Government employee thread! (Being a government employee is sweet) (1 Viewer)

[Sleestak]

Garbage COLA adjustment this year.

The BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI) for Sept 2024 was 3.9%. By code (5 U.S. Code 5303) the Federal COLA would have been 3.4% if the Administration had done NOTHING at all. This means they had to put in effort to give us this junk. At least as best I understand this arcana.

On the bright side, we will be able to use the 2025 pay tables through 2028. Highly efficient.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Garbage COLA adjustment this year.

The BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI) for Sept 2024 was 3.9%. By code (5 U.S. Code 5303) the Federal COLA would have been 3.4% if the Administration had done NOTHING at all. This means they had to put in effort to give us this junk. At least as best I understand this arcana.

On the bright side, we will be able to use the 2025 pay tables through 2028. Highly efficient.

Trust me, I'm not happy about it, but I also know Biden didn't have a choice at this junction with the 2024 / 2025 spending caps that were agreed to earlier. To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes or even RIFS for some agencies.

 

[Sleestak]

Garbage COLA adjustment this year.

The BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI) for Sept 2024 was 3.9%. By code (5 U.S. Code 5303) the Federal COLA would have been 3.4% if the Administration had done NOTHING at all. This means they had to put in effort to give us this junk. At least as best I understand this arcana.

On the bright side, we will be able to use the 2025 pay tables through 2028. Highly efficient.

Trust me, I'm not happy about it, but I also know Biden didn't have a choice at this junction with the 2024 / 2025 spending caps that were agreed to earlier. To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes or even RIFS for some agencies.

Thank you. I was unaware.

There are 2.2 million civilian feds, with an average salary of $106,500. We were given 2% average COLA. By statute we were due 3.4%. So Biden saved (2,200,000 x $106,500 x 1.4%) = $3.3B. Must be a pretty tight cap, to warrant chiseling a percent from two million people.

I'm sure there is no other fat they could have trimmed. Farm Bill = $130B per year (2025-2029), just for instance.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Garbage COLA adjustment this year.

The BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI) for Sept 2024 was 3.9%. By code (5 U.S. Code 5303) the Federal COLA would have been 3.4% if the Administration had done NOTHING at all. This means they had to put in effort to give us this junk. At least as best I understand this arcana.

On the bright side, we will be able to use the 2025 pay tables through 2028. Highly efficient.

Trust me, I'm not happy about it, but I also know Biden didn't have a choice at this junction with the 2024 / 2025 spending caps that were agreed to earlier. To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes or even RIFS for some agencies.

Thank you. I was unaware.

There are 2.2 million civilian feds, with an average salary of $106,500. We were given 2% average COLA. By statute we were due 3.4%. So Biden saved (2,200,000 x $106,500 x 1.4%) = $3.3B. Must be a pretty tight cap, to warrant chiseling a percent from two million people.

I'm sure there is no other fat they could have trimmed. Farm Bill = $130B per year (2025-2029), just for instance.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency when congress can barely do it's most important job (passing a budget).

If they fully complied with the statute our pay should go up like 30% or something. Never going to happen.

 

[-OZ-]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

 

[belljr]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

 

[-OZ-]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

 

[belljr]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

I mean it just happened last week. So a freeze on top of a freeze?

 

[-OZ-]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

I mean it just happened last week. So a freeze on top of a freeze?

What agency? DoD isn’t in a hiring freeze.

 

[dgreen]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

I mean it just happened last week. So a freeze on top of a freeze?

What agency? DoD isn’t in a hiring freeze.

DoT - faa

DOT has a different funding source, right?

 

[belljr]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

I mean it just happened last week. So a freeze on top of a freeze?

What agency? DoD isn’t in a hiring freeze.

DoT - faa

DOT has a different funding source, right?

I think so. But FAA definitely does

 

[FarFromHome]

Nothing more fun than government employees united against one common enemy. The government. Ha ha. Either way keep punching your time card because your paying my FERS retirement. Mahalo. Ha ha

 

[-OZ-]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

I mean it just happened last week. So a freeze on top of a freeze?

What agency? DoD isn’t in a hiring freeze.

DoT - faa

My buddy just got picked up and they told him a week after they froze everything. Now I don't know if it's true or not but that's just the word on the street

Sometimes I forget that DoD is treated differently. basically a sacred cow in many ways.

 

[Orange&Blue]

To increase salaries would have resulted in hiring freezes

Oh, don’t worry. Those will happen anyway.

It's easier to cut our pay than to cut an entire agency

Also, could happen. Although far less likely.
Not to get into P, just talking about things that affect us. I just know my office is acting as if a hiring freeze is imminent, say within the next month.

We already had a freeze

Expect another

I mean it just happened last week. So a freeze on top of a freeze?

What agency? DoD isn’t in a hiring freeze.

DoT - faa

My buddy just got picked up and they told him a week after they froze everything. Now I don't know if it's true or not but that's just the word on the street

Sometimes I forget that DoD is treated differently. basically a sacred cow in many ways.

My DoD MAJCOM is in a hiring freeze, but that's because our payroll and HR are stupid and miscounted. Idiots.

 

[TripItUp]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

 

[dgreen]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

 

[The Z Machine]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

 

[-OZ-]

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

Agreed for the most part. It’s good to have a backup plan even if we think we’re unlikely to be affected.
A fairly small part of my job is working with employees and service members leaving us and considering working for a DoD contractor. After a small uptick in 2024, I expect a surge in 2025. Of course, many go to work for a non contractor or retire fully, that might also increase.

 

[belljr]

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

Agreed for the most part. It’s good to have a backup plan even if we think we’re unlikely to be affected.
A fairly small part of my job is working with employees and service members leaving us and considering working for a DoD contractor. After a small uptick in 2024, I expect a surge in 2025. Of course, many go to work for a non contractor or retire fully, that might also increase.

If I need a backup plan I'm screwed. No joke

 

[-OZ-]

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

Agreed for the most part. It’s good to have a backup plan even if we think we’re unlikely to be affected.
A fairly small part of my job is working with employees and service members leaving us and considering working for a DoD contractor. After a small uptick in 2024, I expect a surge in 2025. Of course, many go to work for a non contractor or retire fully, that might also increase.

If I need a backup plan I'm screwed. No joke

Even those of us with a limited skill set, almost maxing in the government, can develop options. There’s not a huge demand for government ethics attorneys outside the government but I bet I can develop something if needed.

 

[Capella]

Very few government employees are going to lose their jobs. The reduction will come from hiring freezes and attrition. They can’t get rid of most agencies without congressional approval and that’s not happening.

 

[dgreen]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

 

[The Z Machine]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

Congress can write laws and SCOTUS can interpret the laws. I don't think that will be the saving grace. Rather, the backlash and fear of public turning on the pols is the only thing that will constrain the cuts.

 

[thecatch]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

Congress can write laws and SCOTUS can interpret the laws. I don't think that will be the saving grace. Rather, the backlash and fear of public turning on the pols is the only thing that will constrain the cuts.

Most government workers have a lot of civil service protections. The new admin is not going to be able to come in and make the kind of cuts Elon is threatening. Nobody who believes any of this fear-mongering has ever tried to fire a terrible government employee.

 

[The Z Machine]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

Congress can write laws and SCOTUS can interpret the laws. I don't think that will be the saving grace. Rather, the backlash and fear of public turning on the pols is the only thing that will constrain the cuts.

Most government workers have a lot of civil service protections. The new admin is not going to be able to come in and make the kind of cuts Elon is threatening. Nobody who believes any of this fear-mongering has ever tried to fire a terrible government employee.

How are those protections codified? If in union contracts, maybe that will stop things, but if it's in laws written by Congress... I wouldn't be so sure that those laws won't get rewritten or reinterpreted.

Plus, what if Congress passes a law that says that all union contracts with the USG are invalid?

 

[belljr]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

Congress can write laws and SCOTUS can interpret the laws. I don't think that will be the saving grace. Rather, the backlash and fear of public turning on the pols is the only thing that will constrain the cuts.

Most government workers have a lot of civil service protections. The new admin is not going to be able to come in and make the kind of cuts Elon is threatening. Nobody who believes any of this fear-mongering has ever tried to fire a terrible government employee.

How are those protections codified? If in union contracts, maybe that will stop things, but if it's in laws written by Congress... I wouldn't be so sure that those laws won't get rewritten or reinterpreted.

Plus, what if Congress passes a law that says that all union contracts with the USG are invalid?

We have Union contracts.

 

[Capella]

Plus, what if Congress passes a law that says that all union contracts with the USG are invalid?

Never in a million years will happen and that’s not how contracts work.

 

[thecatch]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

Congress can write laws and SCOTUS can interpret the laws. I don't think that will be the saving grace. Rather, the backlash and fear of public turning on the pols is the only thing that will constrain the cuts.

Most government workers have a lot of civil service protections. The new admin is not going to be able to come in and make the kind of cuts Elon is threatening. Nobody who believes any of this fear-mongering has ever tried to fire a terrible government employee.

How are those protections codified? If in union contracts, maybe that will stop things, but if it's in laws written by Congress... I wouldn't be so sure that those laws won't get rewritten or reinterpreted.

Plus, what if Congress passes a law that says that all union contracts with the USG are invalid?

I genuinely don’t intend this to come off mean, but you really don’t know what you’re talking about as a legal or practical matter. You don’t need to lose sleep over the plight of the typical federal employee.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

from everything "new maga mgmt" is pushing - what was ...no longer means ANYTHING ...NOTHING ...ZERO ...ZILCH

**** what you've been promised or what's fair or right

I mean, have you guys been watching the total disrespect of the law ...legal precedent, uhhh common decency??????

read your history.

 

[-OZ-]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

from everything "new maga mgmt" is pushing - what was ...no longer means ANYTHING ...NOTHING ...ZERO ...ZILCH

**** what you've been promised or what's fair or right

I mean, have you guys been watching the total disrespect of the law ...legal precedent, uhhh common decency??????

read your history.

You can buy into all the fear mongering if you want. Most of the talk before 2016 didn’t come to fruition, others have talked about cutting government inefficiency before, not much happens.
Members of Congress still want to be re-elected.

 

[Judge Smails]

Everybody wants the government to be more efficient, right? How else do we tackle this deficit? I hope all fed FBG’s ride off into the golden retirement sunset. But other than that I’d love to see most of these agencies slashed.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

from everything "new maga mgmt" is pushing - what was ...no longer means ANYTHING ...NOTHING ...ZERO ...ZILCH

**** what you've been promised or what's fair or right

I mean, have you guys been watching the total disrespect of the law ...legal precedent, uhhh common decency??????

read your history.

You can buy into all the fear mongering if you want. Most of the talk before 2016 didn’t come to fruition, others have talked about cutting government inefficiency before, not much happens.
Members of Congress still want to be re-elected.

yikes. I have zero coins in this fight ...outside of wanting to keep the retirement and medical benefits I worked and paid for.

no fear mongering ...I think it's more of projection for me - man I went through 5 different "right-sizing" BIG down-sizing outside consultant-driven ordeals.

the decisions in these kind of ********* ****storms often times never makes common sense

false bravado doesn't help

 

[-OZ-]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

from everything "new maga mgmt" is pushing - what was ...no longer means ANYTHING ...NOTHING ...ZERO ...ZILCH

**** what you've been promised or what's fair or right

I mean, have you guys been watching the total disrespect of the law ...legal precedent, uhhh common decency??????

read your history.

You can buy into all the fear mongering if you want. Most of the talk before 2016 didn’t come to fruition, others have talked about cutting government inefficiency before, not much happens.
Members of Congress still want to be re-elected.

yikes. I have zero coins in this fight ...outside of wanting to keep the retirement and medical benefits I worked and paid for.

no fear mongering ...I think it's more of projection for me - man I went through 5 different "right-sizing" BIG down-sizing outside consultant-driven ordeals.

the decisions in these kind of ********* ****storms often times never makes common sense

false bravado doesn't help

We’ll see.
Honestly, I’d be worried about some agencies.
I’m not the least bit worried about Army civilians.
Things might change, telework may become far less common. But those I work with who want to stay will be fine.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

from everything "new maga mgmt" is pushing - what was ...no longer means ANYTHING ...NOTHING ...ZERO ...ZILCH

**** what you've been promised or what's fair or right

I mean, have you guys been watching the total disrespect of the law ...legal precedent, uhhh common decency??????

read your history.

You can buy into all the fear mongering if you want. Most of the talk before 2016 didn’t come to fruition, others have talked about cutting government inefficiency before, not much happens.
Members of Congress still want to be re-elected.

yikes. I have zero coins in this fight ...outside of wanting to keep the retirement and medical benefits I worked and paid for.

no fear mongering ...I think it's more of projection for me - man I went through 5 different "right-sizing" BIG down-sizing outside consultant-driven ordeals.

the decisions in these kind of ********* ****storms often times never makes common sense

false bravado doesn't help

We’ll see.
Honestly, I’d be worried about some agencies.
I’m not the least bit worried about Army civilians.
Things might change, telework may become far less common. But those I work with who want to stay will be fine.

so you guys are one of the "good ones"?

 

[-OZ-]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

from everything "new maga mgmt" is pushing - what was ...no longer means ANYTHING ...NOTHING ...ZERO ...ZILCH

**** what you've been promised or what's fair or right

I mean, have you guys been watching the total disrespect of the law ...legal precedent, uhhh common decency??????

read your history.

You can buy into all the fear mongering if you want. Most of the talk before 2016 didn’t come to fruition, others have talked about cutting government inefficiency before, not much happens.
Members of Congress still want to be re-elected.

yikes. I have zero coins in this fight ...outside of wanting to keep the retirement and medical benefits I worked and paid for.

no fear mongering ...I think it's more of projection for me - man I went through 5 different "right-sizing" BIG down-sizing outside consultant-driven ordeals.

the decisions in these kind of ********* ****storms often times never makes common sense

false bravado doesn't help

We’ll see.
Honestly, I’d be worried about some agencies.
I’m not the least bit worried about Army civilians.
Things might change, telework may become far less common. But those I work with who want to stay will be fine.

so you guys are one of the "good ones"?

Politically, most in office think so

 

[The Z Machine]

Sure I might be projecting and buying into the fear, but norms and rules and precedent mean nothing to this administration. There are people in power and with the ear of the president that want to dramatically cut the USG workforce. In my experience, when someone tells you who they are and what they stand for, you should believe them. Whether they can enact such change is the only open question, bit I have no doubt they will try and it will cause anxiety at the minimum and misery is likely for some.

 

[The Z Machine]

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other

my agency has been requiring 40% in office for the past year. they would like to make it more, but they got rid of 1/2 our office space...so.

i think people should be more concerned about serious RIFs.

100 percent agree, not only is the new administration talking RIFs, they have the support of the majority of congress and the majority of American people (polled)

If I was working for a Federal agency I'd have a backup plan stat.

I think employees who are part of a RIF have the option of accepting a comparable vacant position elsewhere in the agency or another agency.

What makes you think there will be any open positions in other agencies?

Because there are always a ton of vacancies. I think there would be some major legal fallout if there are some RIFs and employees are prevented from filling other vacancies. But I’m not a lawyer so I could be wrong.

Congress can write laws and SCOTUS can interpret the laws. I don't think that will be the saving grace. Rather, the backlash and fear of public turning on the pols is the only thing that will constrain the cuts.

Most government workers have a lot of civil service protections. The new admin is not going to be able to come in and make the kind of cuts Elon is threatening. Nobody who believes any of this fear-mongering has ever tried to fire a terrible government employee.

How are those protections codified? If in union contracts, maybe that will stop things, but if it's in laws written by Congress... I wouldn't be so sure that those laws won't get rewritten or reinterpreted.

Plus, what if Congress passes a law that says that all union contracts with the USG are invalid?

I genuinely don’t intend this to come off mean, but you really don’t know what you’re talking about as a legal or practical matter. You don’t need to lose sleep over the plight of the typical federal employee.

You're right. I'm not a USG employee, I'm not a lawyer. He'll, I don't even live in the US anymore. Nonetheless, I don't think anything is off the table with this crew.

 

[thecatch]

Everybody wants the government to be more efficient, right? How else do we tackle this deficit? I hope all fed FBG’s ride off into the golden retirement sunset. But other than that I’d love to see most of these agencies slashed.

Sure, but (a) payroll is a pretty small percentage of federal expenditures, and (b) whatever bloat exists largely does so because it's necessary to administer what is often poorly conceived legislation. You'd need legal reform before making huge reductions in headcount. It's not like coming in at a fortune 500 company and deciding we're going to save money by cutting 10% of the workforce.

 

[-OZ-]

Everybody wants the government to be more efficient, right? How else do we tackle this deficit? I hope all fed FBG’s ride off into the golden retirement sunset. But other than that I’d love to see most of these agencies slashed.

Sure, but (a) payroll is a pretty small percentage of federal expenditures, and (b) whatever bloat exists largely does so because it's necessary to administer what is often poorly conceived legislation. You'd need legal reform before making huge reductions in headcount. It's not like coming in at a fortune 500 company and deciding we're going to save money by cutting 10% of the workforce.

Those expecting wide sweeping changes have a different perspective than I hold on how effective an administration can be in trying to get their way.

 

[thecatch]

Everybody wants the government to be more efficient, right? How else do we tackle this deficit? I hope all fed FBG’s ride off into the golden retirement sunset. But other than that I’d love to see most of these agencies slashed.

Sure, but (a) payroll is a pretty small percentage of federal expenditures, and (b) whatever bloat exists largely does so because it's necessary to administer what is often poorly conceived legislation. You'd need legal reform before making huge reductions in headcount. It's not like coming in at a fortune 500 company and deciding we're going to save money by cutting 10% of the workforce.

Those expecting wide sweeping changes have a different perspective than I hold on how effective an administration can be in trying to get their way.

Yep. And whatever you think of the incoming agency heads, they certainly aren't hardened bureaucrats that have the expertise to successfully cram down complicated and contested reform.

 

[belljr]

January 9th

 

[Max Power]

man, I more than hope that it works out well for all of you guys ...most of you made an informal agreement when you went to work for the gubmint ...paid less BUT more job security and retirement plan.

It was a trade off for me when I switched from a defense contractor to a Government Civilian. I took a big pay cut at the time, but I've also saved myself from two contract rebids that cut salaries both times. Long run I'm better off.

The job security thing swings both ways though. There are plenty of government employees abusing their job security. I've worked with a guy for 15 years now who has been by far our worst employee. The government sector has limited upward mobility at one point or another, so I've watched several of my co-workers cut their efforts to just above his level. We can't fix the "government problem" if we continue to set the bar at timecard fraud or sexual harassment as the only acceptable reasons to let someone go.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Hmmm wonder how the national labs will fare in this. The Trump Administration funded DOE/NNSA labs well last time around. But my lab is considerably larger than then. ~9,300 people or so vs. maybe ~6,300 or so, and we've pretty much completed a key mission that drove the hiring. My wife is also at a (different) national lab. I like to think we're ok, but I'll be keeping an eye out.

 

[TripItUp]

Govt cuts will be the hot topic for the next several months. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. How many jobs can DOGE remove with and without congressional support, not to mention the support of the majority of American people who are becoming increasingly aware of the debt crisis.

The POTUS will undoubtedly try to use his executive powers and the SCOTUS is likely to back him based on recent rulings IMHO. Will that and a narrow congressional majority be enough is TBD.

 

[thecatch]

Govt cuts will be the hot topic for the next several months. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. How many jobs can DOGE remove with and without congressional support, not to mention the support of the majority of American people who are becoming increasingly aware of the debt crisis.

The POTUS will undoubtedly try to use his executive powers and the SCOTUS is likely to back him based on recent rulings IMHO. Will that and a narrow congressional majority be enough is TBD.

SCOTUS rejected a bunch of admin overreach attempts last time around.

 

[Sleestak]

not to mention the support of the majority of American people who are becoming increasingly aware of the debt crisis.

I hope this newly aware majority is also aware that to achieve the desired $2T in deficit reduction, they have two choices: Raise revenue or impoverish retirees.

Useful pie chart for an informed discussion. In that chart, "Health Insurance" means Medicare and Medicaid.

 

[-OZ-]

not to mention the support of the majority of American people who are becoming increasingly aware of the debt crisis.

I hope this newly aware majority is also aware that to achieve the desired $2T in deficit reduction, they have two choices: Raise revenue or impoverish retirees.

Useful pie chart for an informed discussion. In that chart, "Health Insurance" means Medicare and Medicaid.

Just sell Hawaii.

 

[TripItUp]

I hope this newly aware majority is also aware that to achieve the desired $2T in deficit reduction, they have two choices: Raise revenue or impoverish retirees.

Useful pie chart for an informed discussion. In that chart, "Health Insurance" means Medicare and Medicaid.

I think there is widespread understanding that the 2 trillion "stretch goal" is not likely to be achieved. I believe the DOGE leaders recently were placing odds on 500billion to 1 trillion on Twitter.

 

[Capella]

Govt cuts will be the hot topic for the next several months. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. How many jobs can DOGE remove with and without congressional support, not to mention the support of the majority of American people who are becoming increasingly aware of the debt crisis.

The POTUS will undoubtedly try to use his executive powers and the SCOTUS is likely to back him based on recent rulings IMHO. Will that and a narrow congressional majority be enough is TBD.

He wants to raise the debt ceiling lol. He doesn’t care at all about lowering that. I can’t believe even his most fervent supporters believe that.

Doge isn’t even a government agency. They cannot and will not be able to eliminate agencies. This is just fanfic for people who are terminally online.

 

[-OZ-]

We can't fix the "government problem" if we continue to set the bar at timecard fraud or sexual harassment as the only acceptable reasons to let someone go.

I haven’t handled a disciplinary case in a few years, but I advise plenty of supervisors. Almost every one of them are reluctant to discipline an employee for anything short of truly egregious stuff. I understand empathy but some of it is ridiculous.