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

[Ilov80s]

I see that some States are now creating their own DOGEs so if you work some State governments, you can probably exoect similar slashing in your departments.

 

[Capella]

Starting to get depressed with the nonsensical barrage of insults and purging all of us

My wife had a bit of a breakdown today. Her place getting targeted now.

Sorry to hear. This really sucks. Best case seems like we can root for is this all gets reversed in 4 years and people who unfairly lost their jobs get them back, if they even want them. Terrible.

 

[belljr]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

Some yes not all

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

Some yes not all

Full disclosure, I haven't. In your experience, is what is in the EOs what they are doing?

I think the reason I am asking is rather obvious, but maybe not. If not I can expand.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

We have about 3-4 months worth of funds to continue our research.

 

[belljr]

Presidential Actions Archives

www.whitehouse.gov

They are all right there, there is a lot

 

[belljr]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

 

[TripItUp]

String approval ratings have nothing at all to do with the law.

I only mention it because the media mentions it(left and right.) It seems to matter to them. I don't have an opinion.

 

[bigbottom]

Starting to get depressed with the nonsensical barrage of insults and purging all of us other than because.

Been doing my job in some capacity for 17 years and work harder here than I did in the private sector. Just sad

I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this. You are a true hero in my eyes. Hang in there.

 

[dgreen]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

 

[belljr]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

Well I'm only 9 as a fed. I'm pretty close to the lowest guy in my group fedwise. There are 2 guys that should 100% get let go but would survive above me rif wise

Realistically, if it was based on actual work production and ethic and knowledge, there would be zero chance I would be let go but I know that's not always a factor in these types of things

 

[bigbottom]

String approval ratings have nothing at all to do with the law.

I only mention it because the media mentions it(left and right.) It seems to matter to them. I don't have an opinion.

I do. It shouldn’t matter. But I’m afraid it does.

 

[bigbottom]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

Well I'm only 9 as a fed. I'm pretty close to the lowest guy in my group fedwise. There are 2 guys that should 100% get let go but would survive above me rif wise

Realistically, if it was based on actual work production and ethic and knowledge, there would be zero chance I would be let go but I know that's not always a factor in these types of things

If Musk has a say, I have no doubt that he would favor productivity, knowledge and skill over tenure.

And I don’t mean the above to be a political statement. Rather, if it is the charge of DOGE to increase government efficiency, the most productive and knowledgeable employees would presumably be retained.

 

[dgreen]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

Well I'm only 9 as a fed. I'm pretty close to the lowest guy in my group fedwise. There are 2 guys that should 100% get let go but would survive above me rif wise

Realistically, if it was based on actual work production and ethic and knowledge, there would be zero chance I would be let go but I know that's not always a factor in these types of things

Got it. Hopefully your area isn’t asked for significant reductions.

 

[dgreen]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

Well I'm only 9 as a fed. I'm pretty close to the lowest guy in my group fedwise. There are 2 guys that should 100% get let go but would survive above me rif wise

Realistically, if it was based on actual work production and ethic and knowledge, there would be zero chance I would be let go but I know that's not always a factor in these types of things

If Musk has a say, I have no doubt that he would favor productivity, knowledge and skill over tenure.

Performance ratings are also considered.

 

[belljr]

I mean you don't get promoted to my band "just because" I earned that stuff man

 

[-OZ-]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

Yep. My boss and I discussed all this a bit today. I’m not worried for myself but we could easily lose some good people including a couple who asked me for advice today. And now apparently we can only hire 1 to replace every 4 that leave. There’s 8 of us in the office, I really don’t see how we’d do the job with even two fewer people.

Fwiw, I do a lot of post government employment advice. Those seeking advice have increased BIG time in the last two weeks.

 

[-OZ-]

If Musk has a say, I have no doubt that he would favor productivity, knowledge and skill over tenure.

And I don’t mean the above to be a political statement. Rather, if it is the charge of DOGE to increase government efficiency, the most productive and knowledgeable employees would presumably be retained

Right. And I’d largely agree. But then, at least in my office, all of us (I presume, I haven’t seen their evals) max everything.

 

[belljr]

To be clear, there's been zero indication of any of this happening to my agency, department or group.

I'm just in my head a lot with all of the talk at work and you know chatter in the Halls, reading stuff online. Doom scrolling

Just a tough time right now and venting

I'm almost concerned about the vacation I have planned next month. It's before the actual shutdown might happen, but still I feel like it's going to be a strike against me

 

[-OZ-]

To be clear, there's been zero indication of any of this happening to my agency, department or group.

I'm just in my head a lot with all of the talk at work and you know chatter in the Halls, reading stuff online. Doom scrolling

Just a tough time right now and venting

I'm almost concerned about the vacation I have planned next month. It's before the actual shutdown might happen, but still I feel like it's going to be a strike against me

Interesting. I’m taking two weeks off in March. Not worried at all but it would suck if that were to somehow be a factor.

 

[belljr]

To be clear, there's been zero indication of any of this happening to my agency, department or group.

I'm just in my head a lot with all of the talk at work and you know chatter in the Halls, reading stuff online. Doom scrolling

Just a tough time right now and venting

I'm almost concerned about the vacation I have planned next month. It's before the actual shutdown might happen, but still I feel like it's going to be a strike against me

Interesting. I’m taking two weeks off in March. Not worried at all but it would suck if that were to somehow be a factor.

After my daughter came to me as a teen about anxiety and took to therapy, I've discovered that my entire life I have been living with very bad anxiety and it's worse as I get older. So I fully admit my feelings might not be based in any reality

 

[eoMMan]

When is the thread title going to be updated?

 

[dgreen]

Just saw the RIF EO. Ugh.

 

[Capella]

When is the thread title going to be updated?

I think about that every time I see it lol

Government employee thread! (Being a government employee is not sweet)

 

[belljr]

Just saw the RIF EO. Ugh.

Oh that's what started my spree lol

 

[dgreen]

Just saw the RIF EO. Ugh.

Oh that's what started my spree lol

Yeah, I was confused for a while. Now I get it.

Maybe we all should get together to start our own company. Anyone have any brilliant ideas?

 

[Don Quixote]

When is the thread title going to be updated?

Paging @flapgreen

 

[fatness]

Guess I should polish up my resume. Not sure there is much need for a 53 year old former software developer who is out of touch with current tech. I've been deep in highly specialized processes. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that

RIFs favor those who have been around the longest.

Well I'm only 9 as a fed. I'm pretty close to the lowest guy in my group fedwise. There are 2 guys that should 100% get let go but would survive above me rif wise

Realistically, if it was based on actual work production and ethic and knowledge, there would be zero chance I would be let go but I know that's not always a factor in these types of things

If Musk has a say, I have no doubt that he would favor productivity, knowledge and skill over tenure.

I would not say that.
The lack of time spent looking at what each agency does, the inexperience of his staff and lack of caring about damages to people, both indicate it's more of a meat-axe procedure with others left to figure out what's left and how to fix it.

 

[fatness]

According to Wired, Elez did in fact have write access, allowing him to push unvetted and untested changes straight to the Treasury's payments system — a nightmare scenario that could introduce all sorts of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and leave doors open for adversary hacker groups.

That report turned out to be at least partly correct. The bolded is what is known to be correct.

A Tuesday affidavit from Joseph Gioeli, deputy commissioner of transformation and modernization at Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service, said former DOGE employee Marko Elez briefly had read-write access to Treasury’s secure payment system, but Elez “did not access that system during that time, and was likely unaware that he had any such read/write access.”

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Just trying to wrap my head around all of this as a private sector person...

I completely understand the insecurity/not knowing issue as to what's going on. It happens to me every election cycle...will companies stop spending due to materials prices, tariffs, defense spending cuts etc etc.

My question is more about the absolute fear that seems to be overtaking folks in the government sector. I have retired CG friends that think their benefits will just go away. Other friends that aren't sure they will have a job Monday. Student loans just dissappear for those that have kids headed to college....

Isn't this just to trim the fat? Or shift responsibility to states? Is it really just "shut that **** down and let someone else figure it out?" We can't really be talking about just blowing away major government initiatives right? Veterans should always get benefits. Pencil pushers collecting a check doing a 1/2 days honest work from home... not so much.

I know there's been a lot of chest puffing and rhetoric but we aren't talking about never funding education or research or whatever again. Responsibility would just be shifted. Unless I'm mistaken and they are talking about just cut it out completely....

i don't have a political affiliation. I hope Elon is completely ignorant with some of his claims on X. But even if halfway true.... yikes. I just don't even know what to believe at this point. Could the government function with 1/2 the current workforce? 1/3? 1/4?

 

[The Z Machine]

I know there's been a lot of chest puffing and rhetoric but we aren't talking about never funding education or research or whatever again. Responsibility would just be shifted. Unless I'm mistaken and they are talking about just cut it out completely....

I haven't seen anything saying that they will restart the frozen or dissolved programs / agencies / grants. Think about the work that USAID (international) or NIH (mostly domestic) does. Sure, every program could be rolled into the State Department or HHS oversight, but right now, the funding on these programs are all frozen. That means that all the grantees, contractors, suppliers, etc. that support those programs are without paychecks and have no promise that the programs will restart. Those people will find other work to make ends meet. Many will be severely impacted economically, as those programs were funded by Congress for some fixed term, and people thought that contract was guaranteed by the USG. However, the executive branch is violating contracts by not providing funding. This was definitely an unforeseen outcome for many. I think the impact to the Tier 1 folks (not direct USG employees, but rather those that are contracted by USG) are going to be worse than for USG employees, who may get severance if there's a RIF.

BTW, what will happen with the unemployment numbers if there's a truly a big % RIF and these Tier 1 folks have their funding cut off immediately and permanently?

I guess incrementalism and good planning aren't the orders of the day. Just axe it and let people figure out how to pick up the pieces. Shows a distinct lack of humanity and compassion.

 

[-OZ-]

Could the government function with 1/2 the current workforce? 1/3? 1/4?

Depends on your definition of “function”.

 

[-OZ-]

I know there's been a lot of chest puffing and rhetoric but we aren't talking about never funding education or research or whatever again. Responsibility would just be shifted. Unless I'm mistaken and they are talking about just cut it out completely....

I haven't seen anything saying that they will restart the frozen or dissolved programs / agencies / grants. Think about the work that USAID (international) or NIH (mostly domestic) does. Sure, every program could be rolled into the State Department or HHS oversight, but right now, the funding on these programs are all frozen. That means that all the grantees, contractors, suppliers, etc. that support those programs are without paychecks and have no promise that the programs will restart. Those people will find other work to make ends meet. Many will be severely impacted economically, as those programs were funded by Congress for some fixed term, and people thought that contract was guaranteed by the USG. However, the executive branch is violating contracts by not providing funding. This was definitely an unforeseen outcome for many. I think the impact to the Tier 1 folks (not direct USG employees, but rather those that are contracted by USG) are going to be worse than for USG employees, who may get severance if there's a RIF.

BTW, what will happen with the unemployment numbers if there's a truly a big % RIF and these Tier 1 folks have their funding cut off immediately and permanently?

I guess incrementalism and good planning aren't the orders of the day. Just axe it and let people figure out how to pick up the pieces. Shows a distinct lack of humanity and compassion.

Careful, this starts to sound political.

 

[-OZ-]

When is the thread title going to be updated?

I think about that every time I see it lol

Government employee thread! (Being a government employee is not sweet)

At this point the title is ironic.

 

[-OZ-]

Hopefully the substance of the EO isn’t too political. A few key parts, but please read the EO.

…. The Plan shall require that each agency hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart… This ratio shall not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement.

… This hiring plan shall include that new career appointment hiring decisions shall be made in consultation with the agency’s DOGE Team Lead,

…
(a) This order does not apply to military personnel.
(b) Agency Heads may exempt from this order any position they deem necessary to meet national security, homeland security, or public safety responsibilities.

 

[-OZ-]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

I’m looking through some now. It’s impractical to post the content of many EOs without risking this getting political. But I’d encourage everyone to at least read the titles and see what grabs your attention.

 

[bigbottom]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

I’m looking through some now. It’s impractical to post the content of many EOs without risking this getting political. But I’d encourage everyone to at least read the titles and see what grabs your attention.

Thanks for this. Very interesting. I wasn’t aware we were pausing FCPA enforcement for six months (and possibly another six months beyond that).

 

[Max Power]

Good luck on the RIF everyone. At least it sounds like your organization can suggest loss through attrition which is less impactful to the civilian workforce.

 

[belljr]

Just trying to wrap my head around all of this as a private sector person...

I completely understand the insecurity/not knowing issue as to what's going on. It happens to me every election cycle...will companies stop spending due to materials prices, tariffs, defense spending cuts etc etc.

My question is more about the absolute fear that seems to be overtaking folks in the government sector. I have retired CG friends that think their benefits will just go away. Other friends that aren't sure they will have a job Monday. Student loans just dissappear for those that have kids headed to college....

Isn't this just to trim the fat? Or shift responsibility to states? Is it really just "shut that **** down and let someone else figure it out?" We can't really be talking about just blowing away major government initiatives right? Veterans should always get benefits. Pencil pushers collecting a check doing a 1/2 days honest work from home... not so much.

I know there's been a lot of chest puffing and rhetoric but we aren't talking about never funding education or research or whatever again. Responsibility would just be shifted. Unless I'm mistaken and they are talking about just cut it out completely....

i don't have a political affiliation. I hope Elon is completely ignorant with some of his claims on X. But even if halfway true.... yikes. I just don't even know what to believe at this point. Could the government function with 1/2 the current workforce? 1/3? 1/4?

I say it simply. Most average workers don't have anything political about their job. It's literally providing service to the government entities/services that this country runs on.

It's not specifically what's being done it's how it's being done.

Govt employee gave up some things to gain some things. When layoffs happen in the private sector there is a system in place and hr has information etc. it is done with some type of precision. This is basically slash wherever and whatever and figure it out later. And no one has any answers or the answers keep changing. Our top person had a meeting and basically said he too has no idea or direction.

So everyone is worried because we were doing our jobs one day and became "villains" the next and we have no clue what's going to happen. The political part of this is Congress already agreed to these payments and agencies but that is being "ignored" currently.

If you read the bills being looked at in Congress, everything you mentioned is on the table. Remove pension, remove locality, change your formula, lower your benefits

Btw don't believe all the rumors, our benefits are expensive. I pay 3 times more than what I did at my wife's company

And the new RiF doesn't guarantee the best workers stay. It just removes people based on a formula

My .02. I've been through both private and public. This one's just different than any private one I've gone through.

Eta: I'm very in favor of cutting waste/poor employees. Just fear it's "random"

 

[The Z Machine]

What % of USG employees (excluding defense) are part of collective bargaining agreements? I would think that the USG doing a RIF if there's a CBA in place would be... challenging.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

I’m looking through some now. It’s impractical to post the content of many EOs without risking this getting political. But I’d encourage everyone to at least read the titles and see what grabs your attention.

I appreciate the few that have responded to this rather boring question. I began to wonder about this watching some of the snippet coverage of the signings of them. I figured if the President himself had to be told on every single one of them what he was signing, there was a good chance the people cheering them on and pissing/moaning about them hadn't read them either. I've dug into a few and so far this feels similar to what happened with the lawsuits after the election (sometimes in reverse).

 

[-OZ-]

What % of USG employees (excluding defense) are part of collective bargaining agreements? I would think that the USG doing a RIF if there's a CBA in place would be... challenging.

Why exclude defense? We have CBAs in the Army civilian corps.

. I figured if the President himself had to be told on every single one of them what he was signing

He wouldn’t be the only senior leader to sign stuff without writing it or reading all of it. Usually it’s minor stuff the boss doesn’t want to take time to read, sometimes that includes investigations. I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve briefed a commander on a matter and they signed without really looking. It’s a matter of trusting the right people.

 

[Ilov80s]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

I’m looking through some now. It’s impractical to post the content of many EOs without risking this getting political. But I’d encourage everyone to at least read the titles and see what grabs your attention.

I appreciate the few that have responded to this rather boring question. I began to wonder about this watching some of the snippet coverage of the signings of them. I figured if the President himself had to be told on every single one of them what he was signing, there was a good chance the people cheering them on and pissing/moaning about them hadn't read them either. I've dug into a few and so far this feels similar to what happened with the lawsuits after the election (sometimes in reverse).

Yeah that happens in every job I would think. The higher ups trust you and assume the item is what you said it would be or is something the team believes is needed.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Curious if anyone here has read the corresponding EOs that go with these actions.

I’m looking through some now. It’s impractical to post the content of many EOs without risking this getting political. But I’d encourage everyone to at least read the titles and see what grabs your attention.

I appreciate the few that have responded to this rather boring question. I began to wonder about this watching some of the snippet coverage of the signings of them. I figured if the President himself had to be told on every single one of them what he was signing, there was a good chance the people cheering them on and pissing/moaning about them hadn't read them either. I've dug into a few and so far this feels similar to what happened with the lawsuits after the election (sometimes in reverse).

Yeah that happens in every job I would think. The higher ups trust you and assume the item is what you said it would be or is something the team believes is needed.

This was my first thought followed closely by sheer volume as the reasons. Its on even the biggest ones. I get what you guys are saying. This just seems different and I can't quite put my finger on why.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Hopefully the substance of the EO isn’t too political. A few key parts, but please read the EO.

…. The Plan shall require that each agency hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart… This ratio shall not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement.

… This hiring plan shall include that new career appointment hiring decisions shall be made in consultation with the agency’s DOGE Team Lead,

…
(a) This order does not apply to military personnel.
(b) Agency Heads may exempt from this order any position they deem necessary to meet national security, homeland security, or public safety responsibilities.

is DoD national security???

 

[Gally]

Hopefully the substance of the EO isn’t too political. A few key parts, but please read the EO.

…. The Plan shall require that each agency hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart… This ratio shall not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement.

… This hiring plan shall include that new career appointment hiring decisions shall be made in consultation with the agency’s DOGE Team Lead,

…
(a) This order does not apply to military personnel.
(b) Agency Heads may exempt from this order any position they deem necessary to meet national security, homeland security, or public safety responsibilities.

is DoD national security???

I know my agency is...............not sure about all of DoD but I would think most are.

 

[urbanhack]

To be clear, there's been zero indication of any of this happening to my agency, department or group.

I'm just in my head a lot with all of the talk at work and you know chatter in the Halls, reading stuff online. Doom scrolling

Just a tough time right now and venting

I'm almost concerned about the vacation I have planned next month. It's before the actual shutdown might happen, but still I feel like it's going to be a strike against me

Same with my lady. She just finished her first year at the VA. everyone is on egg shells there. Her boss is also an idiot which is not helping matters.

 

[FBG Moderator]

Please keep this free of politics and conspiracy theory.

 

[-OZ-]

Hopefully the substance of the EO isn’t too political. A few key parts, but please read the EO.

…. The Plan shall require that each agency hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart… This ratio shall not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement.

… This hiring plan shall include that new career appointment hiring decisions shall be made in consultation with the agency’s DOGE Team Lead,

…
(a) This order does not apply to military personnel.
(b) Agency Heads may exempt from this order any position they deem necessary to meet national security, homeland security, or public safety responsibilities.

is DoD national security???

I’d sure think so. I mean that’s literally the mission.

Our mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.

Our Story

The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation’s security.

www.defense.gov

 

[bcat01]

Not sure where to put this, but this is to comical.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/el...eral-workers-retirement-papers-like-time-warp