Capella
Footballguy
From a good source, or just nonsense floating around?
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Government employee thread! (Being a government employee is sweet) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter flapgreen
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Orange&Blue
Footballguy
They've been accurate before about general pay increases, but I don't know why they seem to be in the know
dgreen
Footballguy
The White House proposed 5.2% and Congress proposed 8.7% for 2024. They can obviously go back on that, but that's what's been out there for a while.
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
that doesn't mean anything
-OZ-
Footballguy
Trying to wrap my head around my next move, although it’s far from a lock I’d like to be mentally prepared.
I currently like my job quite a bit. Great supervisors, tech chain to the agency head is fantastic, no complaints. Telework 60%, in the office 2 days a week, changing schedule for the summer (RDOs) and back to straight 8s for the school year no issue at all. Really couldn’t ask for a better boss, senior boss, etc. work is interesting enough and if I stay long enough I’ll be a 15 equivalent without competing.
But, last week a job opening was posted for my ideal job in a different agency, one of the smallest agencies (I’m currently in the largest agency). Fully remote with some travel doing what I really enjoy. The job gets up to a 15 faster (either immediate or within two years). If this job were open in a few years I’d jump on it for sure. I can see staying in the job well into my 60s.
I applied. If interviewed and asked, I’d probably tell them I haven’t decided whether to take the position. I don’t really want my boss to know I applied yet, though I don’t think she’d be upset, just concerned that she’d lose another from her team.
Really not sure what to do other than proceed and see what happens.
I currently like my job quite a bit. Great supervisors, tech chain to the agency head is fantastic, no complaints. Telework 60%, in the office 2 days a week, changing schedule for the summer (RDOs) and back to straight 8s for the school year no issue at all. Really couldn’t ask for a better boss, senior boss, etc. work is interesting enough and if I stay long enough I’ll be a 15 equivalent without competing.
But, last week a job opening was posted for my ideal job in a different agency, one of the smallest agencies (I’m currently in the largest agency). Fully remote with some travel doing what I really enjoy. The job gets up to a 15 faster (either immediate or within two years). If this job were open in a few years I’d jump on it for sure. I can see staying in the job well into my 60s.
I applied. If interviewed and asked, I’d probably tell them I haven’t decided whether to take the position. I don’t really want my boss to know I applied yet, though I don’t think she’d be upset, just concerned that she’d lose another from her team.
Really not sure what to do other than proceed and see what happens.
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
Max Power
Footballguy
That sucks to hear, wages already weren't keeping up with inflation and we're having a tough time staffing our technology sector with qualified candidates who will work for a federal wage.
Bosses have been preparing us (DoD civilians) to lose all overtime in the very near future. Possibly as early as the next fiscal quarter. We will move to a max-flex schedule and get comp time for any hours over 80 in a pay period.
We're still working through how to handle deployments where a typical day is 12-13 hours. Under this structure a standard three-month deployment would net about 600 comp hours, aka 75 working days off, when and employee returns. As absurd as that sounds, its the current leader in the clubhouse for COAs. I don't think they comprehend how badly this is going to gut our workforce.
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
there is a reason why i plan on hiring 15% of my staff every 6 months. the turnover is insane. lost another engineer to space-x, makes twice this year, as they offered 2.5x the salary.
we were told no more OT as well. I'm supposed to go to Japan and S Korea for three weeks and almost all of my employees have lengthy tdys to ME and other points beyond. Not sure what they expect us to do, but it's looking like my entire system program engineering office will be off all of November/December.
if they freeze salaries i will jump and i guarantee 1/2 my team will as well.
-OZ-
Footballguy
The only concern would be if the fully remote position changed that policy. I’ll need to confirm that it wouldn’t change. We’re not moving for another decade, I’d quit / early retire (Probably defer the pension) from the feds before moving.
I won’t really know about the stress of the new position until I do it. Current job has just the right amount imo to keep motivated and not burn out.
Capella
Footballguy
Felt like I read defense got more money not less.
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
I haven't seen anything about it going to pay.
-OZ-
Footballguy
I wonder how much of that is for contractors, service members and civilian. Just guessing, more for contracts and uniformed.
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
since pay tables are set by OPM, which is all agencies, the money will not go to civilians.
congress and potus just gave us a 8+% pay reduction. I'm looking for a new job.
Capella
Footballguy
I guess I don’t know what you’re referring to. I haven’t seen anything about a pay freeze yet.
belljr
Footballguy
I just got my mid year raise
I don't think they are taking it back
-OZ-
Footballguy
Is any of this official?
We just got a 4.6% average increase (iirc) and inflation has fallen, so I’m not sure where you’re getting the 8% decrease.
The only thing I see is “certain federal programs” will be capped or cut.
White House and G.O.P. Strike Debt Limit Deal to Avert Default (Published 2023)
With the government on track to reach its borrowing limit within days, negotiators sealed an agreement to raise the debt ceiling for two years while cutting and capping certain federal programs.
Max Power
Footballguy
Cost of goods is up at least 10%. The 4.6% was nice, but federal wages aren't keeping pace with the economy or private sector.Is any of this official?
We just got a 4.6% average increase (iirc) and inflation has fallen, so I’m not sure where you’re getting the 8% decrease.
The only thing I see is “certain federal programs” will be capped or cut.
White House and G.O.P. Strike Debt Limit Deal to Avert Default (Published 2023)
With the government on track to reach its borrowing limit within days, negotiators sealed an agreement to raise the debt ceiling for two years while cutting and capping certain federal programs.www.nytimes.com
Hopefully the two year wage freeze isn't a real thing, because we're still looking at 3+ % inflation over the next two years and that's being optimistic.
-OZ-
Footballguy
Where are you getting this 10% rate?Cost of goods is up at least 10%. The 4.6% was nice, but federal wages aren't keeping pace with the economy or private sector.Is any of this official?
We just got a 4.6% average increase (iirc) and inflation has fallen, so I’m not sure where you’re getting the 8% decrease.
The only thing I see is “certain federal programs” will be capped or cut.
White House and G.O.P. Strike Debt Limit Deal to Avert Default (Published 2023)
With the government on track to reach its borrowing limit within days, negotiators sealed an agreement to raise the debt ceiling for two years while cutting and capping certain federal programs.
Hopefully the two year wage freeze isn't a real thing, because we're still looking at 3+ % inflation over the next two years and that's being optimistic.
CPI was 4.9% April 22 - April 23
Totally agreed that federal wages aren’t keeping up with equivalent private sector jobs, at least in my field and locally.
Max Power
Footballguy
Real world experience, it more a ballpark number. You can't honestly walk around a grocery store and think prices are only up 5%. I don't think CPI is really reflective of the buying power of a dollar.Where are you getting this 10% rate?Cost of goods is up at least 10%. The 4.6% was nice, but federal wages aren't keeping pace with the economy or private sector.Is any of this official?
We just got a 4.6% average increase (iirc) and inflation has fallen, so I’m not sure where you’re getting the 8% decrease.
The only thing I see is “certain federal programs” will be capped or cut.
White House and G.O.P. Strike Debt Limit Deal to Avert Default (Published 2023)
With the government on track to reach its borrowing limit within days, negotiators sealed an agreement to raise the debt ceiling for two years while cutting and capping certain federal programs.
Hopefully the two year wage freeze isn't a real thing, because we're still looking at 3+ % inflation over the next two years and that's being optimistic.
CPI was 4.9% April 22 - April 23
Totally agreed that federal wages aren’t keeping up with equivalent private sector jobs, at least in my field and locally.
Social security COLA went up 8.7% just to keep pace with inflation. Which means our 4.6% isn't even doing that.
-OZ-
Footballguy
Real world experience, it more a ballpark number. You can't honestly walk around a grocery store and think prices are only up 5%. I don't think CPI is really reflective of the buying power of a dollar.Where are you getting this 10% rate?Cost of goods is up at least 10%. The 4.6% was nice, but federal wages aren't keeping pace with the economy or private sector.Is any of this official?
We just got a 4.6% average increase (iirc) and inflation has fallen, so I’m not sure where you’re getting the 8% decrease.
The only thing I see is “certain federal programs” will be capped or cut.
White House and G.O.P. Strike Debt Limit Deal to Avert Default (Published 2023)
With the government on track to reach its borrowing limit within days, negotiators sealed an agreement to raise the debt ceiling for two years while cutting and capping certain federal programs.
Hopefully the two year wage freeze isn't a real thing, because we're still looking at 3+ % inflation over the next two years and that's being optimistic.
CPI was 4.9% April 22 - April 23
Totally agreed that federal wages aren’t keeping up with equivalent private sector jobs, at least in my field and locally.
Social security COLA went up 8.7% just to keep pace with inflation. Which means our 4.6% isn't even doing that.
different things have gone up more or less. Our spending other than the remodel hasn’t increased 10% but YMMV. I do agree that the federal average increase should be the same as SS, military pensions, etc.
Max Power
Footballguy
Our new pay policy came out Friday. No OT authorized CONUS. We have to take comp time for any hours worked over 80. It's going to be tricky because we are scheduled to work 84 hours, that is realistically 88-90 a pay period.
OCONUS OT will be maxed out at a Grade 10 step 10 hourly rate. Anything over 175 total hours a pay period will go to comp time. (I'm not sure how the hourly rate thing is even legal)
We're also going to have massive timecard audits and move to a new system of documenting time worked while not badged in to our work center.
OCONUS OT will be maxed out at a Grade 10 step 10 hourly rate. Anything over 175 total hours a pay period will go to comp time. (I'm not sure how the hourly rate thing is even legal)
We're also going to have massive timecard audits and move to a new system of documenting time worked while not badged in to our work center.
Capella
Footballguy
Where you seeing this at?
belljr
Footballguy
Congress passed a provision for this for military and dod civilian employees
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
incorrect.
senate version has this. house actually wants to cut by 1B.
Committee Approves FY24 Defense Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, the Full Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2024 bill for the Defense Subcommittee. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 34 to 24.
Cutting $1 billion of the President’s Budget Request to increase the size of the civilian workforce;
Directing the Department to reassess the number and roles of its civilian personnel needed for its core mission, tasks, and functions and ensuring the Department has an appropriate workforce for areas that directly serve the warfighter, like depots and shipyards; and
Providing funding to accelerate the Department’s digital transformation of business practices through the Chief Data Artificial Intelligence Office.
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belljr
Footballguy
Sorry the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced their draft with 5.2
Per your link
Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Bill
Ensures servicemembers and their families have the support they need by:
Funding a 5.2% pay raise for our servicemembers;
Per the actual document see #2
Per your link
Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Bill
Ensures servicemembers and their families have the support they need by:
Funding a 5.2% pay raise for our servicemembers;
Per the actual document see #2
-OZ-
Footballguy
IOW - “Do more with less” like we have been for years.incorrect.
senate version has this. house actually wants to cut by 1B.
Optimizes the Pentagon’s civilian workforce by:Committee Approves FY24 Defense Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, the Full Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2024 bill for the Defense Subcommittee. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 34 to 24.appropriations.house.gov
Cutting $1 billion of the President’s Budget Request to increase the size of the civilian workforce;
Directing the Department to reassess the number and roles of its civilian personnel needed for its core mission, tasks, and functions and ensuring the Department has an appropriate workforce for areas that directly serve the warfighter, like depots and shipyards; and
Providing funding to accelerate the Department’s digital transformation of business practices through the Chief Data Artificial Intelligence Office.
Every so often I’ll consider leaving the DoD for a smaller branch but at least where I’m at is fairly safe - they’re not going to severely cut those of us who support the troops by getting things that fly. And we give a **** load of money to contractors.
-OZ-
Footballguy
Interesting tidbit which may affect some here. https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefit...ours-paid-leave-thanks-calendar-quirk/387974/
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday said that most federal employees will receive an extra few hours of paid annual leave in 2023, thanks to a quirk in this year’s calendar of pay periods.
The federal government’s leave year begins on the first day of the first full biweekly pay period of a calendar year and ends the day before the first pay period of the following year. Ordinarily, that corresponds with 26 pay periods.
But in 2023, the first biweekly pay period for most feds began on Jan. 1, and the last pay period will end on Jan. 13, 2024. That means that while there are the standard 26 pay days in 2023, there is one extra pay period. Federal workers whose agencies’ first 2023 pay period began on Jan. 8 still will only have the standard 26 pay periods this year.
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday said that most federal employees will receive an extra few hours of paid annual leave in 2023, thanks to a quirk in this year’s calendar of pay periods.
The federal government’s leave year begins on the first day of the first full biweekly pay period of a calendar year and ends the day before the first pay period of the following year. Ordinarily, that corresponds with 26 pay periods.
But in 2023, the first biweekly pay period for most feds began on Jan. 1, and the last pay period will end on Jan. 13, 2024. That means that while there are the standard 26 pay days in 2023, there is one extra pay period. Federal workers whose agencies’ first 2023 pay period began on Jan. 8 still will only have the standard 26 pay periods this year.
Orange&Blue
Footballguy
wonderful.... my boss is already pissed at my use/lose situation.
belljr
Footballguy
ah the every 7 year "glitch"
My old contractor used billable hours - so 2080 is the standard 52x40...... Those fers would calculate your rate on 2087 so when the extar pay showed up they would just pay you then
dgreen
Footballguy
No, the paycheck itself doesn't pay out until after the New Year. But, several years ago we did have a year where we received 27 paychecks, so that happens too. And it sounds nice, but it's not really because you have to have extra taxes taken out to cover the extra paycheck (assuming you're someone who tries to manage their tax withholding to come out pretty even by year's end).
-OZ-
Footballguy
Right. And technically we’re slightly underpaid every year.
belljr
Footballguy
I'm petitioning to get moved into the non essential category.....
CGRdrJoe
Footballguy
our leadership seems to think we are getting shut down and to prepare to not get paid on 10/15 (coast guard active duty), they've already started to notify the non essential's. Normally we don't do this until the last week of September, it's definitely raising some eyebrows that we are doing it this early.
Sleestak
Footballguy
Speak of the devil. Just got this email.
Team XXX,
As we approach the end of the fiscal year (FY), there has been a lot of
discussion with the Defense Appropriation Bill and its potential impact on
our operations in FY24 if unapproved by start of the FY. This message aims
to provide clarity and guidance on this matter, especially for our newer
employees, and serves as a reminder for the rest of us.
As a working capital fund (WCF) organization, XXX will continue
operations during a government shutdown as long as we maintain a positive
cash balance. This means Economy Orders or Project Orders funded against
available appropriations (those funded by prior year appropriations) or
no-year appropriations can continue. Cash is managed at the Navy level.
NAVSEA will work with FMB-4 in determining when a working capital fund
activity is considered "out of cash" during an appropriation lapse. Once
cash balances are exhausted, only excepted work is permitted, regardless of
statutory authority of funding order (e.g., Project Order or Economy Act
Order). Generally, personnel not working on "excepted" work follow
established furlough procedures.
If by 01 October 2023 Congress passes a continuing resolution (CR) in lieu
of a signing an appropriations bill into law, XXX employees will
continue to work. In the event of a CR, FY24 appropriated orders will be
permitted through the CR end date. If by the end of the CR an appropriations
bill is not signed into law, the CR may be extended or a government shutdown
will occur.
We understand this is a fluid situation and concerning to the workforce. We
will do our best to be transparent and keep you informed on any significant
developments.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to XXX and the Navy.
Team XXX,
As we approach the end of the fiscal year (FY), there has been a lot of
discussion with the Defense Appropriation Bill and its potential impact on
our operations in FY24 if unapproved by start of the FY. This message aims
to provide clarity and guidance on this matter, especially for our newer
employees, and serves as a reminder for the rest of us.
As a working capital fund (WCF) organization, XXX will continue
operations during a government shutdown as long as we maintain a positive
cash balance. This means Economy Orders or Project Orders funded against
available appropriations (those funded by prior year appropriations) or
no-year appropriations can continue. Cash is managed at the Navy level.
NAVSEA will work with FMB-4 in determining when a working capital fund
activity is considered "out of cash" during an appropriation lapse. Once
cash balances are exhausted, only excepted work is permitted, regardless of
statutory authority of funding order (e.g., Project Order or Economy Act
Order). Generally, personnel not working on "excepted" work follow
established furlough procedures.
If by 01 October 2023 Congress passes a continuing resolution (CR) in lieu
of a signing an appropriations bill into law, XXX employees will
continue to work. In the event of a CR, FY24 appropriated orders will be
permitted through the CR end date. If by the end of the CR an appropriations
bill is not signed into law, the CR may be extended or a government shutdown
will occur.
We understand this is a fluid situation and concerning to the workforce. We
will do our best to be transparent and keep you informed on any significant
developments.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to XXX and the Navy.
Hawks64
Footballguy
What does that mean?
belljr
Footballguy
The short version is - it lays out how funds should be used by the FAA ... it used to be done yearly but development projects would fall behind because we would not not know if money was coming so they switched to a 5 year plan but basically this
Though the airline industry was deregulated in 1978, the practice of FAA reauthorization originated with the Airport and Airway Revenue Act of 1970 which created the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (Trust Fund)—used to finance FAA investments. The authority to collect taxes and to spend from the Trust Fund must be routinely reauthorized to meet agency and consumer needs.
This unique reauthorization process presents both opportunities and challenges. It creates a regular opportunity to revisit funding decisions, projects, and research initiatives. It also presents a regularly re-occurring opportunity to hold the FAA accountable for mandates it has not fulfilled, to respond to recent problems in air travel, and to advocate for stronger consumer protections. However, any changes enacted in reauthorization acts are only set for a specific period.
There's a lot more too it obviously - like money is earmarked for certain areas etc etc - but until they do that we have would not be authorized to perform our duties *technically and not funded
- I wont pretend to kow the ins and outs of it - I just know this is bigger than the budget just not being passed
Hawks64
Footballguy
So could that impact fully staffing towers or limiting air operations?
belljr
Footballguy
Technically no - we will all work without being paid........ well it could limit some operations
"Grant money for important safety improvements will stop and some regulations in process, such as ones intended to shore up passenger protections, will grind to a halt. And the country’s aviation system will lose an estimated $54 million a day in fuel and fare tax revenues."
write up
It’s not just a shutdown — Congress has no plan for the FAA either
The airline sector is staring down an authorization and funding lapse amid congressional paralysis.
www.politico.com
-OZ-
Footballguy
Just heard about this an hour ago. It seems ridiculous.
We have multiple billion + contracts that last 5 years. With options.
urbanhack
Fight The Power!
Question / advice. My lady has been approved for a position at the VA - medical records.
They have started the process of offering her the job with the base salary, benefits, etc. and then also said she can negotiate based on her experience.
I’m curious if there is standard here where if you ask for a modest increase over your base salary do they accept it if is reasonable or meet somewhere in the middle? I realize this might not be the case for all federal positions, but I’m curious if anyone had a similar process. Thanks for any feedback.
They have started the process of offering her the job with the base salary, benefits, etc. and then also said she can negotiate based on her experience.
I’m curious if there is standard here where if you ask for a modest increase over your base salary do they accept it if is reasonable or meet somewhere in the middle? I realize this might not be the case for all federal positions, but I’m curious if anyone had a similar process. Thanks for any feedback.
belljr
Footballguy
This will vary greatly. I tried to negotiate and was basically told we will negotiate but it has to go back to Washington so it could take a few weeks. I was already a contractor so they already knew my salary and gave me a bump. I was trying to negotiate leave accrual.
Anyway standard bumps have been 6-10% for normal promotions, becoming an employee.
Will she be on a GS scale? You could ask to start at a higher step?
Sorry I don't have a better answer but I think this varies from agency to agency
-OZ-
Footballguy
When I first entered, I just showed how many years experience I had relevant to the position. They gave me the credit and started me at a step 7. I’ve since been promoted twice so it didn’t matter long term.
That’s just one way, made easier because I was going military to Army civilian.
urbanhack
Fight The Power!
She’s GA6 - entry level.
dgreen
Footballguy
I"m not familiar with GA. Do you mean GS?
Either way, if she has prior experience or education that qualifies her for a higher grade, then she can potentially negotiate for that. However, it also depends on the position she applied to. If it's strictly an entry-level position, then the position itself may not allow for a higher grade. Positions have what's called a career ladder, which are grade increases that someone can obtain within the same position and without competing with others for the increase. For example, I entered government out of college in a position that had entry level of GS7 and career ladder of 7-9-11-12. That means I entered as a 7 with a bachelor's degree (masters start at a 9) and then every year I was eligible to move up to a 9, then 11, then 12 simply based on the experience I gained each year and my performance. Had I entered that position already with, say, two years of relevant experience, I could have tried to enter as an 11.
She should talk to HR and explain any relevant experience and education she has to see what she's eligible for. It might be possible for a higher grade or maybe a higher step within the grade. Also, as mentioned, negotiating to have years of work experience apply towards a higher leave accrual is also possible sometimes. When you enter federal government, you start earning 4 hours of AL per pay period. After three years of service, that goes up to 6 hours and it is 8 hours after 15 years.
- Status
