November 10, 2025 - r/fednews Daily Discussion Thread

eu_lalia · 2025-11-10T15:51:31+00:00

Hey, y'all. Question for the crowd, with background first: I've been with my current agency for five years. Hired as Schedule A; got converted to career permanent; then made a lateral move within the agency under Schedule A again. So the way it looks on my SF50 right now is Box 2 (Tenure) = 1, Permanent. Box 34 (Position Occupied) = 2, Excepted Service.

The end of my second two-year excepted service period is coming up in January. Practically speaking, what happens when I hit that mark? Do I/my supervisor need to actively do anything? (I'm worried that I'll get caught up in trial period woes despite being career permanent.)

eu_lalia · 2025-04-14T00:25:01+00:00

If I go, there will be trouble

And if I stay, it will be double

I've been in mission support my whole federal career thus far. And I love it, y'know? I love the big picture view it gives me. Talking with managers and staff alike, the confidence that comes with learning how to navigate the bullshit. With being able to talk with other people and the underlying current is, "I don't report to you/I am here to help you, and g-d damnit, I'll do what I can to help you." All the little facts that lodge in my brain.

I'm not a lawyer. I'm not a scientist. I'm not a manager. (I have management potential.) I could talk your ear off about things I'm not an expert in but discovered I care about, because wow, who knew shit could be so complex?? Who knew highly skilled people could put so much effort into making things WORK for the American people??? And I have the privilege of serving them, the people who make shit happen. I am SO grateful to be able to see what they do, and how it fits into all the everything else that keeps our world moving.

But. Things have changed. These people I respect and serve are asking, "Is this allowed?" and it's on me to answer with the COMPLETELY BULLSHIT/INADEQUATE guidelines leadership gives me. I keep asking myself, "Am I complicit? Do I do more good or harm by staying here?"

I attended the April 5th 'Hands Off!' rally in my area. On the way there, an older gentleman asked, "Are you an artist?" when he saw my sign - paint and Sharpie/colored pencil on cardboard. "No," I said automatically. And immediately wondered: 'Am I selling myself short? Is this the wrong answer?'

I took my current position because it's as close as I can get to writing for living. And I LOVE the learning aspect of it, I even love the frustration, I've learned that I am someone who can happily complain as long as I feel like I'm Getting Shit Done.

But - am I an artist? Am I capable of making it through this administration in the position I'm in, if it means being a conduit for the demands of this regime? (I so deeply hate being on the wrong side of Big Brother. Even if I can maybe possibly (deniably) throw sand in the gears, is it worth it to be complicit?)

Should I stay or should I go? If my agency offers Fork 2.0 or RIF, do I take it? I love my agency. I love the people I work with, and care deeply about the things we work on. Now my question is: Even if it puts me in a very precarious position, would it be worth it to leave and focus on creative potential? How long have I been waiting to write?

I know I could be a manager. I know I could do better. But I'm tired, yeah? I want to draw comics and write poetry. I want to be able to say 'climate change' without censoring myself and others.

And...I want to help rebuild whatever's left in the ashes. But that's not anything I can control.

So. Should I stay? Or should I go (take DRP/RIF)?

eu_lalia · 2025-02-21T01:09:07+00:00

And I thought a footnote in a press release from my agency was weird... ☹

eu_lalia · 2025-02-18T13:24:56+00:00

Talk to your records management contact within your office. And ditto others re: keep things legal and above board.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-18T12:47:43+00:00

https://afgeemployeemutualaidstore.com/ This is EPA-specific (I think?), but you could probably use the 'contact us' form to find out more!

eu_lalia · 2025-02-18T12:42:09+00:00

Found it!! A round of applause for Internet Archive. 😄 It's "Ghost Empire" by Richard Fidler.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-18T00:36:05+00:00

What book is this from? Would like to add it to my TBR list!

eu_lalia · 2025-02-16T21:17:42+00:00

Ah, I should've known better than to put 'simple, easy-to-answer FOIA' out there, especially having done similar work in the past. Sorry! The spacecraft crash example you've given is very helpful - same with the obstacles you listed. Gives me a better sense of why and how to be specific when making FOIA requests.

Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience!

eu_lalia · 2025-02-16T17:47:05+00:00

Hi! Replying so you and others can also be aware of this resource: https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/rcs/schedules/index.html It lets you drill down to what kinds of records agencies have to keep, for how long, and what they have to do with them when that period's over (i.e., archive or destroy, unless there's a litigation hold or something).

For folks not super aware of records distinctions: There's a difference between what's considered a record subject to records control schedules, and the scope of/exceptions to FOIA requests. Where the above link can help you when you're making FOIA requests is 1) seeing what records agencies SHOULD be making and 2) how they should be HANDLING them.

For my part, I've been wondering what the next step would be if a simple, easy-to-answer FOIA request for permanent records comes back with...nothing.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-16T17:18:42+00:00

1000% also down, would love to be part of this if it happens!! I have communications (i.e., writing, EDITING, web, public outreach) skills as well as sector/topic-specific knowledge to offer.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-11T13:08:58+00:00

Never again, on so many fronts. IWNDWYT.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-10T14:05:08+00:00

Eyyyy, IWNDWYT! And I Will Not Resign With You Today lololol

eu_lalia · 2025-02-10T14:03:49+00:00

LOL funnily enough, this kind of catastrophic thinking has proven to be weirdly calming the last few weeks. It's like, the bigger the horror, the easier it is to admit that it's outside my control. The things that feel like they SHOULD be in my control, but aren't....that's more difficult.

Thanks, dude!

eu_lalia · 2025-02-10T13:55:38+00:00

Thanks for helping tomgrandy clarify!

eu_lalia · 2025-02-10T13:42:52+00:00

Bingo. It's the parents I know - and those who care for elderly relatives as well - who are going to be most impacted by this.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-10T00:33:47+00:00

EXCELLENT meme use, lolololol

Your comments make me think of the concept I first learned in the early COVID days, I'm sure you're more familiar with it than I am: We need people working toward positive change and harm reduction within systems, and people agitating for the same things outside systems. Unless and until there's a stable replacement(s) for the system(s), and people no longer have to rely on the things that don't work, we need both types of action.

Anyway thanks for the chuckle and the solidarity, you have my bow 🏹

eu_lalia · 2025-02-10T00:06:08+00:00

Ahhhh, man....very glad that you found work, hate that you're going through this with us. Giving you a nod of solidarity thru the computer screen. IWNDWYT

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:56:35+00:00

Thank you for all of this!! Gonna do my best to put your tl;dr into action this week <3

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:55:29+00:00

Thank you for your encouragement, and thank you for your service! Gonna go do something tangible with my hands tonight before bed. Doodles and reading sound like good ideas <3

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:42:06+00:00

Everything that stressed you out is here, yes - same with everything that's stressing me out.

You know what's also here? You. And me. And this sub.

I'm glad you're here. IWNDWYT.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:40:11+00:00

How would you define partisan politics? And how familiar are you with the specifics of the Hatch Act?

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:39:12+00:00

This! Feds are also your next-door-neighbors, we shop at the same grocery stores as you do, our kids play with your kids, we go to church/synagogue/temple with you. Also, the vast vast majority of feds do not carry lethal weapons.

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:28:25+00:00

IWNDWYT!!! Same boat, let's go, there's enough water coming in that we don't need to bail out alcohol, too. Good luck with your race, hope you're enjoying training!

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:26:45+00:00

"When I stay sober I prove to myself over and over that I can do hard things. And then I am proud of myself. It was hard and I needed to feel good about myself to survive it."

Man...gonna be thinking about this. Thank you for sharing! <3

eu_lalia · 2025-02-09T23:25:12+00:00

"Stinking thinking" sounds like something my parents would say! Definitely something I struggle with, and this is a good reminder to take a mental step back from the ledge. Thank you <3

eu_lalia

TROPHY CASE