Federal Gov't Opening 2 hours Late Monday (contractors, bill, golf)

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Amen 1,000 times. Work expands to fill the time allotted.

In fact, since Obama has put the kibosh on COL increases for federal employees (even though SES and political appointees [all of whom make well over 100K] still get their yearly five-figure bonuses), giving us more days off would be a nice way to make up for that without costing the taxpayers a dime.

People talk about how golden the government benefits are; I was suprised after joining that they're not nearly as good as some of the benefits I had at various trade associations. I get less time off and pay more for my insurance as a fed than I did at my last job. I'm just hoping the federal retirement (FERS) makes it all worth it.

I'm not sure why everyone thinks it's so wonderful either. Certainly, CSRS was pretty good but it's gone. FERS is *something* but it probably won't be worth it.

Just wondering though--how does giving us a few days off not cost the taxpayers anything. I just took 3 hours of administrative leave today that I'm sure some taxpayer paid for!! Well, probably not in my case since my salary is not paid from the President's budget but you get my drift...

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Just wondering though--how does giving us a few days off not cost the taxpayers anything. I just took 3 hours of administrative leave today that I'm sure some taxpayer paid for!!

Bite thy tongue, Judas!



What I mean is that most of us are salaried, so our pay is a fixed expense. The taxpayers are paying for the work to get done. If we get it done in less time, we're not paid less money.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I just took 3 hours of administrative leave today that I'm sure some taxpayer paid for!! .

But if the same amount of work gets done, and the same exact deadlines get met whether you went in at 9 or you went in at 11, then the taxpayer gets what he paid for.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Bite thy tongue, Judas!



What I mean is that most of us are salaried, so our pay is a fixed expense. The taxpayers are paying for the work to get done. If we get it done in less time, we're not paid less money.

Got it! I am only working 5 hours today and cannot hope to achieve all my work that I would have gotten done in 8 hours but it will still get done in the end. I'm really just mad at myself for coming in late. It's the first time that I've "taken advantage" of a late arrival and I feel horribly guilty. The other times I've come in, I've been just about totally alone so I took my time today. I can't believe the number of people that pushed it right to 11:00 a.m. Kind of irritates me.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by Caladium

But if the same amount of work gets done, and the same exact deadlines get met whether you went in at 9 or you went in at 11, then the taxpayer gets what he paid for.

Exactly.

Now there IS a group of federal employees who take so many vacations that they barely accomplish anything, despite being paid a ton of money. Rhymes with "songstress."

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Got it! I am only working 5 hours today and cannot hope to achieve all my work that I would have gotten done in 8 hours but it will still get done in the end. I'm really just mad at myself for coming in late. It's the first time that I've "taken advantage" of a late arrival and I feel horribly guilty. The other times I've come in, I've been just about totally alone so I took my time today. I can't believe the number of people that pushed it right to 11:00 a.m. Kind of irritates me.

See, now I feel guilty for even jokingly criticizing you. [Emoticon for "hangs head in shame."]

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Caladium

But if the same amount of work gets done, and the same exact deadlines get met whether you went in at 9 or you went in at 11, then the taxpayer gets what he paid for.

Exactly. It's about time-management, and not merely time.

One thing that is problematic with this is the inability to meet with people from other departments. Sometimes it's hard to schedule meetings in the first place and things like this delay them.

[Smoke_Jaguar4]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I'm not sure why everyone thinks it's so wonderful either. Certainly, CSRS was pretty good but it's gone. FERS is *something* but it probably won't be worth it.

Just wondering though--how does giving us a few days off not cost the taxpayers anything. I just took 3 hours of administrative leave today that I'm sure some taxpayer paid for!! Well, probably not in my case since my salary is not paid from the President's budget but you get my drift...

This makes up for at least one 10+ hour day I've put in and didn't submit for overtime.

Aside from admin leave, a lot of us are on unscheduled telework. I'm on TW a good chunk of the time anyway, so for me this is no big change. Frankly, I'm usually more productive when I'm out of the office and away from distractions.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Smoke_Jaguar4

This makes up for at least one 10+ hour day I've put in and didn't submit for overtime.

Aside from admin leave, a lot of us are on unscheduled telework. I'm on TW a good chunk of the time anyway, so for me this is no big change. Frankly, I'm usually more productive when I'm out of the office and away from distractions.

Yes, there's that. I do a lot of work on my own time (30 minutes here and there) that I don't put in hours for.

I will be starting the telework thing soon. We've been barred from doing it because of our computer system but they've finally devised a way to make it happen so I will start the testing phase this week. Can't wait.

[Caladium]

Speaking about meetings, one lesson learned from all this is to e-mail yourself phone numbers for any dial in meetings that you can make from home. If you have the number handy, then the next time this happens you can still dial in to the meeting from home.

[car54]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

...People talk about how golden the government benefits are; I was surprised after joining that they're not nearly as good as some of the benefits I had at various trade associations. I get less time off and pay more for my insurance as a fed than I did at my last job. I'm just hoping the federal retirement (FERS) makes it all worth it.

This happens every time the economy tanks. I used to have to listen to private-sector buddies brag about their company-paid golf outings to Scotland, Christmas in Cancun, etc. Now I have to listen to what a leech I am for collecting my Federal pension.

But don't worry...if/when the economy rebounds, we'll go back to being suckers for choosing a career with Uncle.