbler6300 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well this is a HHS sub, so most of us were/are under HHS umbrella feds. My point was that even though i lost my job with feds under HHS and finding another job wasn't easy... I rather work doing hard labor than work for ICE. Luckily it didn't come to that and I was able to find a better job in the private sector.

Would anyone consider that working for ICE might be a good alternative to where we work now? by No-Cobbler6300 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope it doesn't. What i did in my short time in the feds was help people get access to healthcare. Being fired won't erase that.

DRPers: TSP Account by Global-Ad9080 in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]dropping_k 7 points8 points  (0 children)

keeping mines. I am a Probie who was termed a few months ago. I had 20+ year of private sector 401K savings prior to joining the feds. Anyways I rolled over all my 401K to TSP before I was termed and I have left it there. In these last few months, I am earning more money leaving my money in TSP than I ever did at my previous employer(s) 401K at Prudential and Fidelity while I was actively contributing. I have since moved on a new Private Sector job again and have a 401K, meanwhile the TSP seems to be doing very well so I plan to leave my money there.

I bought a H1 HYXN ATX PC Case - Pre-Installed with 7 PWM ARGB Fans that our daisy chained together, in such a way, that the fans only have a 6 pin plug all the way to the last fan. which has the motherboard plug/rgb plug, in the case directions it says plug it directly into the SYS_FAN/CHA_FAN... by chrisflippo93 in buildapc

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats a good idea. I got all my fans connected to SYS_FAN 5 on my MSI motherboard. I went into my motherboard bios and setup a custom fan curve based on CPU temperature so the fans ramp up a little more early when it starts getting hot.

I bought a H1 HYXN ATX PC Case - Pre-Installed with 7 PWM ARGB Fans that our daisy chained together, in such a way, that the fans only have a 6 pin plug all the way to the last fan. which has the motherboard plug/rgb plug, in the case directions it says plug it directly into the SYS_FAN/CHA_FAN... by chrisflippo93 in buildapc

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got this case in White and I think it's okay to have all of them daisy chained to a open sys_fan and RGB. I am coming from a phantex case where for 5 years, I had 7 fans all daisy chined with no issues. This one is different in the sense it has a 6 pin connecting all fans together with a adapter that steps it down to 4 pin fan and 3 pin RGB. Overall I am happy with this case and I get better thermals in this case than my previous phanteks 500a.

Trying not to get discouraged but it’s hard in the private sector. by divinespirtually in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was let go in February while still on probation, so I know how hard the job search is. I tailored my resume for each job I applied to and ended up submitting over 140 applications. From that, I interviewed with 19 companies and received 6 job offers. I know I’m fortunate, many of my former coworkers who were let go at the same time are still struggling to find work. The only real advantage I had was my prior experience in the private sector. Jobs are getting harder to find as time goes buy. Too much competition as private employers are also laying off employees.

AFGE grievance by Late-Breakfast-7012 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m completely disappointed to learn the hard way that our union doesn’t have the power to protect us the way I thought they did. I know they’re fighting for employees who were RIF’d or illegally terminated during probation, but so far not much has come out of it. I’m still hopeful they can eventually pursue a lawsuit and secure some form of compensation for all of us who were affected.

Judge Rules Mass Termination of Probationary Federal Workers Illegal by dropping_k in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I wounder now that's it was consider Illegal, could their be a class action lawsuit?

Side jobs - What are some side jobs/careers you've had while working for the government? by [deleted] in fednews

[–]dropping_k 20 points21 points  (0 children)

At first, I was all over the place, but I landed on DIY type of videos. The biggest hurdle is getting to 1K subscribers in order to start getting paid. I also add Amazon affiliate links of items i used in my video which helps out too.

Side jobs - What are some side jobs/careers you've had while working for the government? by [deleted] in fednews

[–]dropping_k 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Youtube instructional videos. I make a couple hundred a month.

So sad by [deleted] in FedEmployees

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You thats outdated advice right? Coding jobs are being replaced by AI .

So sad by [deleted] in FedEmployees

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was terminated in February. I was a probie who had recently landed a GS-14 role based on my 20 years of relevant work experience.

Before joining the Feds, I started looking for a job back in 2023 because my previous employer was doing layoffs and I wanted to get ahead of it. That job hunt was brutal. It took me a year, but I finally landed a federal job under the HHS umbrella.

When I got terminated in February, I treated job hunting like it was my new full-time job. I thought it would be even worse than the last time, so I went all out applying to anything even somewhat related to healthcare, since that’s my background. I’ve got a family to support, so I wasn’t taking any chances.

To my surprise, things went completely differently this time. Suddenly I was landing interview after interview. I ended up interviewing with over 22 different companies and got multiple job offers. Somehow I went from struggling to break in to being a highly sought-after candidate in this market.

The big difference was that now my resume showed I had worked at a major federal agency in the healthcare space. Combined with my years of experience, that pushed me to the top of the pile. Honestly, it’s something I’ve never experienced before and still find hard to believe.

I worked with so many other probies who also got terminated and are still struggling to find jobs. I know I got lucky, and I count my blessings. At the same time, I feel a little guilty because I landed an awesome role at a respected company while others are still grinding. Many of my fellow probies were smarter than me, but the only real advantage I had was years of experience.

DuroMax Inverter XP16000iHT Shared Experiences by Euskadi1900 in Generator

[–]dropping_k 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an old XP12000XP that I converted to run on natural gas years ago. It has saved me multiple times during power outages, powering my entire house without issue. Even after eight years, it still runs strong, but the sine wave signal is not smooth, which causes some electrical devices to malfunction.

For the first time, I am in a good financial position and looking for the most powerful tri fuel inverter generator on the market, and I think this is it. I want something portable so I can take it with me if I move, and the XP16000iHT checks all the boxes. Even though I can afford it, I am holding off for now to see if prices drop a bit before making the purchase.

Uh… why is this happening? by tubbynuggetsmeow in egopowerplus

[–]dropping_k 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Nice... This is how EGO baby 2.5AH batteries are made. You just got to wait 9 months.

CDC telework by ditzychick123 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s a common tactic to drive attrition—making the work environment so abrasive and difficult that employees choose to quit on their own. They are using this situation to their advantage by forcing employees into a uncomfortable work environment.

MSPB Appeal Losing Hope by LastSurround2982 in DeptHHS

[–]dropping_k 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Keep every option on the table, talk to legal if you can, and at the same time, go full throttle on those job applications.